Competency Framework & Knowledge Graph — Requirements Specification
EduOne AI Platform | Version 1.0
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | CF-RS-001 |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Date | 2026-07-17 |
| Status | Draft |
| Owner | EduOne AI Platform Team |
Table of Contents
- Purpose & Scope
- Framework Reference Architecture
- Competency Hierarchy
- Skill Structure
- Skill Dependency Graph
- Proficiency Levels
- Root-Cause Diagnosis
- End-to-End Example
- Hackathon MVP Scope
- Functional Requirements
1. Purpose & Scope
1.1 What is a Competency Framework & Knowledge Graph
A Competency Framework is a structured, hierarchical model that defines the capabilities a learner or professional needs to demonstrate in a given domain. It organizes knowledge into domains, competency areas, competencies, skills, and measurable indicators, providing a shared language for educators, learners, and AI systems.
A Knowledge Graph extends the framework by encoding the relationships between skills — prerequisites, co-requisites, conceptual foundations, and transfer pathways — as a directed graph. Each node represents a skill with its proficiency levels, and each edge represents a typed dependency with strength, confidence, and diagnostic metadata.
Together, the Competency Framework & Knowledge Graph form a reasoning substrate that AI systems can traverse to:
- Diagnose why a learner is failing at a particular task
- Trace the failure back to its root cause in foundational skills
- Recommend the minimum remediation path to close the gap
- Predict which skills are at risk based on upstream weaknesses
graph LR
A["Static Skill List"] -->|"+ hierarchy"| B["Competency Framework"]
B -->|"+ relationships"| C["Knowledge Graph"]
C -->|"+ AI reasoning"| D["Diagnostic Engine"]
D -->|"outputs"| E["Root-Cause Diagnosis"]
D -->|"outputs"| F["Remediation Path"]
D -->|"outputs"| G["Mastery Prediction"]1.2 Why It Matters
Traditional learning platforms treat skills as flat, independent items. When a learner fails a quiz on "Neural Network Training," the system can only report the failure — it cannot explain why the learner failed or what foundational gaps caused it.
The Competency Framework & Knowledge Graph transforms static skill taxonomies into a reasoning graph that AI can traverse for root-cause diagnosis. This enables:
| Capability | Without Knowledge Graph | With Knowledge Graph |
|---|---|---|
| Failure reporting | "You scored 40% on Neural Networks" | "Your failure is likely caused by a gap in Linear Algebra (matrix multiplication)" |
| Remediation | "Review Neural Networks chapter" | "Complete these 3 prerequisite exercises in Linear Algebra first" |
| Learning path | Fixed, one-size-fits-all sequence | Adaptive path based on individual gap analysis |
| Teacher insight | Aggregate class scores | "60% of students who fail ML also lack probability foundations" |
| Curriculum design | Expert intuition only | Data-driven dependency validation |
1.3 Scope for EduOne
EduOne adopts a unified framework that combines and harmonizes the following international reference frameworks:
- UNESCO AI Competency Framework — for AI literacy dimensions and progression levels
- ISTE Standards — for computational thinking pillars
- SFIA 9 — for professional skill levels and responsibility mapping
- WEF Education 4.0 & Global Skills Taxonomy — for future-of-work skill classification
The unified approach ensures that EduOne's competency model is:
- Internationally grounded — mapped to recognized standards
- Locally adaptable — can be customized for national curricula (e.g., Vietnam MOET)
- Vertically integrated — covers K-12, higher education, and professional development
- AI-native — designed from the ground up for machine reasoning, not just human browsing
graph TD
UNESCO["UNESCO AI<br/>Competency Framework"]
ISTE["ISTE Standards"]
SFIA["SFIA 9"]
WEF["WEF Education 4.0"]
UNESCO --> UF["EduOne Unified<br/>Competency Framework"]
ISTE --> UF
SFIA --> UF
WEF --> UF
UF --> KG["Knowledge Graph"]
KG --> DX["Diagnostic Engine"]
KG --> LP["Learning Paths"]
KG --> CA["Curriculum Analytics"]2. Framework Reference Architecture
2.1 Framework Types Overview
The following table defines the seven framework types that together form a complete competency architecture. EduOne's Knowledge Graph integrates all seven.
| # | Framework Type | Question It Answers | Example | Role in EduOne |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Competency Framework | What capabilities does a person need? | AI Literacy, Computational Thinking, Data Ethics | Defines the what — the target capabilities |
| 2 | Skill Taxonomy | How are skills defined and classified? | Programming → Python → Functions → Recursion | Provides the structure — hierarchical classification |
| 3 | Proficiency Framework | How skilled is the learner? | Foundation → Applied → Advanced → Expert | Defines the how much — levels of mastery |
| 4 | Curriculum Framework | What content and in what order? | Grade 6: Scratch, Grade 8: Python, Grade 10: Data Science | Defines the when — learning sequence |
| 5 | Assessment Framework | How to assess competency? | Quiz, coding task, project defense, peer review | Defines the how to measure — evidence types |
| 6 | Skill Dependency Graph | What must be learned first? | Linear Algebra → Neural Networks, Statistics → Hypothesis Testing | Defines the why before — prerequisite relationships |
| 7 | Role-Skill Mapping | What skills does a role need? | Data Analyst → SQL, Statistics, Visualization; ML Engineer → Python, TensorFlow, MLOps | Defines the who needs what — career alignment |
graph TB
CF["1. Competency<br/>Framework"] --> ST["2. Skill<br/>Taxonomy"]
ST --> PF["3. Proficiency<br/>Framework"]
CF --> CuF["4. Curriculum<br/>Framework"]
CuF --> AF["5. Assessment<br/>Framework"]
ST --> SDG["6. Skill Dependency<br/>Graph"]
CF --> RSM["7. Role-Skill<br/>Mapping"]
SDG --> KG["Knowledge Graph<br/>(Unified)"]
PF --> KG
AF --> KG
RSM --> KG2.2 UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Students
The UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Students (2024) defines AI literacy across 4 dimensions and 3 progression levels.
4 Dimensions:
| Dimension | Description | Key Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| 1. AI Mindset | Understanding what AI is, its capabilities and limitations | AI awareness, critical evaluation of AI outputs, growth mindset toward AI |
| 2. AI Use & Application | Using AI tools effectively and responsibly | Prompt engineering, AI tool selection, workflow integration |
| 3. AI Ethics & Social Impact | Understanding societal implications | Bias detection, privacy awareness, responsible AI use |
| 4. AI Foundations | Technical understanding of how AI works | Data representation, ML concepts, pattern recognition |
3 Progression Levels:
| Level | Name | Description | Typical Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Explore | Awareness and basic interaction with AI | Ages 6-12 |
| Level 2 | Practice | Guided application and critical evaluation | Ages 12-16 |
| Level 3 | Create | Independent creation and responsible deployment | Ages 16-18+ |
Strengths:
- Internationally recognized and widely adopted
- Comprehensive coverage of both technical and ethical dimensions
- Age-appropriate progression with clear milestones
Limitations:
- Primarily focused on K-12; lacks professional development levels
- Does not define fine-grained skill dependencies
- Assessment criteria are descriptive, not machine-readable
2.3 UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers
The UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers defines competencies across 5 professional groups:
| Group | Focus Area | Example Competencies |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Human-centred mindset | Critical thinking about AI, AI awareness for educators |
| Group 2 | AI ethics | Responsible AI integration in teaching, bias awareness in educational AI |
| Group 3 | AI foundations & applications | Understanding ML basics, selecting AI teaching tools |
| Group 4 | AI pedagogy | Designing AI-enhanced lessons, assessment with AI, differentiated instruction |
| Group 5 | AI for professional development | Using AI for teacher growth, collaborative AI practices, research with AI |
NOTE
EduOne uses the Teacher Framework to define competency requirements for educator roles in the Role-Skill Mapping, ensuring that teachers using the platform can also be assessed and supported.
