Why is the eLearning industry shifting to HTML5?

There isn’t any doubt that the eLearning industry is evolving. Curriculum is becoming more interactive and, at the same time, an increasing number of learners are using mobile devices to access eLearning courses. As a consequence, the way that eLearning Professionals design, create, and deliver eLearning courses is rapidly changing, or at least it should be. Nowadays, HTML5 is being used by eLearning Professionals from all around the globe, thanks to its versatility and its variety of features.

The primary reason for the shift to HTML5 eLearning authoring tools is the massive usage of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets (namely the iPad and iPhone) in almost all aspects of our everyday lives. In addition, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) support is on the rise. In 2013, Cisco’s BYOD Insights report revealed that 9 in 10 Americans already use their smartphones for work purposes. I highly encourage you to check What BYOD Means for e-Learning.

Historically, eLearning courses have been designed using Adobe Flash, which has allowed eLearning Professionals to deliver content that was more immersive and effective. However, many mobile devices do not support Adobe Flash, creating a major problem for those who have been relying upon the Adobe Flash to produce eLearning courses. HTML5, on the other hand, is supported on a wide range of platforms and browsers. As such, users are able to take their eLearning courses with them, rather than having to be tied to a computer. It also allows for offline storage and data management, even when the user is not connected to the Internet. In addition, HTML5 eLearning courses actually use less CPU space and battery power, which means that they can typically run faster and more efficiently than Flash-based courses.

There are a few drawbacks associated with HTML5 that you should keep in mind. One of the most significant limitations is that it doesn’t work on older browsers, such as Internet Explorer 8. Also, eLearning courses that include Flash are able to support audio and video directly while HTML5 requires video/audio tags or links. A few months ago, I answered the question Is HTML5 ready for the eLearning Industry? in a brief article that you may want to read. Also, as you probably know, HTML5 is also newer than Adobe Flash. Therefore, you’ll find that there aren’t as many resources available for this younger design tool. With that being said, thanks to the growing number of mobile device users and BYOD rise, it’s safe to say that HTML5 eLearning Authoring Tools are likely to become invaluable within the eLearning industry.

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