KnowledgeLedger - An opensource decentralized Learning and Development Protocol empowering learning in the digital era

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Balasubramanian Krishnan

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

bkrishnan@nuvedalearning.com

Additional applicants

Venkat Balasubramanian

Deepak S.

Guruprasad Narvekar

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

7

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

Konma Labz will provide web3 services to the proposed project

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Dev Tools, API or Library

[METADATA] SDG rating

1. SDG 4: Quality Education - dL&D aims to provide quality education and equal learning opportunities for all learners, regardless of their background or location.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality - dL&D can contribute to reducing gender disparities in education by promoting equal access to learning resources and opportunities.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - dL&D harnesses blockchain technology and AI/ML algorithms to create innovative and decentralized solutions for the learning and development industry.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - By promoting equal access to education and personalized learning experiences, dL&D helps reduce inequalities in the educational landscape.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - dL&D fosters collaboration and partnerships among learners, educators, and stakeholders to achieve common goals and promote sustainable development in the learning ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The proposed dL&D (Decentralized Learning & Development) protocol addresses the problem of limited access to quality and personalized learning experiences in the existing L&D industry. We approach this problem by leveraging decentralization, AI/ML algorithms, and blockchain technology to create an inclusive and learner-centric platform.

Our project will engage learners, educators, content creators, and the broader Blockchain community. Learners will benefit from personalized learning paths, peer-to-peer collaboration, and verified achievements. Educators can create and distribute content while being rewarded directly by learners. Content creators will have a decentralized marketplace to showcase and monetize their resources.

What sets our solution apart is its decentralized nature, which ensures learner data ownership, privacy, and security. Learners can control their learning journey and access a wide range of high-quality resources.

This solution is crucial for Cardano as it aligns with its vision of empowering individuals and fostering a vibrant ecosystem. By promoting open-source principles and community collaboration, dL&D contributes to the growth and adoption of Cardano. It enhances education for development, supports lifelong learning, and strengthens the Cardano ecosystem as a whole.

To demonstrate impact, we will track user engagement, learning outcomes, and feedback. We will measure learner satisfaction, skill development, and the creation of a robust learning community. Additionally, we will collect testimonials, conduct surveys, and leverage data analytics to assess the effectiveness and positive impact of the dL&D protocol.

Overall, our unique solution empowers learners, enables educators, and fosters a collaborative environment that promotes equitable access to education. By leveraging the strengths of Cardano, we aim to revolutionize the learning and development landscape, bringing about positive change for individuals and the wider Cardano community.

Social Impact

• Democratization of Learning: By decentralizing learning and development, the protocol can make educational resources accessible to a wider audience, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status. This can help reduce educational disparities and promote social equity.

• Transparency and Trust: The use of blockchain technology ensures that all transactions (like the issuance of certificates or badges) are transparent and immutable. This can increase trust in the system, particularly in regions where educational fraud is a concern.

• Incentivized Learning: The protocol's incentivization mechanisms can motivate learners to engage more actively in their education. This can lead to better learning outcomes and a more educated society.

Technical Impact

• User Acceptance: The success of the protocol depends on its acceptance by learners, educators, and institutions. Social factors like cultural attitudes towards technology, trust in blockchain systems, and comfort with digital learning will influence user acceptance.

• Regulatory Environment: Laws and regulations around data privacy, blockchain technology, and digital learning can impact the development and implementation of the protocol. The protocol must be designed to comply with these regulations.

• Digital Divide: While the protocol aims to democratize learning, it's important to consider that not everyone has equal access to the necessary technology. Efforts should be made to address this digital divide to ensure the protocol is truly inclusive.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed solution, dL&D, addresses the goal of "Developing common tools, frameworks, core infrastructures, or proof of concepts on the Cardano blockchain" by introducing a decentralized protocol that enables personalized learning, learner engagement, and effective skill development for knowledge acquisition.

By building the dL&D protocol on the Cardano blockchain, we contribute to the development of common tools and frameworks within the Cardano ecosystem. The protocol serves as a core infrastructure that provides a decentralized and transparent learning environment, facilitating the creation and distribution of learning content, tracking and verifying learning achievements, and enabling peer-to-peer learning.