2.4 ISTE Standards
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards define 4 pillars of Computational Thinking (CT):
| Pillar | Definition | Example in AI Context |
|---|---|---|
| Decomposition | Breaking complex problems into smaller, manageable parts | Breaking "build a chatbot" into: data collection, model selection, training, evaluation, deployment |
| Pattern Recognition | Identifying similarities, trends, and regularities in data | Recognizing that spam emails share common word patterns |
| Abstraction | Focusing on important information while ignoring irrelevant details | Representing a student as a feature vector [GPA, attendance, scores] for prediction |
| Algorithm Design | Developing step-by-step instructions to solve a problem | Designing a decision tree algorithm for student placement |
Integration with EduOne:
- ISTE CT pillars map directly to Competency Area C (Computational Thinking) in the EduOne hierarchy
- Each pillar becomes a competency with its own skill tree and proficiency levels
- ISTE's emphasis on "CT for all subjects" aligns with EduOne's cross-domain dependency edges
2.5 SFIA 9
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) version 9 provides a professional skills framework with 7 levels of responsibility:
| Level | Name | Autonomy | Influence | Complexity | Business Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Follow | Works under supervision | Minimal | Routine tasks | Learning |
| 2 | Assist | Works under routine direction | Individual | Straightforward | Assisting |
| 3 | Apply | Works under general direction | Colleagues | Moderately complex | Applying |
| 4 | Enable | Works with broad direction | Team/project | Complex | Enabling |
| 5 | Ensure, Advise | Works with defined accountability | Organization unit | Significant | Advising |
| 6 | Initiate, Influence | Defines organizational strategy | Organization-wide | Unpredictable | Influencing |
| 7 | Set Strategy | Shapes industry practices | Industry/domain | Strategic | Leading |
Integration with EduOne:
- SFIA levels inform the Professional Responsibility dimension of EduOne's proficiency model
- SFIA skill definitions are mapped to EduOne competencies via external reference IDs
- SFIA's responsibility model is used for Role-Skill Mapping in professional/higher-ed contexts
2.6 WEF Education 4.0 & Global Skills Taxonomy
The World Economic Forum's Education 4.0 framework and Global Skills Taxonomy define future-of-work skills across categories:
| Category | Skills | Relevance to EduOne |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-Solving | Analytical thinking, creative thinking, systems thinking | Maps to Competency Areas A, B, C |
| Technology | AI/ML, programming, data analysis, cybersecurity | Maps to Competency Areas D, E, F, G |
| Self-Management | Resilience, flexibility, lifelong learning, curiosity | Cross-cutting skills in proficiency progression |
| Working with People | Leadership, social influence, teamwork, empathy | Maps to Competency Area J |
WEF's Top 10 Skills for 2025-2030:
- Analytical thinking
- Creative thinking
- AI and big data
- Leadership and social influence
- Resilience, flexibility, and agility
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
- Technological literacy
- Design and user experience
- Motivation and self-awareness
- Empathy and active listening
2.7 Conclusion: Unified Approach
No single framework is sufficient for EduOne's needs. Each framework contributes a critical dimension:
graph LR
UNESCO_S["UNESCO Students"] -->|"AI literacy<br/>dimensions"| UF["EduOne Unified<br/>Framework"]
UNESCO_T["UNESCO Teachers"] -->|"Educator<br/>competencies"| UF
ISTE["ISTE Standards"] -->|"CT pillars"| UF
SFIA["SFIA 9"] -->|"Professional<br/>levels"| UF
WEF["WEF Education 4.0"] -->|"Future-of-work<br/>skills"| UF
UF -->|"Hierarchy"| H["6-Level<br/>Competency Tree"]
UF -->|"Dependencies"| D["Skill Dependency<br/>Graph"]
UF -->|"Proficiency"| P["Dual Proficiency<br/>Model"]
UF -->|"Mappings"| M["External<br/>Reference IDs"]EduOne's unified approach:
- Adopts UNESCO's AI literacy dimensions as the primary organizing structure for AI competencies
- Integrates ISTE's CT pillars as a dedicated competency area
- Uses SFIA's 7-level responsibility model for professional proficiency
- Maps WEF skills to competency areas for career relevance
- Extends all frameworks with machine-readable dependency edges for AI reasoning
3. Competency Hierarchy
3.1 Hierarchy Structure
The EduOne Competency Framework uses a 6-level hierarchy from broadest to most specific:
Domain → Competency Area → Competency → Skill → Indicator → Evidencegraph TD
D["Domain<br/><i>e.g., STEM & AI Education</i>"]
D --> CA["Competency Area<br/><i>e.g., C. Computational Thinking</i>"]
CA --> C["Competency<br/><i>e.g., C3. Algorithmic Design</i>"]
C --> S["Skill<br/><i>e.g., gradient_descent</i>"]
S --> I["Indicator<br/><i>e.g., Can explain convergence conditions</i>"]
I --> E["Evidence<br/><i>e.g., Quiz score ≥ 80%, Code submission</i>"]| Level | Description | Typical Count | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain | Broadest classification | 1-3 | STEM & AI Education |
| Competency Area | Major thematic grouping | 10 per domain | Computational Thinking |
| Competency | Specific capability cluster | 6-11 per area | Algorithmic Design |
| Skill | Atomic, assessable unit | 3-8 per competency | Gradient Descent |
| Indicator | Observable behavior at a proficiency level | 2-5 per skill per level | "Can implement gradient descent from scratch" |
| Evidence | Artifact that demonstrates the indicator | 1-3 per indicator | Code submission, quiz answer, project deliverable |
3.2 Competency Areas and Competencies
The EduOne framework defines 10 Competency Areas under the STEM & AI Education domain, containing a total of 86 competencies.
