Staying focused during online learning can be tough. A 2010 study found that students often lose focus in less than a minute. One of the most effective ways to keep learners engaged is through interactive e-learning, which encourages active participation instead of passive watching or reading. This kind of learning not only grabs attention but also improves how well students retain information. In this article, we will introduce you to a free, open-source, and beginner-friendly tool that makes creating interactive content easy. So, what is H5P?
Let’s start with the basics: What is H5P (HTML5 Package)?
So, what is H5P? Simply put, the HTML5 Package is an open-source tool that lets you create interactive content using JavaScript. According to the official website:
“H5P is a plugin for existing publishing systems that enables the system to create interactive content like Interactive Videos, Presentations, Games, Quizzes and more! (…) H5P is also available for programmers and professional self-hosters as a plugin for the below publishing systems. The plugin has fewer features and no support included, but is fully customize-able for programmers and possible to host behind firewalls etc.”
You basically have two ways to use H5P:
- One option is to embed content from H5P.com. This requires a subscription fee, but you will get access to tech support and will not need to worry about any of the technical setup.
- The other option is to self-host H5P on your own website or LMS. This is completely free, but you will need to handle the setup yourself, which is actually quite simple.
With H5P, you can create interactive charts, image collages, notes, crosswords, dialog cards, fill-in-the-blanks, quizzes, word searches, interactive videos, course presentations, and much more. Best of all, you can do all of this without custom development, or coding. Now, let’s look at why H5P is a smart addition to your LMS.
Why should you use H5P for your LMS?
Online learning is bigger than ever. Nearly half of all students have completed some form of online education in the last year, and the trend is only growing. If you want your course to stand out, it is time to move beyond traditional slides and basic quizzes. This is where H5P comes in; a powerful, free tool that helps you deliver engaging and interactive learning experiences.
Keeps learners engaged
While our content consumption habits have evolved, many teaching methods have not kept up. To truly capture students’ attention, we need fresh approaches. Research consistently shows that interactive learning keeps students focused longer, helps them remember more, and often leads to better academic performance.
Free and open-source
H5P is completely free to use and open-source, meaning you can integrate it into your LMS without worrying about extra costs. It is also user-friendly – most of the time, you do not need to write a single line of code.
Works on any device
H5P is fully mobile-friendly. Whether your learners are on a desktop or smartphone, everything will look and work great thanks to its responsive design.
Seamlessly fits your LMS or CMS
Adding H5P content to platforms like Moodle or Totara is straightforward and does not require custom development. It also works with popular content management systems like WordPress and Drupal.
Examples of H5P content types
H5P is used on more than 17000 websites worldwide. One reason for its popularity is the wide variety of content types it offers. With H5P, you can create dozens of interactive elements that help students better understand your lessons – everything from videos and crosswords to “guess the answer” activities. Below, we will highlight just three examples to give you a sense of what is possible. If you are curious to see more, we highly recommend visiting the official H5P website.
H5P interactive video
Turn any video into an engaging learning experience by adding questions, pop-ups, and prompts directly into the video. It is a great way to keep students active while they watch and test their understanding along the way.
H5P timeline
H5P timelines are a great way to present historical events, project milestones, or any sequence of information. With H5P, you can build interactive timelines that are easy to navigate and visually engaging.
H5P flashcard
H5P flashcard lets you create digital flashcards that combine text and images. These are perfect for quick reviews, vocabulary practice, or any kind of bite-sized learning content.
How to implement H5P in Moodle or Totara?
Adding H5P to a modern LMS like Moodle or Totara is a simple process, though you might need some technical support along the way. If you want to make sure everything goes smoothly, Skoll is here to help. With over 15 years of experience, we have the expertise to implement H5P in Moodle or Totara and handle any custom development you need. Plus, we tailor our prices to fit the unique needs of each customer.
