Building with Aiken: Project-Based Learning Course for Non-Native English Devs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Tam Hoang Van

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

43500

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

5

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

Yes

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

We will create an Aiken course in a project-based learning approach in our native language, focusing on building various types of dApps on Cardano.

[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?

Yes

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

The entire course content will be provided free to the community.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Problem We Are Addressing

Aiken is currently emerging as a leading programming language for building smart contracts on Cardano. However, there is currently a significant gap in educational resources for this innovative language. As the Cardano ecosystem evolves, it's crucial that we accelerate education in this area. 

After the Chang hardfork, Aiken concluded its alpha phase and launched version v1.1.0, supporting Plutus V3. The language is rapidly evolving, with the current version at v1.1.4 (as of 2024-10-01). This rapid development necessitates up-to-date educational materials that can keep pace with the latest changes and features.

Vietnam: A Promising Market for Cardano

Vietnam represents a significant potential market for Cardano adoption. With a young, tech-savvy population that is open to cryptocurrencies, Vietnam boasts a large pool of developers and an enthusiastic Cardano community. To enhance the contribution of Vietnamese developers to the Cardano ecosystem, we propose to create a free course on developing dApps on Cardano using the Aiken language. This course will initially be delivered in our native language, Vietnamese, to maximize accessibility and impact.

Course Format and Content

Aiken, being a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) designed specifically for building on-chain code for Cardano smart contracts, offers simplified syntax, easily accessible to developers, especially those familiar with functional programming.

• Therefore, our course will not focus heavily on Aiken's syntax but instead focus on:
• Building dApps using Aiken
• Updates to validator creation processes, new features introduced since version v1.1.0
• Building the off-chain component
• Identifying common potential vulnerabilities in smart contracts
• The course will be delivered through a combination of written materials and video content. 
• The course adopts a project-based learning approach, comprising 12 modules. 
• Each module will center around a dApp project, complete with on-chain and off-chain components, accompanied by a simple interface for contract interaction. 
• Cardano smart contract programming model concepts will be integrated into the lessons, allowing learners to immediately apply their knowledge to complete tasks. We will also provide additional resources for further learning.
• Support will be offered through a Telegram group, allowing for student feedback and community interaction. 
• The course will conclude with a final assessment to evaluate understanding.

Planned dApp Projects

• Escrow
• Swap
• Marketplace
• Multisig Treasury
• Stablecoin
• Lending

A comprehensive course outline will be designed and provided in Milestone 1.

Target Audience

• Students and developers interested in blockchain and Cardano
• Blockchain developers looking to transition to the Cardano platform

Expected Outcome

Through this approach, we are confident that the course will attract a significant number of local developers to learn and develop on the Cardano ecosystem. By providing accessible, up-to-date, and practical education in Aiken programming, we aim to foster a new generation of skilled Cardano developers in Vietnam, contributing to the growth and diversity of the global Cardano community.

This initiative aligns with Cardano's mission of democratizing finance and technology, particularly in emerging markets. By empowering local developers with the skills to build on Cardano, we're not just teaching a programming language – we're opening doors to innovation, economic opportunities, and technological advancement in Vietnam and beyond.

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

The project's value to the Cardano community:

• Eliminates language barriers for Vietnamese learners engaging with the Cardano blockchain
• Project-based format stimulates learner interest, promoting active learning over passive knowledge absorption
• Provides dApp templates that students can utilize in their future dApp development projects

Key Metrics to Measure Project Success:

• Number of enrolled students
• Number of students completing the course
• Results of the final assessment

All course content will be provided free of charge to the community.

[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?

We have a proven track record in delivering educational projects focused on smart contract programming on Cardano. Our team has successfully completed two projects in Fund 11:

• Plutus Smart Contracts online course for non-native English developers

• "Together Learning Haskell/Plutus in native language" Club

We are members of the Cardano2vn team, a respected organization in blockchain and Cardano education in Vietnam. Cardano2vn has established strong partnerships with major universities in Vietnam, engaging with a wide network of lecturers and a large student community.

