The next steps


This is everything but the end of the road. We have now laid a solid foundation, but there is still much to be done...

 

A road-map and medium and long term action plan is being developed that will focus on expanding the network and the number of Interactive3d Learning Objects available to educators.

 

Our vision is to move the i3dlo initiative forward by moving from the present ad hoc, incremental PROJECT approach to a future that is based on a much broader PROGRAMME of proactive, integrated activities.  This model builds on ten years of experience developing the interactive learning object concept as well as a good understanding of what has - and has not - worked. It also builds on an underlying knowledge paradigm viewpoint.

 

The model

This approach has evolved from our experiences over time and we believe offers a more sustainable and diversified funding model; as well as a way to significantly grow the initiative. It was also a fundamental reason for the success of our recent work with World Links Zimbabwe and small-holding farmers in Zimbabwe.

                                    

 

Thrust 1: i3dlo advocacy and coordination

Work in this area will provide a central focus for the i3dlo initiative – by seeking new country partners and re-connecting with our older partners - and helping them to develop proposals that focus on localisation and implementation work that addresses important issues in their own countries; as well as to grow the skills required to perform these activities. Importantly, the coordination role will ensure that all material developed will also be made freely available via this web portal so that other country teams can use the material themselves locally as and where appropriate.


Thrust 2: Specific country projects

Funded via separate, focused project funding, country teams working with the i3dlo initiative will team up with the Naledi3d Factory (as 3D / i3dlo content developers) to translate i3dlo’s into local languages -  and use the resulting new i3dlo’s in implementation programmes within their country.

 

This approach, which will have a more focused drive will:

Help to build a significant on-line library of interactive3d learning objects

Contribute to the creation of a universal, freely accessible knowledge-base of visual i3dlo's covering many knowledge domains - from general education to adult-based learning and from technical skills to the development of life skills

Build a solid pan-African network that is able not only to localise this material, but also to use the visual material in local implementation programmes.

 

Finally, it will also help to move towards our ultimate vision – an on-line portal of 4 000 or more i3dlo’s, each in over 20 African languages – that are made freely available to educators and learners across the continent.

 

Building on this vision, we want to engage with more country partners, to address many more subject areas, (for example rural development and agriculture, industrial skills development, energy conservation, heritage and science and technology education) - that can be used, adapted and "localised" by our country partners and nodes.