---
tags: updates, q1
title: NEAR.EDU 2021-Q1 in Review
description: A quick rundown of what happened in 2021-Q1 inside Education@NEAR
image: https://near.org/wp-content/themes/near-19/assets/downloads/near_logo.svg?t=1600975143
---

# NEAR.EDU 2021-Q1 in Review

:::info
## :closed_book: new products
:::

### NEAR Certified Developer (NCD)

- Funnel
- [learnnear.club](https://learnnear.club/near-certified-developer-program-ncd/)
- [course application page](https://learnnear.club/certified-near-developer-application)
- [NCD Course Guide v0.3](http://hackmd.io/@nearly-learning/ncd)

- Github
- [main organization](https://github.com/Learn-NEAR)
- [student projects](https://github.com/Learn-NEAR?q=ncd&type=&language=&sort=)
- [sample projects](https://github.com/Learn-NEAR?q=sample&type=&language=&sort=)

- Recordings
- [Kickoff Series playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFjTj8QScrlneBiG9v8lNRBngHiRqmNZX)

- Engagement


### NEAR Academy

- Funnel
- [near.academy](http://near.academy)
- [blog post](https://near.org/blog/well-hello-near-academy/)


### NEAR University

Although the name is wrong, this is the single point of entry for all things education.

It also needs a design makeover.

Would it be better as `learn.near.org`?

- [near.org / learn](https://near.org/learn)

### 1000 NEAR Teachers

NEAR needs more teachers. In fact, the more the better. We shouldn't stop at 1000 either.

- [**NEAR from Scratch** by Willem Wyndham](https://youtu.be/QP7aveSqRPo)
- [**Exploring NEAR APIs** by Vlad "Frol" Frolov](#)
- [**Live App Review** by Matt Lockyer](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9tzQn_TEuFXnHlfh00etU57IjpRlQGpY)

---

:::info
### :see_no_evil: presentations
:::

- [March 22, 2021 @ Octaloop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-klWzkF3cmo)
- [March 17, 2021 @ Knackathon 2021](https://hopin.com/events/knackathon-2021)
- [March 1, 2021 @ University of Florida](https://youtu.be/HIt1JZjejYc)
- January 29, 2021 @ Naval Postgraduate School
- [January 3, 2021 @ KERNEL](https://youtu.be/OkGDuhuiE9w)

---

:::info
## :fast_forward: planning
:::

### Objectives

- **Ease of use everywhere**
_Remove any hurdle between participants of the ecosystem and their goal_

- **Developer path from zero to hero is easy**
_We must capture the attention of developers the way Stripe has consistently done with immediately accessible examples and documentation_

- **End users should not realize they're using blockchain**
_We must deliver orientation and onboarding experiences that do not intimidate end users with technical jargon but instead focus on the value of web 3 by painting a picture of the future of 10 or 20 years from now._

- **Onboarding for internal teams is easy**
_We must attract, recruit and onboard the world's most capable talent to help us realize our vision._

- **Documentation for exchanges is easy**
_We must support key technology partners with world-class documentation and examples to help them quickly plug into our platform and make the most of it_

- **Ecosystem-first education**
_Engage the community to scale educational efforts and drive innovation in onboarding_

- **Partner with other educational institutions**
_We must identify, prioritize and enable key educational partners in the ecosystem to make the most of teaching the world about NEAR_

- **Increase number of NEAR educators**
_Capture and promote expert instruction from internal teams while we train other educators. Examples of this in progress are Live Contract Review and Live App Review series on YouTube_

- **Improve contract development onramp**
_Developers are one of three legs of the stool we stand on: developers, end users and infrastructure_

- **Maintain a comprehensive picture of the platform**
_We have a large surface of innovation and are still growing. Sensemaking will remain a priority for newcomers and veteran community members alike. This captures "understanding the whole"_