Cardano2vn currently operates an E-learning platform at https://lms.cardano2vn.io/, offering courses on Cardano programming. This established platform will also serve as the hosting environment for our proposed Aiken course.

With the aforementioned experience, we are confident that we possess the necessary expertise, project management skills, and community credibility to successfully execute this project.

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

Duration: 1 month

Milestone Outputs:

• Research and design of course content
• Release of first 2 modules

Acceptance Criteria:

• The course is published on the Learning Management System, providing course content and the first 2 modules.

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Course content is available on the Learning Management System
• The first 2 lessons are accessible on the Learning Management System
• Github source code repository with the first 2 modules
• Lecture videos are uploaded to the YouTube channel

Duration: 1 month

Milestone Outputs:

Release of modules 3-5

Acceptance Criteria:

Modules 3-5 are released on the Learning Management System

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Modules 3-5 are accessible on the Learning Management System
• The source code for Modules 3-5 is updated on the GitHub repository
• Lecture videos of modules 3-5 are uploaded to the YouTube channel

Duration: 1 month

Milestone Outputs:

• Release of modules 6-8

Acceptance Criteria:

• Modules 6-8 are released on the Learning Management System

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Modules 6-8 are accessible on the Learning Management System
• The source code for Modules 6-8 is updated on the GitHub repository
• Lecture videos of modules 6-8 are uploaded to the YouTube channel

Duration: 1 month

Milestone Outputs:

• Release of modules 9-11

Acceptance Criteria:

• Modules 9-11 are released on the Learning Management System

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Modules 9-11 are accessible on the Learning Management System
• The source code for Modules 9-11 is updated on the GitHub repository
• Lecture videos of modules 9-11 are uploaded to the YouTube channel

Duration: 1 month

Milestone Outputs:

• Release of module 12
• Design and implementation of the final course assessment
• Final Closeout Report & Video

Acceptance Criteria:

• Module 12 are released on the Learning Management System
• The final course assessment test is implemented
• Final Closeout Report & Video

Evidence of Milestone Completion:

• Module 12 are accessible on the Learning Management System
• The source code for Module 12 is updated on the GitHub repository
• Lecture videos of module 12 are uploaded to the YouTube channel 
• Results of the final assessment are published in a Google Sheet (without disclosing sensitive information of students)
• Final Closeout Report & Video

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

Tam Hoang Van

• Role in this project: Project Manager, Instructor
• Plutus Pioneer Program (IOG Academy) completion certificate
• Cardano Haskell Developer course (Emurgo Academy) completion certificate
• Cardano Foundation's CBCA completion certificate
• Email: tam.hvan@gmail.com
• Github: https://github.com/tamhoang89
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-hoang-67396b195/

Truong Cao Xuan

• Role in this project: Instructor, Community Administrator
• Cardano Foundation's CBCA completion certificate
• Participated in several training programs including the Haskell Course, Plutus Pioneer Program #4 (IOG Academy).
• Email: truongxuanc@gmail.com
• Github: https://github.com/truongcaoxuan

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

Budget breakdown:

• Milestone 1: 9,480 ADA ~ 21.79%
• Milestone 2: 8,980 ADA ~ 20.64%
• Milestone 3: 8,980 ADA ~ 20.64%
• Milestone 4: 8,980 ADA ~ 20.64%
• Milestone 5: 7,080 ADA ~ 16.28%

Total: 43,500 ADA.

The detailed budget breakdown table is provided here.

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

We believe that this project delivers great value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. When the course is made available for free to the community, it will help Vietnamese developers easily access smart contract programming on Cardano using the Aiken programming language, creating an opportunity to attract even more developers to participate in innovative projects on Cardano. We are always ready to support and accompany the students who take the course, even after the project is completed.