There are so many tools and frameworks for creating eLearning content these days that it can be hard to figure out the best way to go. So we’ve put together a quick guide to H5P, what it is, how it works, and how it can benefit your eLearning content creation.
As an open-source learning provider, it should come as no surprise that we love an open-source content collaboration framework. And that’s exactly what H5P is!
What Is H5P? And How Does it Work?
H5P is an abbreviation of HTML5 Package. HTML5 has been an important part of software and content development for a while now. It’s great for creating dynamic visuals and engaging animations, which is ideal for eLearning content.
H5P allows eLearning designers and developers to create dynamic digital learning content directly in their browser. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require the download of heavy tools and software, which can slow the process down.
H5P essentially allows you to upgrade your current learning content across any device. And it comes with a really simple interface.
8 Benefits of Creating eLearning Content With H5P
But beyond the basics, why use this content creation framework over any of the others? Here’s a rundown of our favorite things about creating learning content in H5P.
1) Open-Source Tech Provides the Benefit of Others’ Experience
As you know, we’re big champions of open source. And one of the best things about it, whether it’s an LMS or a content creation tool, is that you have the benefit of other peoples’ experience right at your fingertips.
The fact that H5P is open source means that you can access forums and documentation created by other people who are already familiar with it. A lot of open-source technology (and H5P is no exception!) has a big community around it where people can learn from each other and develop the functionality even further.
2.) Free to Use
H5P is free to use, which can help you to cut costs when it comes to creating eLearning content. Sometimes, yes, you get what you pay for. But due to the community and forums that exist around H5P, what you actually get—for free—is access to a plethora of information, guides, tools, and best practices.
Plus, H5P isn’t just used for learning content. HTML5 is used to create all kinds of dynamic content including ads and web pages. While these are normally the domain of product or marketing teams, there’s a lot that can be learned from that side of H5P’s userbase as well. Marketing is all about conversion and you can bring those practices over to your eLearning content to improve learning engagement and usability throughout your training content.
3.) Easy to Access Documentation and Support
There’s no need to guess or hope it works in a similar way to other content authoring frameworks you might’ve used. H5P comes with easy and accessible documentation and support. Not only do you have easy access to the user and developer forums (thank you open source!), but H5P’s website is full of helpful content and how-to guides.
H5P has a relatively simple interface, making it easy to use and easy to pick up. Because of its integrations with most LMSs, including Moodle™, it’s an easy solution to roll out in your L&D team, or with the people responsible for taking face-to-face instruction online.
4.) Embed Your Learning Content Anywhere
Learning doesn’t just have to take place in an LMS. In fact, some of the best learning campaigns are not only blended but have entry points in multiple places. You could, for example, create HTML5 files with H5P that sit on your website, intranet, or Moodle™ portal.
Being able to embed this learning content in other places will allow you to reach more students and broaden the learning experience.
5.) Create a Variety of Content Types
When you’re creating eLearning content, variety is vital to keep your students engaged beyond the classroom. Whether it’s different visual elements, interactive design, or different methodologies of learning, you can create a huge range of learning materials with H5P.
Content types available to create with H5P include:
- Hot spot graphics – these include pop-ups, information boxes, and other interactive elements that become available on click or hover-over
- Interactive videos – embed quizzes and other elements into the videos within your learning content to keep things interactive and stop your students from switching off
- Interactive presentations – similar to the above, you can use HTML5 to make slide decks more interactive and engaging
- Learning games – you can even use H5P to create learning games. You won’t be able to make something hugely complex, but simple games can be enough to keep learners engaged
- Flashcards and interactive study guides – flashcards are a popular choice for exam revision and can also be useful in digital learning. Interactive and dynamic flashcards can help students to learn terminology and remember core pieces of information
- Textbooks – yes, even textbooks are an option in H5P! You can create interactive digital textbooks, which can be a huge help for students. Not only are you saving them money but you’re also giving them access to their core texts from anywhere. No physical book required
6.) Build Branching Scenarios
The dynamic content you’re creating doesn’t have to only fit into one structure. You can also build branching scenarios in H5P. The simple interface makes it easy to drag and drop the content you’ve already created into these branched scenarios which can, in turn, increase knowledge retention among your students.
Branching scenarios can be hugely beneficial for both student uptake and engagement with the learning program. They allow you to customize the same chunk of learning to different student needs and requirements, from accessibility to adapting to different specialisms in the subject. Branching in this way also cuts down on development time as there’s less editing and changing things down the line.
7.) Create Learning Content at Scale
Using H5P to create dynamic digital learning content allows you to scale your learning programs. Whether your students are learning entirely online, in person, or a hybrid of both, you can use open-source tech to build out your learning courses and reduce the stress on your teaching staff.
These digital elements of your learning, which can be easily plugged into Moodle™, Totara, and a range of other learning systems, provide additional tools for your students to improve their education. And because it’s digital, you only need to create these modules, scenarios, videos, or presentations once and send them out to all your students. As we touched on earlier, the way H5P operates means that adjustments are easy without the need for cumbersome development projects.
8.) Easy Integrations With Moodle™, Totara, and Most LMSs
H5P has fully-functioning integrations with a range of learning systems, including Moodle™ and Totara, which makes the whole process that much easier. So you can create learning content for your students safe in the knowledge that it will work absolutely fine with the platform you’re already using.
Once you have the integration in place, you can start to add HTML5 elements to your learning content or create brand-new content from scratch in H5P. And even better, you can do it all from your browser so there’s no need to buy or download new software.
