How crypto can be used in classrooms — and deliver financial literacy

cointelegraph.com:

Cryptocurrencies are often dismissed as vehicles for speculation — an asset class that lacks intrinsic value.

But this is a naive, underdeveloped, and misinformed argument, especially when you consider how digital assets are being used as a modern tool for financial education.

Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey recently teamed up to launch "The Bitcoin Academy," with dedicated classes for children aged 5 to 17.

All of this is very exciting, and it's only the beginning. There are big opportunities for crypto to revamp financial education in the world's classrooms — and compelling applications that extend far beyond telling youngsters who Satoshi Nakamoto is.

Related: What will drive crypto's likely 2024 bull run?

While "crypto classrooms" are something to strive for, there are challenges to overcome. Many educators are just getting to grips with implementing Web2 technology into their day-to-day classes — let alone digital assets.

Fear is a very real barrier, and the perception of crypto as gambling or a high-risk investment will take time to eradicate. Concerns about safety also mean schools are unlikely to devote curriculum space to it.

Despite this, failing education systems are one of the most pressing problems the world has to deal with, apart from climate change and population. Simply put, current education models are not suitably preparing children for the world they are entering.

Eight and nine-year-olds don't need to understand what a blockchain is, or master the nuances between Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake. But practical lessons that focus on the concepts they already understand and building up the principles they need to navigate the 21st-century economy are desperately lacking.

Anyone who has children of this age already