HIVE (Hypermedia Interactive Virtual Environment) – Utilizing HTML5 and instructional design to improve online learning

The aim of this paper is to summarize the challenges faced in online learning and the instructional design of online learning tools brought about by the emergent technologies of HTML5. The argumentation draws on an overview of contemporary research on the design of educational technologies, together with the affordances and technologies of HTML5. Consequently, the contributions of this paper are that the imminent web technologies of HTML5 in combination with instructional design changes in an online learning environment that uses hypermedia and constructivist learning principles can make a dramatic difference in the effectiveness and improve the learning outcomes and experience of online learning tools. HTML5 represents a revolution in how online learning tools can be implemented in the future. Finally, the author proposes that a prototype called a HIVE (Hypermedia Interactive Virtual Environment) be developed to harness the power of HTML5 to deliver interactive content for online learning