Revolutionising Education: Unleashing the Power of Web3 Education for a Brighter Tomorrow!

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nathan Barkell

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co proposers and Additional applicants

Castle Digital is an industry leading independent software development company whom we have recruited to build our education platform. They are highly reputable having done work for several large companies including Bunnings Warehouse, AGL, Suncorp Bank and Linfox Transport. They are at a cross-roads their transition from Web2 to Web3 with us being their first clients in the space. Their mission is to elevate business performance and user experiences through the strategic delivery of finely crafted digital solutions. They achieve this by employing a human-centered design process, ensuring intuitive, effective, and engaging user experiences. Their focus extends to the development of performant, robust, and extensible platforms, ensuring sustainability for the future. Anchored in a culture of design thinking and lean experimentation, we leverage proven frameworks to foster innovation and drive optimal outcomes. This partnership is bound to benefit both entities and is a critical part of our determination to build a product of serious consequence.

https://castledigital.com.au/

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

140000

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

9

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Revolutionary crypto and web3 education platform, bridging knowledge gaps, fostering learning, and empowering users of all ages globally.

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

No

[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.”

No dependencies

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

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

This decision is driven by our commitment to deliver a secure and tailored experience for our users. However, we recognise the importance of collaboration and transparency. While the core platform may not be open source, we aim to share educational content openly and explore possibilities for open-sourcing specific components where community involvement can enhance the project. Our intention is to balance innovation, security, and community collaboration in the best interest of our users. We also intend to offer our software as a service to projects as such our outputs will not be entirely open source.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution is a ground breaking education platform built on the Cardano blockchain. We identify a critical gap in the accessibility of comprehensive cryptocurrency and web3 education, a gap we are eager to fill. Leveraging the unique features of Cardano, we aim to provide a decentralised, secure, and transparent educational ecosystem that empowers individuals of all ages.

 

Decentralised Learning: Our platform goes beyond conventional educational models by harnessing the power of Cardano's blockchain for transparent and decentralized learning. This innovative approach ensures the authenticity and immutability of educational records, allowing students to have verifiable credentials. By embracing decentralized learning, we empower students to take control of their educational journey, contributing to a future where individuals have ownership of their achievements and experiences.

 

Innovative Curriculum: We're dedicated to crafting a curriculum that extends beyond the basics of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Our educational content delves into the broader implications of blockchain technology, providing users with a comprehensive understanding of the web3 landscape. This forward-thinking curriculum not only prepares students for the current crypto landscape but also equips them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the ever-evolving technological landscape, fostering a sense of empowerment and adaptability.

 

Community Involvement: We firmly believe in the strength of community collaboration. Our platform actively engages educators, students, and enthusiasts, creating an inclusive space for shared knowledge and experiences. By fostering a collaborative environment, we aim to build a vibrant community that not only learns from the platform but also contributes to its growth. Through community involvement, we envision a dynamic ecosystem where individuals actively participate in shaping the future of education within the Cardano community.

 

Impact Measurement: At the heart of our mission is the commitment to measure and demonstrate impact. We plan to track and quantify our influence by monitoring key metrics such as user engagement, educational milestones achieved, and the overall growth of an informed community within the Cardano ecosystem. By providing transparent metrics, we seek to showcase the tangible benefits our platform brings to students, educators, and the broader community. Through rigorous impact measurement, we aim to continually refine and enhance our offerings for a more effective and meaningful educational experience.

 

Uniqueness and Benefits: What sets our solution apart is that it is being designed and developed from the ground up by professional educators that understand how the school system and curriculum work so that it can be easily integrated with schools around the world. Our unique gamification engine based on the principles of skinners box, will drive adoption and repeat usage of the platform over time, turning students into lifelong learners, and helping then understand why and how to enter the Cardano ecosystem. Getting high schools to adopt new ways of learning can be challenging without deep domain knowledge and an extensive network of contacts and partnerships. We have a unique partnership with one of the worlds leading software platforms for schools, Schoolzine, that have a dominant position in Australia, with over 15% of all public and private schools. Schoolzine also operates in multiple countries including NZ, UK, Thailand, Ireland and Europe. This combined with the teams extensive professional networks will drive significant early adoption and growth opportunities around the world.

 

Target Audience: Our primary target market is high schools, where there are more than 600M students globally. We have market tested the value proposition with high schools in Australia and have received very positive feedback and already have several schools that want to sign up to the platform. Our partnership with Schoolzine gives us access to over 1,500 schools in Australia as well as many international markets. Australia alone has over 4 million students, and over 1.6M high school students.

 

Our secondary target market includes anybody that is interested in learning about blockchain and Cardano, as well as projects within the ecosystem such as NFT projects that can white label the platform and use it to better communicate with their communities and new prospects about their project in a simple, streamlined, and cost-effective manner. As we get beyond MVP it is also envisioned that content creators will be able to build discrete education/learning businesses through the platform and generate income through a revenue sharing model.