Furthermore, dL&D serves as a proof of concept for the application of blockchain technology in the education sector. It demonstrates the potential of Cardano as a platform for building decentralized learning solutions and showcases the scalability, security, and efficiency of the Cardano blockchain.

Through the dL&D protocol, we aim to establish a robust and interoperable framework that can be adopted and utilized by various stakeholders within the Cardano ecosystem. This includes learners, educators, content creators, and developers who can leverage the protocol to create innovative learning experiences, contribute to the growth of the ecosystem, and drive the adoption of Cardano as a platform for decentralized learning and development.

The deployment of the dL&D protocol on the Cardano blockchain is expected to bring significant impact to the Cardano ecosystem. Here are the potential impacts:

• Increased User Engagement: With the integration of the dL&D protocol into the existing L&D platform, we anticipate a substantial increase in user engagement. The decentralized nature of the protocol and its unique features, such as personalized learning paths and peer-to-peer interaction, will attract learners, educators, and content creators to join the Cardano ecosystem. We expect a significant number of users to actively participate in learning activities, contributing to a vibrant and thriving community.

• Expansion of the Cardano Community: By providing a decentralized and inclusive learning environment, dL&D has the potential to attract new users to the Cardano ecosystem. The availability of high-quality learning content, personalized learning paths, and a collaborative learning community will make Cardano an attractive platform for individuals seeking to acquire new skills and knowledge. This will lead to the growth of the Cardano community and an increase in the number of active participants.

• Increased Transactions on the Cardano Blockchain: As users engage with the dL&D protocol, there will be a corresponding increase in transactions on the Cardano blockchain. These transactions will include the exchange of value for learning content, issuance and verification of micro-credentials, and participation in peer-to-peer learning sessions. The increased transaction volume will contribute to the overall utilization and adoption of the Cardano blockchain.

• Strengthening the Ecosystem: The integration of dL&D will enhance the overall strength and resilience of the Cardano ecosystem. The protocol's decentralized nature, combined with the security and scalability of the Cardano blockchain, will provide a reliable and trustworthy learning infrastructure. This will attract more developers and stakeholders to contribute to the ecosystem, further expanding the range of educational offerings and driving innovation in decentralized learning solutions.

While it is challenging to provide specific quantitative metrics at this stage, we anticipate a substantial increase in the number of users and transactions on the Cardano blockchain shortly after the deployment of the dL&D protocol. The existing user base of the L&D platform provides a strong foundation for driving user adoption and transactional activity. As the platform gains momentum and awareness, we expect to see a growing number of users and transactions, further strengthening the Cardano ecosystem and its position as a leading blockchain platform for decentralized learning and development.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

To measure the success of the dL&D project, we will employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics that reflect the project's benefits for the Cardano ecosystem. Here are the measures we intend to use:

• User Adoption and Engagement: We will track the number of users who actively participate in the dL&D platform, including learners, educators, and content creators. We will measure user engagement metrics such as the frequency of interactions, time spent on the platform, and user feedback to gauge the level of satisfaction and the effectiveness of the learning experiences provided. Additionally, we will gather qualitative feedback through user surveys and interviews to understand the impact of the platform on users' learning journeys and their opinions about the quality of content and the overall user experience.

• Transaction Volume: We will monitor the number and value of transactions occurring on the Cardano blockchain related to the dL&D platform. This includes transactions for accessing learning content, issuing and verifying micro-credentials, and participating in peer-to-peer learning sessions. By tracking transaction volume, we can assess the level of economic activity and value exchange happening within the ecosystem. This metric reflects the growth and utilization of the Cardano blockchain for learning and development purposes.

• Community Growth and Collaboration: We will measure the growth of the Cardano community through metrics such as the number of new community members, active contributors, and collaborative initiatives within the dL&D platform. By fostering a strong and inclusive community, we aim to create an environment that promotes knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation. We will also monitor community engagement metrics such as forum discussions, contributions to open-source projects, and participation in learning events organized within the ecosystem.