A. Scientific Thinking (6 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Observation & Questioning | Formulating clear, testable questions based on careful observation of phenomena |
| A2 | Hypothesis Formulation | Constructing evidence-based hypotheses that can be tested experimentally |
| A3 | Experimental Design | Designing controlled experiments with appropriate variables and procedures |
| A4 | Data Collection & Analysis | Systematically gathering, organizing, and analyzing experimental data |
| A5 | Evidence-Based Reasoning | Drawing conclusions supported by evidence and logical reasoning |
| A6 | Scientific Communication | Presenting findings clearly using appropriate scientific conventions and formats |
B. Mathematical Thinking (8 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | Number Sense & Operations | Understanding number systems, magnitudes, and arithmetic operations |
| B2 | Algebraic Reasoning | Using variables, expressions, and equations to represent relationships |
| B3 | Statistical Reasoning | Collecting, summarizing, and interpreting data using statistical measures |
| B4 | Probabilistic Reasoning | Understanding chance, randomness, and probability distributions |
| B5 | Geometric & Spatial Reasoning | Analyzing shapes, transformations, and spatial relationships |
| B6 | Logical Reasoning & Proof | Constructing and evaluating logical arguments and formal proofs |
| B7 | Mathematical Modeling | Translating real-world problems into mathematical representations |
| B8 | Linear Algebra & Matrix Operations | Understanding vectors, matrices, transformations, and linear systems |
C. Computational Thinking (8 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Decomposition | Breaking complex problems into smaller, manageable sub-problems |
| C2 | Pattern Recognition | Identifying regularities, similarities, and trends in data or processes |
| C3 | Abstraction | Identifying essential information and ignoring irrelevant details |
| C4 | Algorithmic Design | Designing step-by-step procedures to solve problems efficiently |
| C5 | Logical Thinking | Applying Boolean logic, conditionals, and systematic reasoning |
| C6 | Evaluation & Optimization | Assessing solution efficiency and improving performance |
| C7 | Generalization & Transfer | Applying solutions from one context to new, similar contexts |
| C8 | Debugging & Troubleshooting | Systematically identifying and resolving errors in processes or code |
D. Digital Technology (8 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Digital Literacy | Using digital tools and platforms effectively for learning and work |
| D2 | Information Management | Searching, evaluating, organizing, and curating digital information |
| D3 | Computer Systems & Architecture | Understanding hardware components, operating systems, and networks |
| D4 | Cloud Computing & Services | Using cloud platforms, storage, and computing resources |
| D5 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | Understanding threats, protections, and secure practices |
| D6 | Networking & Internet Protocols | Understanding how data moves through networks and the internet |
| D7 | Digital Media & Content Creation | Creating, editing, and publishing digital media content |
| D8 | Human-Computer Interaction | Designing and evaluating user interfaces and user experiences |
E. Programming & Software Creation (9 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Programming Fundamentals | Understanding variables, data types, control flow, and basic I/O |
| E2 | Data Structures | Using arrays, lists, dictionaries, trees, graphs, and hash maps |
| E3 | Functions & Modular Design | Writing reusable functions, modules, and clean interfaces |
| E4 | Object-Oriented Programming | Designing with classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation |
| E5 | Algorithm Implementation | Implementing sorting, searching, graph, and dynamic programming algorithms |
| E6 | Software Development Practices | Using version control, testing, code review, and CI/CD pipelines |
| E7 | Web Development | Building front-end and back-end web applications |
| E8 | Database Design & SQL | Designing schemas, writing queries, and managing relational databases |
| E9 | API Design & Integration | Creating and consuming RESTful and GraphQL APIs |
F. Data Literacy & Data Science (9 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Data Awareness & Representation | Understanding what data is, types of data, and how it is represented |
| F2 | Data Collection & Preparation | Gathering, cleaning, transforming, and validating datasets |
| F3 | Exploratory Data Analysis | Summarizing data characteristics through statistics and visualization |
| F4 | Data Visualization & Storytelling | Creating effective charts, dashboards, and data narratives |
| F5 | Statistical Inference | Drawing conclusions from samples using hypothesis tests and confidence intervals |
| F6 | Predictive Modeling | Building and evaluating models that predict future outcomes |
| F7 | Feature Engineering | Creating, selecting, and transforming variables to improve model performance |
| F8 | Big Data & Data Pipelines | Processing large-scale data using distributed computing and ETL pipelines |
| F9 | Data Governance & Quality | Ensuring data accuracy, consistency, lineage, and compliance |
G. Artificial Intelligence (11 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | AI Awareness & Concepts | Understanding what AI is, its types, capabilities, and limitations |
| G2 | Machine Learning Fundamentals | Understanding supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning paradigms |
| G3 | Training & Optimization | Training models using loss functions, gradient descent, and hyperparameter tuning |
| G4 | Model Evaluation & Validation | Assessing model performance using metrics, cross-validation, and error analysis |
| G5 | Deep Learning & Neural Networks | Understanding architectures: CNNs, RNNs, Transformers, and their applications |
| G6 | Natural Language Processing | Processing and understanding human language with AI techniques |
| G7 | Computer Vision | Analyzing and interpreting visual data using AI models |
| G8 | Generative AI & LLMs | Understanding and using generative models, prompt engineering, and LLM applications |
| G9 | AI System Design & Deployment | Designing end-to-end AI systems, MLOps, and production deployment |
| G10 | Human-AI Interaction | Designing effective interactions between humans and AI systems |
| G11 | AI Safety & Alignment | Ensuring AI systems are safe, reliable, and aligned with human values |
H. Engineering & Making (9 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | Design Thinking | Applying empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration to solve problems |
| H2 | Prototyping & Fabrication | Building physical and digital prototypes using various tools and materials |
| H3 | Electronics & Circuits | Understanding circuits, sensors, actuators, and electronic components |
| H4 | Robotics & Automation | Designing, building, and programming robots and automated systems |
| H5 | IoT & Embedded Systems | Connecting devices, sensors, and microcontrollers to networks |
| H6 | 3D Modeling & Printing | Creating 3D designs and manufacturing physical objects |
| H7 | Systems Engineering | Managing complexity in multi-component engineered systems |
| H8 | Project Management | Planning, executing, and delivering engineering projects on time and budget |
| H9 | Quality Assurance & Testing | Ensuring products meet specifications through systematic testing |
I. Responsible Technology (9 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| I1 | Digital Citizenship | Behaving responsibly, ethically, and safely in digital environments |
| I2 | Data Privacy & Protection | Understanding and applying data privacy principles and regulations |
| I3 | AI Ethics & Fairness | Identifying and mitigating bias, ensuring fairness in AI systems |
| I4 | Intellectual Property | Understanding copyright, licensing, and attribution in digital contexts |
| I5 | Environmental Impact | Assessing and reducing the environmental footprint of technology |
| I6 | Accessibility & Inclusion | Designing technology that is usable by people of all abilities |
| I7 | Digital Well-being | Managing screen time, mental health, and healthy technology habits |
| I8 | Regulatory Compliance | Understanding and adhering to technology regulations and standards |
| I9 | Ethical Decision-Making | Applying ethical frameworks to technology decisions and trade-offs |
J. Technology Collaboration & Innovation (9 Competencies)
| ID | Competency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| J1 | Team Collaboration | Working effectively in diverse teams using collaborative tools and practices |
| J2 | Communication & Presentation | Presenting technical ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences |
| J3 | Creative Problem-Solving | Generating novel solutions through divergent thinking and innovation methods |
| J4 | Entrepreneurial Thinking | Identifying opportunities, evaluating feasibility, and creating value |
| J5 | Cross-Disciplinary Integration | Connecting knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines |
| J6 | Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing | Teaching, guiding, and sharing expertise with peers and juniors |
| J7 | Community Building | Contributing to open-source, professional, and learning communities |
| J8 | Continuous Learning | Maintaining and updating skills through self-directed learning |
| J9 | Innovation Management | Organizing, evaluating, and scaling innovative ideas and processes |
4. Skill Structure
4.1 Skill Data Model
Each skill in the Knowledge Graph is a richly structured node containing identification, classification, proficiency definitions, prerequisites, and observable indicators.