 

Significance for Cardano: Our education platform not only embodies Cardano's dedication to decentralized and sustainable solutions but also positions Cardano as a trailblazer in advancing blockchain education. Recognizing the pivotal role of an informed community in the success and resilience of any blockchain network, NFDevils is poised to be a cornerstone in realizing this vision. Through the dissemination of blockchain knowledge, we contribute not only to the growth of Cardano but also to the broader narrative of blockchain adoption and understanding.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Global Education and Adoption: Our influence will transcend the confines of the existing Cardano community, extending globally. We assume a pivotal role in educating and promoting the adoption of Cardano on a worldwide scale. Through engaging and accessible content on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and blockchain technology, we will empower individuals across the globe to grasp and embrace the Cardano ecosystem. This approach significantly contributes to heightened global awareness and adoption, broadening the reach of Cardano far beyond its current boundaries.

 

Empowering Global Communities: Recognising the universal importance of an informed community, our platform will ensure that individuals worldwide, irrespective of their prior experience, acquire the knowledge needed to navigate and contribute effectively to various blockchain ecosystems. By fostering active and engaged global communities, we aim to empower individuals globally, emphasising the collective strength that informed and connected communities bring to the world of blockchain.

 

Global Implementation of Smart Contracts and Blockchain Technology: Through the leverage of Cardano's blockchain, our platform will deploy smart contracts for transparent and automated processes. This enhances security and ensures that operations are globally verifiable and trustworthy. By pioneering the global implementation of blockchain technology, we contribute to the evolution of digital trust mechanisms on a worldwide scale.

 

Decentralised Learning on a Global Scale: Embracing Cardano's blockchain for decentralised learning, we establish transparent and verifiable educational records globally. This approach not only fosters trust in the educational process but also aligns with Cardano's commitment to decentralisation and transparency. Serving as a model for global educational systems, our platform champions the cause of decentralised learning on a global scale.

 

Enhancing Global Blockchain Literacy: Our commitment extends to enhancing blockchain literacy worldwide. Beyond the fundamentals of cryptocurrencies, our platform will delve into the broader implications of blockchain technology. This provides users worldwide with a comprehensive understanding of the web3 landscape, contributing to the global community's capacity to innovate and create within diverse blockchain ecosystems.

 

Global Recognition for Cardano: As our platform solidifies its position as a global hub for quality education, it will elevate the overall image of Cardano in the blockchain space. This positive cycle of growth and development extends beyond the Cardano community, resonating globally and attracting individuals and projects from various corners of the world. In doing so, we position Cardano as a recognised and respected player in the broader global blockchain landscape.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Expertise and Experience:

·     Educational Prowess: Our team is composed of seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of experience in education, technology, and blockchain. With backgrounds spanning these diverse fields, our members have a proven track record of success, demonstrating the expertise needed to effectively execute the project.

·     Holistic Skill Set: The amalgamation of skills within our team ensures a holistic approach to addressing the challenges and complexities inherent in merging education and blockchain technology. This diverse skill set positions us as a capable and knowledgeable entity in the field.

 

Transparent Governance:

·     Regular Updates: Transparent governance is foundational to our approach. We are committed to providing regular updates to our community, ensuring that stakeholders are well-informed about the project's progress, challenges, and future plans.

·     Community Involvement: Community participation is a cornerstone of our governance model. We believe in engaging with stakeholders, listening to their feedback, and incorporating their insights into decision-making processes. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of shared ownership and accountability.

 

Smart Contracts and Blockchain Technology:

·     Enhanced Security: Leveraging Cardano's blockchain, we implement smart contracts to introduce transparency and automation to various processes. This not only enhances the security of our platform but also ensures that every operation is verifiable, contributing to a trustable and tamper-proof educational environment.

 

Community Feedback and Iteration:

·     Engagement Channels: We prioritise regular engagement with our community to gather valuable feedback. Through various communication channels, including forums, social media, and direct interactions, we encourage users to share their thoughts, suggestions, and concerns.

·     Iterative Development: Embracing an iterative development process, we use community feedback to refine and enhance our platform continually. This approach ensures that the platform evolves in response to real-world usage and the changing needs of our user base.

 

Pilots and Testing:

·     Thorough Testing Phases: Before a full-scale launch, we plan to conduct comprehensive pilot programs and testing phases. This involves assessing different aspects of the platform, from user interfaces to the delivery of educational content.

·     Validation of Approach: The testing process serves as a critical step in validating the feasibility of our approach. By gathering insights from pilot programs, we identify areas of success and potential improvement, ensuring that the platform meets the highest standards before widespread implementation.