• Ecosystem Expansion: We will assess the impact of the dL&D project on the expansion of the Cardano ecosystem. This includes tracking the number of new projects or initiatives built on top of the dL&D protocol, partnerships formed with educational institutions or organizations, and the integration of the protocol into other educational platforms or systems. These measures demonstrate the ecosystem's productivity and growth, as well as its ability to attract new stakeholders and foster innovation in the field of decentralized learning.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We have plans to share the outcomes and results of the dL&D project with various stakeholders to ensure its wider impact. Here's how we will do it:

• Documentation and Reports: We will create clear documents and reports summarizing the project's goals, methods, findings, and outcomes. These materials will be publicly available on our website, open-source platforms, and community forums.

• Engaging the Community: We will keep the Cardano community updated through regular updates, blog posts, and social media. We will share progress reports, success stories, and important milestones. We will also organize webinars, Q&A sessions, and workshops to gather feedback and suggestions from the community.

• Partnerships and Collaborations: We will partner with educational institutions, industry organizations, and other stakeholders in the learning and development field. Together, we will share the project's outputs and results with educators, learners, policymakers, and researchers. We will work on joint research projects, pilot programs, and integrate the dL&D protocol into existing educational systems.

• Research and Development: The results from the dL&D project will serve as a foundation for further research and development. We will analyze user behaviors, learning patterns, and the effectiveness of personalized learning paths. We will contribute to academic conferences, publications, and research communities to share our findings and collaborate with others.

• Integration into Education: We will explore opportunities to integrate the dL&D protocol into existing educational systems. This includes partnerships with learning management systems, educational content platforms, and online course providers. By integrating the protocol, we can extend its benefits to a larger user base and contribute to the improvement of traditional education.

Our plans aim to reach a wide audience, including the Cardano community, educators, learners, researchers, and policymakers. We want to inspire innovation, collaboration, and the adoption of decentralized learning and development practices within and beyond the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

NuVeda has a proven track record in delivering Learning & Development Solutions, demonstrated by its successful partnerships and global client base. Our platform's features, scalability, and technical expertise have garnered praise from satisfied customers worldwide. With EMURGO Academy running courses on our platform, we have established trust in managing educational programs effectively. Furthermore, our experience in managing funds, generating revenues, and providing transparent reporting ensures high levels of trust and accountability in handling project funds.

In addition to NuVeda's capabilities, our project team includes Konma Labz, the R&D wing of Konma Org. Konma Labz brings extensive expertise in building various blockchain solutions on EVM and has a robust Haskell talent pool. This technical proficiency enables us to develop and implement the decentralized L&D protocol on the Cardano blockchain with a deep understanding of blockchain technology and its application in the education sector. With our combined strengths, we are well-equipped to deliver the project with high levels of trust and accountability, ensuring efficient management of funds throughout the project lifecycle.

NuVeda Pitch Deck: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Jie8B2A5Yy5tI8_ckw_zMjxZRwq0c5D/view?usp=sharing

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goal of our proposal is to develop a decentralized Learning & Development protocol using smart contracts and APIs for seamless integration with the user interfaces. We have identified the following objectives for our project:

Objective 1 : Design and implement the smart contracts:

• We will create smart contracts such as the Data Ownership Contract, Content Creation and Distribution Contract, Learning Achievement Tracking Contract, Personalized Learning Path Contract, and marketplace contracts.
• Our aim is to ensure these smart contracts are secure, efficient, and can work well with the Cardano blockchain.

Objective 2 : Develop the necessary APIs:

• We'll be building APIs like the User Management API, Content API, Learning Achievement API, and others.
• These APIs will enable smooth integration between the smart contracts and the user interface.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we have the following measures in place:

• Technical feasibility:
• We will extensively test and debug the smart contracts and APIs.
• Compatibility with the Cardano blockchain will be thoroughly assessed.
• We will seek feedback from technical experts and the community to ensure our solution is technically feasible.
• User acceptance and usability:
• User testing will be conducted to gather feedback on the usability and functionality of our integrated solution.
• We will carefully analyze user feedback to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
• Security and reliability:
• We'll perform thorough security audits to identify and address any vulnerabilities.
• Best practices for data protection and privacy will be implemented.
• Ongoing monitoring and enhancements will ensure the security and reliability of our protocol.

