H5P as an alternative to SmartSparrow

SmartSparrow will be shut down at the end of 2020.

The SmartSparrow platform that some staff have used to create interactive learning activities will shut down at the end of 2020. If you are currently using SmartSparrow, you will need to migrate your content to another suitable platform. Learning Environments has been liaising with SmartSparrow, who are working towards supporting the exporting of the platform content into XML, PDF, HTML and Common Cartridge formats.

Learning Environments are recommending that you first consider whether you can replicate your SmartSparrow activities natively in Canvas. For richer and more complex interactive activities, you will need to consider H5P.

H5P is an institutionally-supported platform that provides a good migration path to create highly interactive learning activities.

H5P allows staff to easily create highly engaging activities that can be embedded seamlessly into Canvas subjects and communities. A wide range of interactivity types including “drag and drop images”, “image hotspots”, “course presentation", “branching scenario”, “mark the words”, “fill in the blank”, “chart” (for easy bar and pie charts) and “multiple choice” are supported.  There are currently 30 different interactivity types that are easy to author, and others will be added over time.

H5P interactivity types include:

• Virtual Tour (360)
• Interactive Video
• Course Presentation

For further information about H5P, please see the H5P guide. You can also find ABP-specific guides on virtual tours at the following location: Virtual Site Visits