4.2 Full Skill Example
{
"id": "skill_gradient_descent",
"name": "Gradient Descent",
"domain": "STEM & AI Education",
"competencyArea": {
"id": "G",
"name": "Artificial Intelligence"
},
"competency": {
"id": "G3",
"name": "Training & Optimization"
},
"definition": "Understanding and applying gradient descent optimization to iteratively minimize a loss function by updating model parameters in the direction of steepest descent.",
"version": "1.0",
"status": "published",
"externalReferences": [
{
"framework": "UNESCO_AI_Students",
"dimension": "AI Foundations",
"level": "Create"
},
{
"framework": "SFIA_9",
"skill": "Machine Learning",
"level": 3
}
],
"proficiencyLevels": [
{
"level": "L1",
"name": "Recognize",
"description": "Can identify gradient descent as an optimization technique and recognize when it is being used.",
"indicators": [
"Identifies gradient descent in a list of optimization methods",
"Recognizes the purpose of a learning rate parameter",
"Matches gradient descent to the concept of minimizing a function"
]
},
{
"level": "L2",
"name": "Explain",
"description": "Can explain how gradient descent works, including the role of gradients, learning rate, and convergence.",
"indicators": [
"Explains the intuition behind following the negative gradient",
"Describes the effect of learning rate on convergence speed and stability",
"Differentiates between batch, stochastic, and mini-batch gradient descent",
"Explains what convergence means and how to detect it"
]
},
{
"level": "L3",
"name": "Apply",
"description": "Can implement gradient descent from scratch and apply it to train simple models.",
"indicators": [
"Implements vanilla gradient descent in Python for linear regression",
"Selects appropriate learning rate through experimentation",
"Plots and interprets the loss curve during training",
"Applies gradient descent to logistic regression"
]
},
{
"level": "L4",
"name": "Diagnose",
"description": "Can diagnose training issues related to gradient descent and select appropriate variants or fixes.",
"indicators": [
"Diagnoses vanishing or exploding gradient problems",
"Selects between SGD, Adam, RMSProp based on problem characteristics",
"Implements learning rate scheduling strategies",
"Analyzes convergence behavior and adjusts hyperparameters accordingly"
]
},
{
"level": "L5",
"name": "Design",
"description": "Can design custom optimization strategies and contribute to novel optimization research.",
"indicators": [
"Designs custom learning rate schedules for specific architectures",
"Implements and benchmarks novel optimization algorithms",
"Writes technical documentation explaining optimization design decisions",
"Mentors others on optimization best practices"
]
}
],
"prerequisites": [
{
"skillId": "skill_derivatives_partial",
"relationshipType": "HARD_PREREQUISITE",
"requiredLevel": "L3",
"rationale": "Gradient descent requires computing partial derivatives of the loss function"
},
{
"skillId": "skill_linear_algebra_matrix_ops",
"relationshipType": "HARD_PREREQUISITE",
"requiredLevel": "L2",
"rationale": "Parameter updates involve matrix operations in multi-dimensional spaces"
},
{
"skillId": "skill_loss_functions",
"relationshipType": "CONCEPTUAL_FOUNDATION",
"requiredLevel": "L2",
"rationale": "Understanding what is being minimized is essential context"
},
{
"skillId": "skill_python_programming",
"relationshipType": "PROCEDURAL_FOUNDATION",
"requiredLevel": "L3",
"rationale": "Implementation requires Python proficiency including NumPy"
}
],
"indicators": [
{
"id": "ind_gd_001",
"level": "L1",
"text": "Identifies gradient descent as an optimization technique",
"assessmentMethods": ["multiple_choice", "matching"],
"evidenceTypes": ["quiz_response"]
},
{
"id": "ind_gd_002",
"level": "L2",
"text": "Explains the role of learning rate in convergence",
"assessmentMethods": ["short_answer", "oral_explanation"],
"evidenceTypes": ["written_response", "video_recording"]
},
{
"id": "ind_gd_003",
"level": "L3",
"text": "Implements gradient descent for linear regression",
"assessmentMethods": ["coding_task", "code_review"],
"evidenceTypes": ["code_submission", "unit_test_results"]
},
{
"id": "ind_gd_004",
"level": "L4",
"text": "Diagnoses and fixes vanishing gradient problems",
"assessmentMethods": ["debugging_task", "case_study"],
"evidenceTypes": ["code_submission", "written_analysis"]
},
{
"id": "ind_gd_005",
"level": "L5",
"text": "Designs custom optimization strategy for a novel architecture",
"assessmentMethods": ["project", "technical_report"],
"evidenceTypes": ["project_deliverable", "technical_document"]
}
],
"metadata": {
"createdAt": "2026-07-01T00:00:00Z",
"updatedAt": "2026-07-15T00:00:00Z",
"createdBy": "curriculum_team",
"tags": ["optimization", "machine-learning", "deep-learning", "calculus"]
}
}4.3 Skill Schema Summary
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
id | string | Unique identifier (e.g., skill_gradient_descent) |
name | string | Human-readable skill name |
domain | string | Top-level domain classification |
competencyArea | object | Parent competency area reference |
competency | object | Parent competency reference |
definition | string | Clear, concise definition of what the skill entails |
proficiencyLevels | array | 5 levels (L1-L5) with descriptions and indicators |
prerequisites | array | List of prerequisite skills with relationship types |
indicators | array | Observable behaviors with assessment methods |
externalReferences | array | Mappings to UNESCO, ISTE, SFIA, WEF |
metadata | object | Timestamps, authorship, tags |
5. Skill Dependency Graph
5.1 Dependency Types
The Knowledge Graph supports 7 types of dependencies between skills, each with distinct semantics for diagnosis and remediation:
| # | Dependency Type | Semantics | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HARD_PREREQUISITE | Cannot learn target without source; fundamental blocker | 0.9 - 1.0 | Partial Derivatives → Gradient Descent |
| 2 | SOFT_PREREQUISITE | Easier with source but not mandatory; alternative paths exist | 0.5 - 0.8 | Linear Algebra → PCA (can learn PCA intuitively without full LA) |
| 3 | CONCEPTUAL_FOUNDATION | Source provides the mental model needed to understand target | 0.6 - 0.9 | Probability → Bayesian Inference |
| 4 | PROCEDURAL_FOUNDATION | Source provides procedural skills needed to implement target | 0.5 - 0.8 | Python Programming → Implement Neural Network |
| 5 | TRANSFER_SUPPORT | Source helps transfer learning to a new context | 0.3 - 0.6 | Statistics → A/B Testing in Product Management |
| 6 | CO_REQUISITE | Should be learned in parallel; mutual reinforcement | 0.4 - 0.7 | Linear Algebra ↔ Multivariable Calculus |
| 7 | COMMON_MISCONCEPTION_SOURCE | Lack of source causes specific misconceptions in target | 0.6 - 0.9 | Correlation vs. Causation → Interpreting ML Feature Importance |
5.2 Dependency Edge Structure
Each dependency edge is a richly annotated connection in the Knowledge Graph:
{
"dependencyId": "dep_partial_deriv_to_grad_desc",
"sourceSkillId": "skill_derivatives_partial",
"targetSkillId": "skill_gradient_descent",
"relationshipType": "HARD_PREREQUISITE",
"requiredSourceLevel": "L3",
"strength": 0.95,
"confidence": 0.90,
"rationale": "Gradient descent computes the gradient (vector of partial derivatives) of the loss function. Without the ability to compute partial derivatives (L3 Apply), a learner cannot understand or implement the parameter update step.",
"diagnosticSignals": [
{
"signal": "Learner cannot explain why parameters move in the negative gradient direction",
"indicatesGap": true,
"gapLikelihood": 0.85
},
{
"signal": "Learner confuses gradient with loss value",
"indicatesGap": true,
"gapLikelihood": 0.90
},
{