 

Continuous Evaluation and Improvement:

·     Performance Assessments: We are dedicated to continuous evaluation of the platform's performance. Regular assessments, including user satisfaction surveys and educational impact studies, allow us to gauge the effectiveness of our platform and make data-driven decisions.

·     Adaptive Refinements: Ongoing refinements based on evaluations ensure that our project remains dynamic and aligned with its overarching goals. By adapting to changing circumstances and user needs, we guarantee a platform that not only meets but exceeds expectations, providing a cutting-edge educational experience.

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1, Design Finalisation:

Design Finalisation marks the completion of the visual and structural aspects of the platform. All user interfaces, graphics, and layouts have been meticulously crafted to align with the brand identity and ensure optimal user experience.

Milestone 2, Front and Backend Development:

Front and Backend Development is the core phase where the actual platform is constructed. This includes both the client-facing elements (frontend) and the server, database, and application logic (backend).

Milestone 3, User Experience and Technical Review:

This milestone focuses on reviewing the platform comprehensively. User Experience (UX) is examined to ensure it aligns with design principles, while a technical review assesses the robustness, scalability, and security of the entire system.

Milestone 4, Deployment and Handover:

Deployment and Handover signify the transition from development to operational use. The platform is deployed to production servers, and all necessary documentation is handed over for future management.

Final Milestone, Go Live:

Go Live is the culmination of the development process, marking the official launch of the education platform to the public.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Nathan Barkell – CEO – focuses on aligning the platform's goals with the company's mission, overseeing key partnerships, and ensuring the project's success.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-barkell-4879b62a1/

 

Randall D’Souza – COO – manages the operational aspects of platform development, coordinate with different teams, and implement processes to optimize workflow.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-d-souza-710472133/

 

Derek Thompson – CFO - handles budget allocation, financial forecasting for the project, and ensure financial sustainability.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-thomson-20313628a/

 

Luca Cristante – CMO - implements marketing campaigns to promote the platform, engage with the target audience, and build a strong brand presence.

 

Castle Digital – Developers - coding, designing, testing, and implementing the features outlined in the project plan. Their focus would be on ensuring a robust, user-friendly, and secure platform.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/castle-digital-australia/about/

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1&2 – $72,000 AUD

 

Provide a comprehensive design document showcasing wireframes, mockups, and design elements. Present finalised designs for key platform pages, emphasising the aesthetic and functional considerations. Highlight feedback loops with stakeholders and iterations based on user-centric design principles. Showcase a functioning prototype that reflects the finalised designs. Detail the technologies employed in the frontend and backend, emphasising scalability and security. Provide a breakdown of major features implemented during this milestone and present the backend architecture to showcase robustness.

 

Milestone 3 – $54,000 AUD

 

Present detailed UX testing results, highlighting improvements made based on user feedback. Provide a technical review report covering aspects like code quality, security measures implemented, and scalability considerations. Share insights from both internal and external testing, including any challenges faced and resolved.

 

 

Milestone 4 – $27,000 AUD

 

Provide evidence of successful deployment, including server configurations and deployment scripts. Present a comprehensive handover document covering system architecture, maintenance procedures, and troubleshooting guides. Confirm that necessary training has been provided to relevant personnel for ongoing management.

 

Go Live - $27,000 AUD

 

Provide a detailed launch plan that includes communication strategies, user onboarding processes, and ongoing support mechanisms. Showcase user feedback from the initial days of going live and present key performance metrics such as user engagement, platform uptime, and any notable achievements or challenges faced during the launch phase.

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

Comprehensive Design Document (Milestone 1&2 - $72,000 AUD):

·     The design document ensures that the education platform is aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust.

·     Stakeholder feedback loops and user-centric design principles emphasize responsiveness to user needs, improving user satisfaction.

·     A functioning prototype allows stakeholders to visualize the final product and provides opportunities for further refinement.

·     Technologies employed focus on scalability and security, ensuring the long-term viability of the platform.

 

Detailed UX Testing and Technical Review (Milestone 3 - $54,000 AUD):

·     User experience testing results demonstrate a commitment to delivering a platform that meets user expectations.

·     The technical review covers essential aspects like code quality, security, and scalability, ensuring a reliable and efficient system.

·     Insights from testing, both internal and external, reflect a dedication to continuous improvement based on real-world usage.

 

Deployment and Handover (Milestone 4 - $27,000 AUD):

·     Successful deployment, server configurations, and deployment scripts demonstrate a seamless transition to the live environment.

·     The handover document ensures that relevant personnel are equipped with the knowledge to manage and maintain the platform effectively.

 

Go Live (Milestone - $27,000 AUD):

·     A detailed launch plan showcases a strategic approach to communication, onboarding, and ongoing support.

·     User feedback during the initial days of going live provides valuable insights for immediate adjustments.

·     Key performance metrics demonstrate transparency and accountability in delivering a high-quality and reliable platform.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund 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