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Overview

H5P is a program catered specifically for the creating, sharing, and reuse of HTML5 content and applications (H5P, 2020; eCampus, 2020). Through H5P.org or eCampus H5P Studio, users can access the program. Within the program, users can create several interactive components such as quizzes, presentations, videos, and games independently or in collaboration (H5P, 2020; eCampus, 2020). Once completed, an iframe code allows users to directly embed their work into different Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas and websites (H5P, 2020; eCampus, 2020). H5P eCampus Studio is a collaborative program where users can choose to share their creations within a central catalog, allowing others to embed the activity directly or copy it as a template to create their interactive activity (eCampus, 2020).

Watch the H5P.org and eCampus Ontario H5P videos for a quick tour of the software.

Critique and Implications for Education

Benefits

Rekhari and Sinnayah (2018) highlight that providing students with a range of online tools creates a non-threatening environment increasing interactivity and informal testing to increase overall engagement. H5P is an excellent open-source software providing several different interactive activities to complement diverse curriculum needs. The software offers a mobile-friendly method of using HTLM5 content, eliminating large SCORM files and adobe flash programs (Rekhari and Sinnayah, 2018). Completed content is easy to add to (using embed iframe code) or create in (with downloaded plug-ins from H5P.org) different LMSs such as Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard or websites such as Google Sites and WordPress (Singleton, 2019).

Many different activities such as flashcards, matching, hot-spots, fill in the blanks, and branching scenarios are available and have the option to provide students with comprehensive immediate feedback (Singleton, 2019). Click on the activities to view the development tutorials for each. Homanova et al. (2019) concluded that H5P is an excellent tool to help support elementary students’ problem-solving skills through interactive activities and problem tasks.

The eCampus H5P Studio allows for collaboration between colleagues and the 45 different institutional partners with access (eCampus, 2020). Shared published activities are available in a central catalog enabling users to embed them directly into their LMS or use them as a template to create a new activity (eCampus, 2020). H5P is always looking for feedback and ways to improve; since the beginning of the pandemic, several updates, including voice recording, fixing the bug preventing books from being embedded, and increased collaboration capabilities, were updated (H5P, 2020)

Try the following memory card game created in H5P to learn the benefits of open access material.

Challenges

The use and popularity of H5P activities have grown exponentially, but there are some shortfalls with the software. There are specific plug-ins available for different LMS systems and websites that enable the creator to view student activity and for grades to sync with the program grade book (H5P, 2020). Unfortunately, if you are accessing your LMS through an institution, the plug-in may not be available, decreasing overall H5P integration capabilities. Downloading the plug-in is at the discretion of the institution and its Information Technology department. If you feel this information would benefit you, reach out to IT to advocate for plug-in integration.

The H5P.org site is very confusing to navigate, especially when compared to the eCampus Ontario Studio. A forum for collaboration is available; however, it can be challenging to find specific information. The website includes a search engine, but when you select your topic, recommended fixes appear with older posts first, forcing the user to search through several comments for up-to-date information. There seems to be a community for sharing, but users need to develop an activity and apply for approval to gain access (H5P, 2020).

Several H5P reviews are available on g2.com, highlighting a common theme; it can be challenging to learn how to develop the activities despite the tutorials. Reviewers expressed the need to access outside videos via YouTube and Google to assist with activity creation (g2, 2020). Mathematical equations, specifically those with fractions, are challenging to incorporate into the quiz option. An outside software known as LaTex and coding is necessary for mathematical expressions in H5P; for many users, this could be outside of their technological scope (H5P, 2020). However, instructions for integrating mathematical equations into H5P content are available. Before getting started with H5P, take some time to assess the different activity options. Several activities can only generate one question, and it can be frustrating to start development and realize it won’t meet your needs. For generating quizzes with multiple items, a question set or column is the way to go. Click on the activities to view the development tutorials for each. Collaboration within eCampus Studio is limited to those with access to the software, posing potential difficulties when collaborating with outside agencies.

Watch the following video for examples of curriculum integration.

Access and Cost

H5P.org is a free, open-source resource; however, a new platform H5P.com is available as a stand-alone hosting service for users who do not want to set up and maintain their websites (H5P, 2020). Pricing plans are available.

ECampus Ontario H5P Studio is open source and free for individuals associated with the 45 eCampus institutional partners.

About the Author

References

eCampusOntario, (2020). Introduction to eCampusOntario H5P Studio. YouTube. https://youtu.be/u_YfMjmX4Qo

eCampusOntario H5P Studio, (2020). Catalogue. https://h5pstudio.ecampusontario.ca/

French, P. (2020). Benefits of Open Access [interactive game]. eCampusOntario H5P Studio.

G2, (2020). H5P Reviews and Product Details. https://www.g2.com/products/h5p/reviews

Homanova, Z., Prextova, T., Tran, D., & Kostolanyova, K. (2019). Using H5P Interactive Teaching Aids to Solve Problems. European Conference on e-Learning, 214–XIII. https://doi.org/10.34190/EEL.19.052

H5P, (2020). H5P. https://h5p.org/

Rekhari, S. & Sinnayah, P. (2018). H5P and Innovation in Anatomy and Physiology Teaching. In D. Wache and D. Houston (Eds.), Research and Development in Higher Education: (Re)Valuing Higher Education, 41 (pp 191 – 205). Adelaide, Australia, 2-5 July 2018.

Singleton, R., & Charlton, A. (2019). Creating H5P content for active learning. Pacific Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2(1), 13-14. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjtel.v2i1.3