"signal": "Learner cannot compute the gradient for a simple quadratic function",
"indicatesGap": true,
"gapLikelihood": 0.95
}
],
"remediationCandidates": [
{
"skillId": "skill_derivatives_partial",
"targetLevel": "L3",
"estimatedEffort": "4 hours",
"suggestedActivities": [
"Practice computing partial derivatives of multivariable functions",
"Implement symbolic differentiation in Python",
"Complete gradient computation exercises"
]
}
],
"metadata": {
"source": "expert_defined",
"definedBy": "Dr. Smith, Curriculum Expert",
"validatedAt": "2026-06-15T00:00:00Z",
"evidenceCount": 0,
"lastReviewedAt": "2026-07-01T00:00:00Z"
}
}5.3 Sources of Dependencies
Dependencies in the Knowledge Graph originate from three sources, each with different confidence levels and validation requirements:
Source 1: Expert-Defined
- Origin: Curriculum experts, domain specialists, and instructional designers
- Process: Manual definition based on pedagogical expertise and subject-matter knowledge
- Confidence: High (0.8-1.0) — based on expert consensus
- Validation: Peer review by at least 2 domain experts
Source 2: Curriculum-Derived
- Origin: Extracted from existing learning sequences, course structures, and textbook orderings
- Process: Automated analysis of curriculum materials to identify implied prerequisites
- Confidence: Medium (0.5-0.8) — curriculum order may reflect convention rather than true dependency
- Validation: Expert review to confirm pedagogical validity
Source 3: Evidence-Derived
- Origin: Learned from learner performance data — patterns of failure and success
- Process: Statistical analysis of learner trajectories to discover hidden dependencies
- Confidence: Variable (0.3-0.9) — depends on data volume and statistical significance
- Validation Workflow:
stateDiagram-v2
[*] --> Detected: Statistical pattern found
Detected --> Reviewed: Expert reviews evidence
Reviewed --> Validated: Expert confirms dependency
Reviewed --> Rejected: Expert rejects (spurious correlation)
Validated --> Published: Added to production graph
Rejected --> [*]
Published --> [*]| Status | Description | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Detected | Statistical pattern found in learner data; awaiting expert review | Internal only |
| Reviewed | Expert has examined the evidence and supporting data | Internal only |
| Validated | Expert confirms the dependency is pedagogically valid | Available for staging |
| Rejected | Expert determines the pattern is spurious or coincidental | Archived |
| Published | Dependency is active in the production Knowledge Graph | Available for diagnosis |
5.4 Example Dependency Graphs
Machine Learning Branch
Number Sense (B1)
└── Ratio & Proportion (B1)
└── Algebraic Reasoning (B2)
├── Functions & Equations (B2)
│ └── Derivatives & Calculus (B2)
│ └── Partial Derivatives (B2)
│ └── Gradient Descent (G3)
│ └── Training Neural Networks (G5)
│ └── Model Evaluation (G4)
│ └── ML Workflow (G2)
└── Statistical Reasoning (B3)
└── Probability (B4)
├── Probability Distributions (B4)
│ └── Bayesian Inference (B4)
│ └── Naive Bayes Classifier (G2)
└── Hypothesis Testing (F5)
└── Model Evaluation (G4)graph TD
NS["Number Sense<br/>(B1)"] --> RP["Ratio & Proportion<br/>(B1)"]
RP --> AR["Algebraic Reasoning<br/>(B2)"]
AR --> FE["Functions & Equations<br/>(B2)"]
AR --> SR["Statistical Reasoning<br/>(B3)"]
FE --> DC["Derivatives & Calculus<br/>(B2)"]
DC --> PD["Partial Derivatives<br/>(B2)"]
PD --> GD["Gradient Descent<br/>(G3)"]
GD --> TNN["Training Neural Networks<br/>(G5)"]
TNN --> ME["Model Evaluation<br/>(G4)"]
ME --> MLW["ML Workflow<br/>(G2)"]
SR --> PROB["Probability<br/>(B4)"]
PROB --> PBD["Probability Distributions<br/>(B4)"]
PBD --> BI["Bayesian Inference<br/>(B4)"]
BI --> NBC["Naive Bayes Classifier<br/>(G2)"]
PROB --> HT["Hypothesis Testing<br/>(F5)"]
HT --> MENeural Networks Branch
Linear Algebra (B8)
├── Matrix Multiplication (B8)
│ └── Forward Propagation (G5)
│ └── Activation Functions (G5)
│ └── Backpropagation (G5)
│ └── Training Deep Networks (G5)
└── Vector Spaces (B8)
└── Embeddings & Representations (G6)
└── Word2Vec / Transformers (G6)
Partial Derivatives (B2)
└── Chain Rule (B2)
└── Backpropagation (G5)6. Proficiency Levels
6.1 Learning Proficiency (for Learners)
The EduOne framework defines 6 learning proficiency levels (L0-L5) that describe a learner's mastery progression for any skill:
| Level | Name | Description | Cognitive Level | Observable Behaviors | Example (Gradient Descent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L0 | Unexposed | Has not encountered the skill; no awareness | None | Cannot recognize the concept | Has never heard of gradient descent |
| L1 | Recognize | Can identify and recall the concept but cannot explain it | Remember | Selects correct definition from options; matches terms to descriptions | Identifies gradient descent in a list of optimization methods |
| L2 | Explain | Can explain the concept in own words and compare with alternatives | Understand | Explains how it works; compares variants; draws diagrams | Explains why learning rate matters; differentiates SGD from Adam |
| L3 | Apply | Can use the skill to solve standard problems | Apply | Implements the skill in standard contexts; follows established procedures | Implements gradient descent for linear regression in Python |
| L4 | Analyze / Adapt | Can diagnose issues, adapt the skill to non-standard situations | Analyze | Debugs failures; selects best variant for context; modifies approach | Diagnoses vanishing gradients; selects appropriate optimizer |
| L5 | Create / Transfer | Can create novel solutions and transfer the skill to entirely new domains | Create | Designs new approaches; teaches others; publishes work | Designs custom optimization strategy; writes research paper |
graph LR
L0["L0<br/>Unexposed"] --> L1["L1<br/>Recognize"]
L1 --> L2["L2<br/>Explain"]
L2 --> L3["L3<br/>Apply"]
L3 --> L4["L4<br/>Analyze/Adapt"]
L4 --> L5["L5<br/>Create/Transfer"]
style L0 fill:#f5f5f5,stroke:#999
style L1 fill:#e3f2fd,stroke:#1976d2
style L2 fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c
style L3 fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00
style L4 fill:#fce4ec,stroke:#c62828
style L5 fill:#f3e5f5,stroke:#7b1fa26.2 Professional Responsibility (SFIA-Referenced)
For professional development and higher education contexts, EduOne maps skills to SFIA 9 responsibility levels:
| Level | Name | Autonomy | Influence Scope | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Follow | Works under close supervision | Own work | Applies basic concepts; follows instructions; learns on the job |
| 2 | Assist | Works under routine direction | Immediate colleagues | Performs defined tasks; contributes to team; developing judgment |
| 3 | Apply | Works under general guidance | Project/team | Applies skills independently; makes routine decisions; mentors juniors |
| 4 | Enable | Works with broad direction | Function/department | Enables others; manages complex work; makes significant decisions |
| 5 | Ensure / Advise | Accountable for defined areas | Organizational unit | Sets direction; ensures quality; advises senior management |
| 6 | Initiate / Influence | Defines strategy | Organization-wide | Initiates major change; influences industry; shapes organizational direction |
| 7 | Set Strategy | Leads at the highest level | Industry/domain | Sets industry standards; shapes policy; recognized thought leader |
IMPORTANT
Learning Proficiency (L0-L5) and Professional Responsibility (1-7) are orthogonal dimensions. A learner can be at L3 (Apply) in gradient descent while operating at SFIA Level 2 (Assist) in their professional role. Both dimensions are tracked independently.
7. Root-Cause Diagnosis
7.1 Algorithm Flow
The root-cause diagnosis algorithm traverses the Knowledge Graph to find the earliest unmastered foundation that explains a learner's failure. The algorithm follows 8 steps:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observed Failure | A learner fails an assessment or exhibits poor performance on a task |
| 2 | Identify Target Indicator | Map the failure to a specific indicator (observable behavior) in the framework |
| 3 | Locate Target Skill | Identify the skill and proficiency level the indicator belongs to |
| 4 | Inspect Prerequisites | Retrieve all prerequisite edges for the target skill from the Knowledge Graph |
| 5 | Check Evidence | For each prerequisite, check the learner's evidence and proficiency level |
| 6 | Traverse Weak Prerequisites Recursively | For any prerequisite below the required level, recursively inspect its prerequisites |
| 7 | Find Earliest Unmastered Foundation | Identify the deepest node(s) in the traversal where the learner's proficiency is below required |
| 8 | Recommend Minimum Remediation Path | Generate the shortest path from the root cause to the target skill |
flowchart TD
S1["1. Observed Failure<br/><i>Learner fails Model Evaluation quiz</i>"]
S2["2. Identify Target Indicator<br/><i>Cannot compute precision/recall</i>"]
S3["3. Locate Target Skill<br/><i>Model Evaluation (G4) @ L3</i>"]
S4["4. Inspect Prerequisites<br/><i>Probability, Statistics, ML Fundamentals</i>"]
S5["5. Check Evidence<br/><i>Probability: L1, Statistics: L2, ML: L2</i>"]
S6["6. Traverse Weak Prerequisites<br/><i>Probability is below L3 → check its prereqs</i>"]
S7["7. Find Earliest Gap<br/><i>Ratio & Proportion: L1 (root cause)</i>"]
S8["8. Recommend Remediation<br/><i>Ratio → Probability → Model Evaluation</i>"]
S1 --> S2 --> S3 --> S4 --> S5 --> S6 --> S7 --> S87.2 Root Cause Score Formula
When multiple prerequisite gaps exist, the system ranks them using a Root Cause Score to prioritize the most impactful remediation:
Root Cause Score = Dependency Strength × Gap Probability × Evidence Confidence × Error Match × Remediation Leverage| Factor | Symbol | Description | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependency Strength | DS | How strong is the prerequisite relationship? | 0.0 - 1.0 |
| Gap Probability | GP | How likely is it that the learner has this gap? | 0.0 - 1.0 |
| Evidence Confidence | EC | How confident are we in the gap assessment? | 0.0 - 1.0 |
| Error Match | EM | How well does the gap explain the observed error pattern? | 0.0 - 1.0 |
| Remediation Leverage | RL | How many downstream skills will benefit from fixing this gap? | 0.0 - 1.0 |
Scoring Example
A learner fails Model Evaluation (G4). The system identifies 4 candidate gaps:
| Candidate Gap | DS | GP | EC | EM | RL | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probability (B4) | 0.90 | 0.85 | 0.80 | 0.75 | 0.90 | 0.413 | 1 |
| Ratio & Proportion (B1) | 0.95 | 0.90 | 0.70 | 0.60 | 0.95 | 0.342 | 2 |
| Statistical Reasoning (B3) | 0.85 | 0.70 | 0.90 | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.300 | 3 |
| Python Programming (E1) | 0.50 | 0.40 | 0.95 | 0.30 | 0.50 | 0.029 | 4 |
TIP
The highest-scoring gap (Probability) is recommended as the primary remediation target. The system also checks whether fixing Probability would automatically resolve lower-ranked gaps (e.g., if Ratio & Proportion is a prerequisite of Probability).
7.3 Multiple Case Analysis
The power of root-cause diagnosis is that the same observed failure can have different root causes for different learners. Here are 4 cases where learners all fail Model Evaluation (G4) but for different reasons:
Case A: Mathematical Foundation Gap
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Learner | Student A — Grade 10 |
| Observed Failure | Cannot compute F1-score; confuses precision and recall |
| Target Skill | Model Evaluation (G4) @ L3 |
| Root Cause | Ratio & Proportion (B1) @ L1 (required: L3) |
| Diagnostic Signal | Cannot compute ratios from a confusion matrix; treats precision as a count |
| Remediation | Ratio & Proportion → Fractions & Percentages → Probability → Model Evaluation |
| Estimated Effort | 6 hours |
Case B: Probabilistic Reasoning Gap
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Learner | Student B — University Year 1 |
| Observed Failure | Computes accuracy but cannot interpret it for imbalanced datasets |
| Target Skill | Model Evaluation (G4) @ L4 |
| Root Cause | Probability Distributions (B4) @ L2 (required: L3) |
| Diagnostic Signal | Does not understand base rates; cannot explain why 95% accuracy on 95/5 class split is meaningless |
| Remediation | Probability Distributions → Class Imbalance → Model Evaluation |
| Estimated Effort | 4 hours |
Case C: Conceptual Confusion
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Learner | Student C — Bootcamp participant |
| Observed Failure | Uses training accuracy to evaluate model; reports 99% accuracy on overfitted model |
| Target Skill | Model Evaluation (G4) @ L3 |
| Root Cause | Overfitting Concepts (G3) @ L1 (required: L2) |
| Diagnostic Signal | Does not understand train/test split purpose; no concept of generalization |
| Remediation | Overfitting Concepts → Cross-Validation → Model Evaluation |
| Estimated Effort | 3 hours |
Case D: Procedural Gap
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Learner | Student D — Self-taught developer |
| Observed Failure | Understands metrics conceptually but cannot implement evaluation pipeline |
| Target Skill | Model Evaluation (G4) @ L3 |
| Root Cause | Python Data Manipulation (E1) @ L2 (required: L3) |
| Diagnostic Signal | Cannot use sklearn.metrics; struggles with DataFrame operations for confusion matrix |
| Remediation | Python Data Manipulation → sklearn API → Model Evaluation |
| Estimated Effort | 5 hours |
8. End-to-End Example
Scenario: Junior AI Engineer — Overfitting Failure
8.1 Context
Learner Profile:
- Name: Minh (Junior AI Engineer, 6 months experience)
- Current Role: ML Engineer Intern
- Target: Complete the "Build a Classification Model" project
- Problem: Minh's model achieves 98% training accuracy but only 52% test accuracy
8.2 Observed Failure
Minh submits a classification model for the project assessment. The evaluation system detects:
| Metric | Training Set | Test Set | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 98.2% | 52.1% | ❌ Severe overfitting |
| F1-Score | 0.97 | 0.48 | ❌ Below threshold |
| Loss Curve | Continuously decreasing | Increases after epoch 5 | ❌ Classic overfitting pattern |
The system triggers root-cause diagnosis.
8.3 Dependency Trace
graph TD
FAIL["❌ FAILURE<br/>Model Evaluation (G4) @ L3<br/><i>98% train / 52% test</i>"]
FAIL --> P1["Overfitting & Regularization (G3)<br/>Required: L3 | Actual: L1 ⚠️"]
FAIL --> P2["Cross-Validation (G4)<br/>Required: L3 | Actual: L2 ⚠️"]
FAIL --> P3["Loss Functions (G3)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L2 ✅"]
P1 --> P1A["Bias-Variance Tradeoff (G2)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L0 🔴"]
P1 --> P1B["Regularization Techniques (G3)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L0 🔴"]
P2 --> P2A["Statistical Sampling (B3)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L2 ✅"]
P1A --> P1A1["Statistical Reasoning (B3)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L2 ✅"]
P1A --> P1A2["Model Complexity (G2)<br/>Required: L2 | Actual: L1 ⚠️"]
style FAIL fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#c62828
style P1 fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00
style P2 fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00
style P3 fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c
style P1A fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#c62828
style P1B fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#c62828
style P2A fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c
style P1A1 fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c
style P1A2 fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c008.4 Diagnosis Result
| Priority | Root Cause | Current Level | Required Level | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 1 | Bias-Variance Tradeoff (G2) | L0 Unexposed | L2 Explain | 0.72 |
| 🔴 2 | Regularization Techniques (G3) | L0 Unexposed | L2 Explain | 0.68 |
| ⚠️ 3 | Model Complexity (G2) | L1 Recognize | L2 Explain | 0.45 |
| ⚠️ 4 | Cross-Validation (G4) | L2 Explain | L3 Apply | 0.38 |
Primary Root Cause: Minh has never been exposed to the bias-variance tradeoff. Without understanding this fundamental concept, he cannot diagnose overfitting, does not know why regularization is needed, and cannot evaluate model complexity appropriately.