We consider our goals achieved if we successfully implement the smart contracts and APIs, achieve seamless integration with the user interfaces, and receive positive feedback from users and technical experts. The feasibility and success of our approach will be measured based on functional performance, security measures, user satisfaction, and the overall impact on the Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Smart Contract Development

• Task 1: Design the structure and functionality of each smart contract.
• Task 2: Implement the smart contracts using Plutus and Haskell.
• Task 3: Test the smart contracts for functionality and security.
• Timeline: Month 1-3
• Success Criteria: All smart contracts implemented and passing rigorous testing.

Milestone 2: API Development

• Task 1: Identify the required APIs based on the smart contract functionalities.
• Task 2: Design and develop the APIs for seamless integration with the user interface.
• Task 3: Test the APIs for compatibility and functionality.
• Timeline: Month 4-5
• Success Criteria: All APIs developed and successfully integrated with the smart contracts and user interface.

Milestone 3: Integration and Testing

• Task 1: Integrate the smart contracts and APIs with the existing user interface.
• Task 2: Conduct thorough testing of the integrated solution for functionality, performance, and security.
• Task 3: Address any issues or bugs identified during the testing phase.
• Timeline: Month 5-6
• Success Criteria: Integrated solution tested and running smoothly without any major issues.

Milestone 4: User Acceptance Testing and Refinement

• Task 1: Invite a group of users to test the dL&D protocol and provide feedback.
• Task 2: Analyze user feedback and make necessary refinements to improve user experience.
• Task 3: Conduct additional rounds of testing and refinements based on user feedback.
• Timeline: Month 6-7
• Success Criteria: Positive user feedback, improved user experience, and a refined dL&D protocol.

Overall Project Management Approach:

• Agile project management methodology will be employed, allowing for flexibility and iterative development. To track the project progress: https://konmaio.notion.site/An-opensource-decentralized-Learning-and-Development-Protocol-empowering-learning-in-the-digital-era-1f776c4fe4cf4dd6831347bd626a4c68?pvs=4
• Regular communication and collaboration among the project team members will be ensured.
• Milestone progress will be tracked and reported regularly to stakeholders.
• Risks and challenges will be identified and mitigated throughout the project lifecycle.
• Community contribution will be an integral part of the Project management process, which will be tracked on Dework, for bounty base work follow: https://app.dework.xyz/konma-dao/decentralized-landd/overview
• Regular community updates, project updates and bounty based gigs will be available on the Konmahood Space.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Smart Contract Development

• Deliverables: Deployed and functioning smart contracts (Data Ownership Contract, Content Creation and Distribution Contract, Learning Achievement Tracking Contract, etc.).
• Outputs: Secure and immutable data ownership, streamlined content creation and distribution, accurate tracking of learning achievements.
• Intended outcomes: Improved transparency, efficiency, and trust in the learning and development process.
• Measurement: The successful deployment and functioning of the smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain will be measured by conducting thorough testing and verification.

Milestone 2: API Development

• Deliverables: Fully functional User Management API, Content API, Learning Achievement API, and other relevant APIs.
• Outputs: Seamless integration between the smart contracts and the existing user interface, efficient data retrieval and processing.
• Intended outcomes: Enhanced user experience, improved accessibility of learning resources and achievements.
• Measurement: The successful implementation and testing of the APIs will be measured by conducting API testing, monitoring performance, and collecting user feedback.

Milestone 3: Integration and Testing

• Deliverables: Integrated solution of smart contracts and APIs with the user interface.
• Outputs: Robust and user-friendly dL&D platform with comprehensive functionalities.
• Intended outcomes: Seamless user interaction, smooth navigation, and reliable system performance.
• Measurement: The successful integration and comprehensive testing will be measured by conducting end-to-end testing, identifying and resolving any integration issues, and collecting user feedback on the system's functionality.

