H5P is a free, open-source content authoring tool that allows educators to create interactive activities including videos, quizzes, games, and presentations. H5P is an abbreviation for HTML 5 Package. This translates to H5P as a self-contained activity created in the most recent version of webpage language (HyperText Markup Language). It is a plug-in tool for interactive content created by a company called Joubel.

H5P is a modular tool, so it can be used on websites, in Canvas and other LMS sites, and in eBooks like MODPress. Once an activity has been created, it is fully responsive and device friendly, which means students can access the resources on any device at any time.

There are no technical skills required to create or use an H5P activity. They are also set up to be reused, shared, and adapted. So, if you find one being used somewhere that you like, you can usually adapt it for your own use with ease.

I would like to share with you some of my favorite H5P activity content types for use in the classroom.

1. Interactive Video

The interactive video is perfect if you already have a video that you want to enrich with interactive elements. It is easy to add different types of interactions, such as images, text, links, and quizzes, at different stages during the video playback. Interactions can be selected to appear directly or as a button that learners can choose to click to reveal.

This example has embedded quiz questions.

2. Course Presentation

The Course Presentation is useful when you want to present a topic. With this tool, you can combine information slides with images, audio, and many types of interactions like interactive summaries, multiple-choice questions, and interactive videos, wherever you want within a standard presentation structure.

Here is an example I helped a colleague create.

3. The Accordion

The Accordion is useful when you want to allow students to explore information. With this tool, you can present information in a stacked “drop-down menu”. This can be great for definitions or further explanations.

Here is an example a colleague created.

4. Image Hotspots

The Image Hotspots is useful when you want to allow students to explore parts of an image. With this tool, you can present information in the form of texts, images, or videos when clicked.

Here is an example I found.

There are about 55 different activity types that can be created using H5P. Clearly, I won’t be discussing them all. When created correctly, by that I mean all of the information is included and appropriate choices are made, most of the H5P activities are accessible. The content is tested for screen readers, keyboard navigation, zooming, code inspection, and more, by Joubel. If the H5P creator makes a mistake, it can cause accessibility issues. This is usually in terms of subtitle errors, wrong contrast colors, or missing information in the metadata.

You can find the complete list of accessible H5P content types here.

** Advice: If you are interested in creating an interactive activity using H5P, approach it the same way you would the creation of a quiz or class activity. Have your materials ready first. That will make the process much easier.

You can find tutorials on how to create H5P types here.

You can find a repository of H5P content that can be filtered by major here. Another H5P repository is being developed by Joubel and is almost finished.

You can also reach out to me, Christine Jones at GCC, or check with your CTL or CTLE for your campus H5P Champion for guidance.