8.5 Remediation Path
The system generates a minimum remediation path — the shortest sequence of skills to close the gap:
graph LR
R1["Step 1<br/>Model Complexity<br/>(G2) → L2<br/><i>2 hours</i>"]
R2["Step 2<br/>Bias-Variance<br/>Tradeoff (G2) → L2<br/><i>3 hours</i>"]
R3["Step 3<br/>Regularization<br/>Techniques (G3) → L2<br/><i>3 hours</i>"]
R4["Step 4<br/>Cross-Validation<br/>(G4) → L3<br/><i>2 hours</i>"]
R5["Step 5<br/>Retry Project<br/>Assessment<br/><i>1 hour</i>"]
R1 --> R2 --> R3 --> R4 --> R5Recommended Learning Activities:
| Step | Skill | Target Level | Activities | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Model Complexity (G2) | L2 Explain | Read "Underfitting vs. Overfitting" tutorial; complete concept quiz | 2 hours |
| 2 | Bias-Variance Tradeoff (G2) | L2 Explain | Interactive visualization of bias-variance; explain in own words | 3 hours |
| 3 | Regularization Techniques (G3) | L2 Explain | L1/L2 regularization tutorial; apply dropout in code exercise | 3 hours |
| 4 | Cross-Validation (G4) | L3 Apply | Implement k-fold CV on the project dataset; compare results | 2 hours |
| 5 | Retry Assessment | L3 Apply | Resubmit classification model with regularization and CV | 1 hour |
Total Estimated Remediation Time: 11 hours
8.6 Mastery Update
After completing the remediation path, the system updates Minh's skill profile:
| Skill | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Complexity (G2) | L1 Recognize | L2 Explain | +1 |
| Bias-Variance Tradeoff (G2) | L0 Unexposed | L2 Explain | +2 |
| Regularization Techniques (G3) | L0 Unexposed | L2 Explain | +2 |
| Cross-Validation (G4) | L2 Explain | L3 Apply | +1 |
| Model Evaluation (G4) | L2 (failing) | L3 Apply | +1 |
Minh resubmits the project and achieves:
| Metric | Training Set | Test Set | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | 87.5% | 84.2% | ✅ Healthy gap |
| F1-Score | 0.86 | 0.83 | ✅ Above threshold |
| Loss Curve | Converges | Converges | ✅ No overfitting |
9. Hackathon MVP Scope
9.1 Focus Area
The Hackathon MVP focuses on a single vertical slice of the full framework to demonstrate the end-to-end value proposition:
| Dimension | MVP Scope | Full Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | STEM & AI Education | Multiple domains |
| Competency Area | G. Artificial Intelligence (AI Literacy subset) | All 10 areas |
| Competencies | 5 competencies (G1-G5) | 86 competencies |
| Skills | 15-20 skills | 300+ skills |
| Indicators | 30-40 indicators | 500+ indicators |
| Dependency Edges | 25-40 edges | 1000+ edges |
| Proficiency Levels | L0-L5 (Learning Proficiency only) | Learning + Professional |
9.2 MVP Competency Slice
The MVP covers the following 5 competencies from the AI area:
graph TD
G["G. Artificial Intelligence"]
G1["G1. AI Awareness<br/>& Concepts"]
G2["G2. ML<br/>Fundamentals"]
G3["G3. Training<br/>& Optimization"]
G4["G4. Model Evaluation<br/>& Validation"]
G5["G5. Deep Learning<br/>& Neural Networks"]
G --> G1
G --> G2
G --> G3
G --> G4
G --> G5
G1 -->|"prereq"| G2
G2 -->|"prereq"| G3
G2 -->|"prereq"| G4
G3 -->|"prereq"| G5
G4 -->|"co-req"| G39.3 MVP Demo Loop
The hackathon demo follows a 6-step loop that demonstrates the full diagnostic cycle:
flowchart LR
D1["1. Failure<br/><i>Learner fails<br/>assessment</i>"]
D2["2. Model Update<br/><i>Update learner's<br/>skill profile</i>"]
D3["3. Graph Traversal<br/><i>Walk dependency<br/>edges</i>"]
D4["4. Gap Detection<br/><i>Find root cause<br/>skills</i>"]
D5["5. Remediation<br/><i>Generate learning<br/>path</i>"]
D6["6. Mastery Update<br/><i>Update after<br/>completion</i>"]
D1 --> D2 --> D3 --> D4 --> D5 --> D6
D6 -.->|"retry"| D1Demo Scenario: Use the Minh (Junior AI Engineer) scenario from Section 8 as the primary demo case.