Milestone 4: User Acceptance Testing and Feedback

• Deliverables: User acceptance testing reports, feedback analysis, and implementation of necessary improvements.
• Outputs: Actionable insights to enhance user experience and address any usability issues.
• Intended outcomes: High user satisfaction, improved system usability, and adoption.
• Measurement: User feedback will be collected through surveys, interviews, and user testing sessions. The project team will analyze the feedback and measure the level of satisfaction and acceptance among users.

Milestone 5: Security Audit and Enhancements

• Deliverables: Security audit reports, implemented enhancements to address vulnerabilities.
• Outputs: Enhanced security measures, identification and mitigation of potential risks.
• Intended outcomes: Robust security infrastructure, protection of user data and transactions.
• Measurement: The successful completion of security audits and implementation of necessary enhancements will be measured by conducting security tests, vulnerability assessments, and adherence to industry best practices.

Milestone 6: Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

• Deliverables: Comprehensive technical documentation, user guides, blog posts, tutorials.
• Outputs: Well-documented project materials, accessible knowledge resources for the Cardano community.
• Intended outcomes: Increased awareness and understanding of the dL&D protocol, knowledge sharing among developers and users.
• Measurement: The successful completion of documentation and knowledge sharing will be measured by assessing the quality and comprehensiveness of the materials produced, as well as the engagement and feedback received from the Cardano community.

The progress of the project will be tracked by monitoring the completion of deliverables, conducting user feedback sessions, tracking user adoption and engagement metrics, and evaluating the overall impact on the learning and development ecosystem within the Cardano community.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Here's a detailed budget breakdown for the proposed work of the dL&D protocol with a total of 300,000 ADA:

• Smart Contract Development:
• Development resources: 80,000 ADA
• Code auditing services: 20,000 ADA
• API Development:
• Development resources: 50,000 ADA
• Software licenses: 10,000 ADA
• Integration and Testing:
• Integration resources: 25,000 ADA
• Testing resources: 15,000 ADA
• User Acceptance Testing and Refinement:
• User testing resources: 25,000 ADA
• Refinement and improvements: 20,000 ADA
• Publicity/Marketing/Promotion/Community Engagement:
• Community engagement activities: 15,000 ADA
• Marketing and promotion expenses: 15,000 ADA
• Project Management:
• Project management resources: 15,000 ADA
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Documentation resources: 7,000 ADA
• Reporting expenses: 3,000 ADA

Total Budget: 300,000 ADA

Please note that the budget breakdown is an estimate and subject to change based on factors such as market conditions, resource requirements, and project scope adjustments. The exact allocation of funds can be adjusted based on the specific needs and priorities of the project. The project team will be responsible for managing the funds provided and ensuring efficient use of the budget throughout the project implementation.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the "Knowledge Ledger" project is a strategic investment for the Cardano ecosystem, considering the potential benefits and long-term value it can bring. Here's how the project represents value for money:

• Enhanced Ecosystem: The project aims to create a decentralized learning and development protocol, which can attract a diverse range of stakeholders, including learners, educators, and institutions. This can lead to an enriched Cardano ecosystem with increased user engagement and transaction volume.
• Innovation and Growth: The project's focus on open-source collaboration and incentivized learning can drive innovation and growth within the Cardano community. This can enhance the reputation of Cardano as a leading platform for decentralized applications.
• Long-Term Value: While the upfront costs might seem high, the project is designed to deliver long-term value. The protocol's potential to democratize education and foster a more educated and engaged community can lead to sustained growth and development within the Cardano ecosystem.

The costs of the project have been calculated based on the complexity of the tasks involved, the expertise required, and the time needed to complete the project. They are in line with the average wage for blockchain developers and educators based on global standards, and typical rates for similar projects in the blockchain industry. The budget also includes costs for testing, documentation, community engagement, and maintenance, ensuring the project's success and sustainability.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept