Hey everyone and happy holidays!
I’m reaching out to share something we at TEACHMEDEFI have been working on – a project we believe could significantly contribute to the ecosystem. It’s about education, but not in the way you might expect.
Our Roots and Growth:
When we started TEACHMEDEFI in 2022, we were driven by one clear goal: to simplify Web3 and blockchain for everyone. Our journey so far has been rewarding – if you’re an active DOT community member on X/Twitter, you might have seen us or our podcast around!
Over the last five months, our educational content like podcasts, e-books, newsletters and interviews have reached over 3 million impressions across platforms, focusing particularly on the Polkadot ecosystem. The engagement and feedback has been heartwarming. Thank you all for your support.
Working on this project, we quickly realized however that spreading awareness was just the tip of the iceberg.
Blockchains have characteristics of two-sided markets, with developers on one side and users on the other. Both sides need to be nurtured to create a vibrant ecosystem, driven by network effects. We have been delighted to see more and more initiatives popping up focusing on developer experience in the community. We would like to do our part on the other side: Users.
Creating educational content, we quickly realised a more structured approach was necessary for effectively onboarding new users into crypto generally and into the Polkadot ecosystem. Thus, we created a proof-of-concept e-learning platform in German, offering courses on Polkadot, Bitcoin, and Ethereum (https://www.teachmedefi.de) as a starting point.
Our next step is to build on this foundation. We propose to develop a comprehensive and feature-rich e-learning platform for a global audience, integrating deeper Polkadot-focused content and interactive learning experiences.
We’re not just talking about passive learning – we’re integrating interactive modules, on-chain quests, NFT rewards and gamification features to make the experience as engaging, intuitive and effective as possible.
[Note: We intended to include early versions of mockup images throughout this post. Unfortunately, it is letting us only post one file max.]
The Platform:
Picture a platform where learning about Bitcoin, Ethereum, and particularly Polkadot isn’t just a series of texts and diagrams, but a journey through interactive, modular courses. They’re dynamic, engaging video modules, interwoven with practical, on-chain quests that bring the theoretical into the tangible.
As learners delve into the courses, they’re not just accumulating knowledge; they’re earning points, badges, unlocking supplemental material, or even receiving discounts on premium content. It’s learning, but with the thrill of a game. Each quiz, each on-chain action, propels them up a leaderboard, turning a solitary educational pursuit into a community-driven challenge.
Engaging with the Polkadot network however goes beyond just earning points or climbing ranks. It’s about truly understanding and participating in the community. This involves setting up wallets, taking part in governance, and exploring the cross-chain ecosystem. These steps are important for becoming an active member of the ecosystem. Your progress is shown not only in points but in your growing confidence and ability to navigate the Polkadot landscape.
For those already versed in blockchain basics, a ‘Quickstart’ path provides a shortcut to Polkadot Onboarding. It’s like having a fast-forward button for experienced users seeking to get started on Polkadot quickly. A simple, short step-by-step onboarding journey based on questions and multiple choice answers.
Why Polkadot?
If it wasn’t for Polkadot, our whole team would have never met and the project would not exist. Our focus on Polkadot stems from a genuine belief in its potential.
Polkadot’s technical strength is undeniable (yesterday was an interesting day seeing the relay chain handle 6M+ transactions due to ordinals), but its user base isn’t growing as fast as it could. This is where we see our role. TEACHMEDEFI aims to be a bridge connecting potential users to Polkadot. We’re not just another platform; we’re a gateway to understanding and using Web3 and Polkadot.
Why not make a platform solely focused on Polkadot? Well, our belief is that a general crypto-focused platform, funneling users towards Polkadot, will be more effective in raising awareness and driving adoption compared to a Polkadot-only platform.
What Makes TEACHMEDEFI Unique?
TEACHMEDEFI is unique in its approach to educating and onboarding new users. Unlike other platforms such as “quest”-platforms that assume prior knowledge of blockchain basics, our tutorial-driven platform ensures users understand both the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of various tasks. We provide a personal touch in our courses, led by identifiable individuals, fostering trust and relatability in a space often seen as complex.
Key features include:
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Modular, interactive learning modules with on-chain quests.
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Specialized content focusing on Polkadot.
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Measurable tracking of and impact on network activity / adoption.
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A gamified learning experience with incentives to encourage completing the Polkadot course.
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Tailored content presentation with superior audio and video editing.
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“Quick Start” journey option for advanced users.
Looking Forward:
We have a diverse and experienced team of 9 people in place, capable and excited to deliver on this project. Furthermore, we are actively seeking to collaborate with other projects and entities in the Polkadot ecosystem. For example, teams like Talisman and Polkassembly/PolkaSafe are consulting us with their expertise on elements of our platform specifically regarding staking and governance.
We intend to present other educational sources and initiatives by people and teams in the ecosystem, to users on the platform as well (such as informative podcasts, academies, courses or events) and we might explore the introduction of technical courses, such as basic Rust programming and development on Polkadot. This could serve as an accessible and preparatory step towards more advanced programs like the Polkadot Blockchain Academy down the road. If you or someone you know has expertise in this and is interested in educational efforts, we’d love to chat.
Our application to the Web3 Foundation’s Decentralized Futures Program is driven by our commitment to making Polkadot more accessible and understandable globally. We’re excited about this journey and hope our project can play a small part in bringing more users into the Polkadot space.
We would love to get your feedback and thoughts on this, as we’re keen to make this an effort that benefits the entire DOT community! Please get in touch!
Best regards,
The TEACHMEDEFI Team
