PBA3 Blockchain Tracking Issue

[JoshOrndorff]

For wave 3, the blockchain module will be tightly integrated with the smart contracts module which now happens right after blockchain. That integration is being tracked in #614. This issue will focus on the changes specific to the module 3 content.

• New week 2 assignment
• Expand blockchain from scratch activity - more smart contract coverage, better consensus unit, flesh out client section
• Review all slides figures etc
• Update Academy PoW node
• Probably more that I"m not thinking of right now.

There are no core content structure changes planned. Although we do hope to fit the "Fees and Ordering" lesson this time. It was cut for time sake in BA.

[kianenigma]

In my post-lecture notes from PBA-3, I have twice mentioned:

• again, the STATE IS NOT IN THE BLOCK, it is in the database, linked to a block.

I believe this is covered in this module, and I repeated it Substrate as well, but evidently some still struggle with the concept. A note for you Joshy to perhaps find stronger ways to deliver this message.

[JoshOrndorff]

Lol, I had the students repeat it after me three times in a row. I was already worried I was treating them like kids at that part. I also had them implement header and block types with a state root in the header.

But yeah, I hear you. It is a confusing point, especially because of the phrase "... is stored on chain". And probably this violates the previous not-quite-correct understanding that some students already came with.