The concept of the "Interactive3d Learning Object" has evolved over the last three years at the Naledi3d Factory but through another recent project with UNESCO, this concept is turning into a reality.

The Interactive3d Learning Object combines virtual reality technologies with an emerging educational concept called the "learning object”; and conveys a specific item of knowledge in an interactive, visual way that can also be reused in different learning contexts.

Over the past year the project has expanded, creating a wider network of partners, a repository of digital knowledge blocks as well as a full-fledged working product that demonstrates how Africa's educational needs can be met through linguistically and culturally relevant content. At its core lies the creation of a Pan-African network who can change language elements (both text and audio) in a way that material can be adopted for local communities in different countries; as well as helping to preserve local languages. Membership currently stands at over a dozen organisations in ten countries: Senegal, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Solomon Islands, Rwanda as well as South Africa.

A major part of the project focussed on the establishment of a web presence that will facilitate the central storage and sharing of Interactive3d Learning Objects. The website has two areas: a public area where Interactive3d Learning Objects can be downloaded; and a members’ area from where editable objects can be downloaded by the “Country members”, “localised”, and put back to be shared by others.

Material available on the website so far includes, for example: bee keeping for emerging farmers; PC literacy (based on the ICDL); and material that addresses the principles of basic hygiene (originally piloted in Nakaseke, Uganda and now modified to follow the Interactive3d Learning Object framework).

A historic and proud milestone was, however, achieved in March this year, when material on how to build a pit-latrine was translated into Shona by Worldlinks in Harare (an Ndebele version is also on its way). Previously, other Interactive3d Learning Object material had been translated into the more conventional European languages - French by Senegal (University of Dakar), and Portuguese in Mozambique (Eduardo Mondlane University). The Shona material is the first Interactive3d Learning Object to be made available in an African language. The same material will soon also be available in Sotho as well as Shangaan.

This is everything but the end of the road at the Naledi3d Factory regarding Interactive3d Learning Objects. This project has laid a solid foundation and pointed the way to the future. A road-map is being developed for a medium and long term action plan that will focus on expanding the network and the number of Interactive3d Learning Objects available to educators that will address many subject areas, for example rural development and agriculture, industrial skills development, energy conservation, heritage and science and technology education.