The Naledi3d Factory explores new learning domains
with the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa
OSISA) and UNESCO
September 2005
"VR in Africa for Africa by Africa…
The Naledi3d Factory has embarked on two great new projects.
Our project for OSISA is all about creating 3D interactive learning material to teach basic PC literacy. Using the International Computer Driver's Licence (ICDL) curriculum as a basic reference framework we're developing a number of VR models to show and allow the exploration of the functioning of some components (e.g. hard-drive, mouse, etc.) of a typical PC, as well as their usability and how they should be maintained.
The aim is not to convey a deeply technical explanation but rather to help people understand how the various parts of a PC interact etc. We believe that if a person sees how the various components work and fit together, then they are truly empowered to use a PC.
One of the major innovations of this project is that the design of the content will also be based on the concept of learning objects, or in this case, what we call "Interactive 3d Learning Objects" - an interactive 3D simulation that describes a single phenomenon - or a total process. Although one of the major powers of VR-based content is the fact that the learning material is visual, we also use language (in the form of audio and text) to expand on various concepts. However, we have also developed a method of changing the audio and text that is user-friendly,
We've also started on a project for UNESCO in respect of Malaria prevention. Malaria kills more than one million people every year. Ninety percent of the people infected by this terrible disease live in sub-Saharan Africa. We believe that VR can play an important role in educating people about this disease and how to protect themselves against it.
Building on the success of our UNESCO funded Nakaseke basic hygiene project, we intend to "demystify" malaria and help communities to better understand the issues that surround Malaria in a visually appealing way. We aim to give them a "hands-on" opportunity to find out what Malaria is and what it does, how to prevent it, treatments (spraying, etc.) and how to eliminate breeding areas.
As with our OSISA project we'll be basing our design on some of the concepts encapsulated in Interactive-3d Learning Objects, especially the ability to "localise" the language elements.
For more information, please contact Dave Lockwood at the Naledi3d Factory
