Main Objective:

The main objective of this project is to enhance the trust and credibility of users on the Agora Tutoring platform by developing a comprehensive and robust user verification system. This system will ensure that tutors and students can engage with confidence, knowing that their counterparts have been thoroughly verified and vetted.

Project Goal:

To design and implement a multi-faceted user verification process that includes identification upload checks, certificate verifications, profile badges, background checks, and user acceptance of terms and conditions. By the end of the project, learners will have created a secure, user-friendly verification system that significantly improves the trustworthiness and reliability of the Agora Tutoring platform.

Detailed Description:

Learners will address the critical issue of user trust in online platforms by solving the following problems:

Ensuring Authenticity:

• Learners will develop methods for securely uploading and verifying identification documents to confirm user identities.
• They will implement certificate verification to validate the educational and professional credentials of tutors.

Building Credibility:

• Learners will design a badge system to visually indicate verified users, making it easy for students and parents to identify trustworthy tutors.
• They will integrate background checks to screen for any criminal records, further enhancing user safety and trust.

Enhancing Transparency and Compliance:

• The project will involve creating a user-friendly interface for the acceptance of terms and conditions, ensuring users are informed and compliant.
• Learners will develop a system to track and log user acceptance of these terms, maintaining transparency.

Improving User Experience:

• By the end of the project, learners will have created a real-time notification system to keep users updated on their verification status and important account activities.
• They will implement advanced security measures to protect user data, ensuring the privacy and security of personal information during the verification process.

Expected Outcomes:

• A Secure Verification System: A robust, multi-layered verification process that improves the safety and trustworthiness of the Agora Tutoring platform.
• Increased User Trust: Higher confidence among students, parents, and tutors in the platform’s credibility.
• Improved Engagement: Greater user satisfaction and engagement due to the enhanced security and transparency of the platform.
• Enhanced Reputation: An improved reputation for Agora Tutoring as a reliable and trustworthy educational service provider.

By achieving these outcomes, learners will contribute to creating a safer, more credible environment for in-person tutoring sessions facilitated through Agora Tutoring.

Project Activities

To achieve the project goal of developing a comprehensive user verification system for Agora Tutoring, learners will need to complete the following tasks:

Research and Requirements Gathering:

• Conduct research on existing verification processes used by other platforms.
• Identify the specific needs and requirements of Agora Tutoring’s users regarding trust and safety.
• Gather user feedback and analyze the current verification challenges faced by the platform.

Design the Verification System Architecture:

• Develop a detailed architecture plan for the verification system, including backend and frontend components.
• Create wireframes and mockups for the user interfaces involved in the verification process.
• Define the workflow for each verification check (ID upload, certificate upload, background check, etc.).

Develop the Identification Upload Check:

• Implement secure methods for users to upload their identification documents.
• Integrate optical character recognition (OCR) technology to automate the verification of IDs.
• Ensure data encryption and compliance with privacy regulations during the upload process.

Implement Certificate Verification:

• Develop a system for tutors to upload their educational and professional certificates.
• Integrate with third-party services for real-time validation of certificates.
• Create a user interface for certificate management and status tracking.

Design and Implement Profile Badges:

• Create a badge system to visually indicate verified information on user profiles.
• Design different badges for various verification levels (e.g., ID verified, certificate verified, background check passed).
• Develop a backend logic to assign and display badges based on completed verifications.

Integrate Background Police Checks:

• Research and select a reliable background check service provider.
• Integrate the background check API into the verification workflow.
• Ensure compliance with local laws and privacy regulations related to background checks.

Develop Terms and Conditions User Acceptance:

• Design a clear and user-friendly interface for users to accept updated terms and conditions.
• Implement a tracking system to log user acceptance and ensure transparency.
• Create notifications to inform users of any updates to the terms and conditions.

Create a User Review and Rating System:

• Develop a review and rating system for users to provide feedback on tutors.
• Implement an algorithm to highlight top-rated tutors and flag users with consistently poor ratings.
• Ensure the review system is secure and prevents fraudulent reviews.

Implement Real-Time Notification System:

• Create a real-time notification system to inform users of verification status updates and important account activities.
• Ensure notifications are secure and respect user privacy.
• Develop user preferences for managing notification settings.

Enhance User Privacy and Data Security:

• Implement advanced security measures to protect user data during the verification process.
• Conduct regular security audits and compliance checks.
• Ensure that all verification processes comply with relevant privacy laws and regulations.

Testing and Quality Assurance:

• Conduct thorough testing of each verification component to ensure functionality and security.
• Perform user acceptance testing (UAT) to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
• Ensure the entire verification system is seamless and user-friendly.

Deployment and Monitoring:

• Deploy the verification system to the live environment.
• Monitor the system for any issues or user feedback.
• Make ongoing improvements based on user feedback and emerging security standards.

Support & Mentorship

To ensure the successful completion of the project, Agora Tutoring will provide comprehensive support and mentorship to the learners. The following support structures will be in place:

Dedicated Mentorship:

• Experienced Staff Mentors: Each learner or team of learners will be assigned experienced staff mentors who are experts in the relevant technologies and processes. Mentors will provide guidance, answer questions, and offer insights based on their expertise.
• Regular Check-Ins: Scheduled weekly check-ins with mentors to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide feedback on work completed.

Access to Tools and Technology:

• Development Environment: Access to Agora Tutoring’s development environment, including backend and frontend technologies such as Express, Apollo GraphQL, MongoDB, React, and NextJS.
• API Integrations: Necessary API keys and integration support for third-party services (e.g., OCR for ID verification, background check services).
• Cloud Services: Use of cloud services such as Heroku for hosting, Redis Cloud for data storage, and MongoDB Atlas for database management.

Technical Resources:

• Documentation and Tutorials: Comprehensive documentation and tutorials for Agora Tutoring’s tech stack and the verification processes.
• Code Repositories: Access to code repositories, sample projects, and reusable code modules to help kickstart development.
• Development Tools: Access to development tools such as IDEs, version control systems (GitHub), and debugging tools.

Collaboration and Communication Tools:

• Communication Platforms: Access to communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration and support.

Feedback and Evaluation:

• Regular Feedback: Continuous feedback from mentors and peers through code reviews, project demos, and progress reports.

Incentives and Recognition:

• Certificates of Completion: Certificates recognizing the completion of the project and the skills acquired.
• Showcase Opportunities: Opportunities to showcase the final project to stakeholders, industry partners, and the Agora Tutoring community.

By offering this robust support and mentorship framework, Agora Tutoring ensures that learners have all the necessary resources, guidance, and motivation to successfully complete the project and create a comprehensive user verification system.