9.4 MVP Technical Requirements
| Component | Technology | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Competency data store | Supabase (PostgreSQL) | To be implemented |
| Knowledge Graph storage | PostgreSQL with adjacency list + recursive CTEs | To be implemented |
| Diagnosis engine | Python service (FastAPI) | To be implemented |
| Graph visualization | D3.js or Mermaid (read-only) | To be implemented |
| Learner skill profile | JSON document in Supabase | To be implemented |
| API layer | REST API via FastAPI | To be implemented |
10. Functional Requirements
10.1 Requirements Table
| ID | Category | Description | Priority | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR-CF-001 | CRUD - Domain | The system shall allow authorized users to create, read, update, and delete domains. | Must | A domain can be created with a unique ID, name, and description. The domain appears in the domain list. Updates are reflected immediately. Deletion cascades to child competency areas or is blocked if children exist. |
| FR-CF-002 | CRUD - Competency Area | The system shall allow authorized users to create, read, update, and delete competency areas within a domain. | Must | A competency area can be created with ID, name, description, and parent domain reference. The area appears under its parent domain. CRUD operations maintain referential integrity. |
| FR-CF-003 | CRUD - Competency | The system shall allow authorized users to create, read, update, and delete competencies within a competency area. | Must | A competency can be created with ID, name, description, and parent competency area reference. Deletion is blocked if child skills exist. |
| FR-CF-004 | CRUD - Skill | The system shall allow authorized users to create, read, update, and delete skills within a competency. | Must | A skill can be created with the full schema defined in Section 4, including proficiency levels, prerequisites, and indicators. All fields are validated against schema constraints. |
| FR-CF-005 | CRUD - Indicator | The system shall allow authorized users to create, read, update, and delete indicators within a skill at a specific proficiency level. | Must | An indicator can be created with ID, text, proficiency level, assessment methods, and evidence types. Indicators are unique within a skill-level combination. |
| FR-CF-006 | Dependency - Create | The system shall allow authorized users to create dependency edges between skills with all required metadata. | Must | A dependency edge can be created with source skill, target skill, relationship type, required source level, strength, confidence, and rationale. The system validates that both skills exist and no circular dependency is created. |
| FR-CF-007 | Dependency - Validate | The system shall validate new dependency edges for circular dependencies, duplicate edges, and consistency. | Must | Creating an edge that would form a cycle is rejected with a clear error message. Duplicate edges (same source, target, type) are rejected. Strength and confidence values must be between 0.0 and 1.0. |
| FR-CF-008 | Dependency - Query Paths | The system shall support querying shortest paths, all paths, and prerequisite chains between any two skills. | Must | Given a source and target skill, the system returns the shortest path (minimum edges) and optionally all paths up to a configurable maximum depth. Paths include all edge metadata. |
| FR-CF-009 | Diagnosis - Root Cause | The system shall implement the root-cause diagnosis algorithm defined in Section 7.1 to identify the earliest unmastered foundation for a learner's failure. | Must | Given a learner ID and a failed indicator, the system traverses the dependency graph and returns a ranked list of root-cause candidates with scores computed per Section 7.2. |
| FR-CF-010 | Diagnosis - Scoring | The system shall compute Root Cause Scores using the formula: Dependency Strength × Gap Probability × Evidence Confidence × Error Match × Remediation Leverage. | Must | Scores are computed correctly for all candidates. Candidates are ranked by score in descending order. Each factor is documented in the response. |
| FR-CF-011 | Remediation - Path Generation | The system shall generate minimum remediation paths from root-cause skills to the target skill. | Must | The remediation path includes ordered skills, target proficiency levels, estimated effort, and suggested activities. The path respects dependency ordering (prerequisites before dependents). |
| FR-CF-012 | Remediation - Activity Suggestion | The system shall suggest specific learning activities for each skill in the remediation path. | Should | Each skill in the remediation path includes at least 2 suggested activities with estimated time. Activities are appropriate for the target proficiency level. |
| FR-CF-013 | Knowledge Evolution - Detection | The system shall detect potential new dependencies from learner performance data using statistical analysis. | Should | When a statistically significant pattern is detected (e.g., 80%+ of learners who fail skill X also have gaps in skill Y), a candidate dependency is created with status "Detected." |
| FR-CF-014 | Knowledge Evolution - Review | The system shall support an expert review workflow for evidence-derived dependencies. | Should | Detected dependencies can be reviewed, validated, or rejected by authorized experts. The review decision and rationale are recorded. Validated dependencies can be published to the production graph. |
| FR-CF-015 | Knowledge Evolution - Publication | The system shall allow validated evidence-derived dependencies to be published to the production Knowledge Graph. | Should | Published dependencies become active in the diagnosis engine. Publication includes a confidence score and evidence count. Published edges are distinguishable from expert-defined edges. |
| FR-CF-016 | Visualization - Graph Display | The system shall provide a visual representation of the Knowledge Graph showing skills as nodes and dependencies as edges. | Should | The visualization displays skills with their proficiency levels, dependency edges with types and strengths, and supports zoom/pan/filter. |
| FR-CF-017 | Visualization - Learner Overlay | The system shall overlay a learner's proficiency levels on the Knowledge Graph visualization. | Should | Each skill node is color-coded by the learner's current proficiency level. Gaps (below required level) are highlighted. The remediation path is visually distinguished. |
| FR-CF-018 | Mapping - External References | The system shall support mapping EduOne skills to external framework references (UNESCO, ISTE, SFIA, WEF). | Should | Each skill can have multiple external references with framework name, dimension/category, and level. External references are queryable (e.g., "show all skills mapped to SFIA Level 3"). |
| FR-CF-019 | Mapping - Import/Export | The system shall support importing and exporting the competency framework and Knowledge Graph in JSON format. | Should | The full framework (domains, areas, competencies, skills, indicators, dependencies) can be exported as a single JSON file. The same JSON can be imported to create or update the framework. |
| FR-CF-020 | CRUD - Bulk Operations | The system shall support bulk create, update, and delete operations for skills and dependencies. | Could | Bulk operations accept an array of items and process them in a single transaction. Partial failures are reported with per-item error details. |
| FR-CF-021 | Diagnosis - Multiple Root Causes | The system shall support identifying and ranking multiple concurrent root causes for a single failure. | Must | When multiple prerequisite gaps exist, all are scored and ranked. The system indicates which gaps are independent and which are related (one is a prerequisite of another). |
| FR-CF-022 | Proficiency - Tracking | The system shall track learner proficiency levels for all skills over time. | Must | Each learner has a skill profile with current proficiency levels. Proficiency updates are timestamped and the history is preserved. The system supports querying proficiency at any point in time. |
| FR-CF-023 | Proficiency - Evidence Linking | The system shall link proficiency assessments to specific evidence artifacts. | Should | Each proficiency level change is linked to the evidence that triggered it (quiz result, code submission, project assessment). Evidence artifacts are retrievable from the proficiency history. |
| FR-CF-024 | Search - Skill Discovery | The system shall support searching and filtering skills by name, competency area, tags, and proficiency level. | Should | Full-text search returns relevant skills ranked by relevance. Filters can be combined (e.g., "skills in Competency Area G tagged with 'deep-learning' at L3 or above"). |
| FR-CF-025 | Analytics - Gap Analysis | The system shall provide aggregate gap analysis across learner cohorts to identify common weaknesses. | Could | For a given cohort (class, school, program), the system reports the most common skill gaps, most frequent root causes, and recommended curriculum adjustments. Results are exportable as a report. |
10.2 Requirements Summary by Priority
| Priority | Count | IDs |
|---|---|---|
| Must | 12 | FR-CF-001 through FR-CF-011, FR-CF-021, FR-CF-022 |
| Should | 10 | FR-CF-012 through FR-CF-019, FR-CF-023, FR-CF-024 |
| Could | 3 | FR-CF-020, FR-CF-025 |
10.3 Non-Functional Requirements
| ID | Category | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFR-CF-001 | Performance | Root-cause diagnosis shall complete within 2 seconds for a graph with up to 500 skills | < 2s response time |
| NFR-CF-002 | Performance | Graph traversal (shortest path) shall complete within 500ms for a graph with up to 1000 edges | < 500ms response time |
| NFR-CF-003 | Scalability | The system shall support up to 10,000 skills and 50,000 dependency edges | 10K skills, 50K edges |
| NFR-CF-004 | Availability | The competency framework API shall have 99.5% uptime | 99.5% availability |
| NFR-CF-005 | Data Integrity | All CRUD operations shall maintain referential integrity across the hierarchy | Zero orphaned records |
| NFR-CF-006 | Security | Framework modifications shall require authentication and role-based authorization | RBAC enforced |
Appendix A: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Competency | A cluster of related knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable effective performance |
| Skill | An atomic, assessable unit of knowledge or ability |
| Indicator | An observable behavior that demonstrates mastery of a skill at a specific proficiency level |
| Evidence | An artifact (quiz result, code submission, project) that demonstrates an indicator |
| Dependency Edge | A directed relationship between two skills indicating prerequisite or supporting relationship |
| Root Cause | The earliest unmastered foundational skill that explains a learner's failure |
| Remediation Path | An ordered sequence of skills to learn in order to close a gap |
| Knowledge Graph | A graph data structure where nodes are skills and edges are typed dependencies |
| Proficiency Level | A measure of mastery from L0 (Unexposed) to L5 (Create/Transfer) |
Appendix B: Document History
| Version | Date | Author | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2026-07-17 | EduOne AI Platform Team | Initial release |
NOTE
This document is a living specification. As the EduOne AI Platform evolves, this document will be updated to reflect new competency areas, dependency types, and diagnostic capabilities. All changes will be tracked in Appendix B.