Facilitating student engagement and achievement with interactive H5P videos: A case study on a Y2 EAP module

Blended learning is a relatively new approach to promoting digital literacy and improving learning outcomes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). This approach integrates face-to-face and online learning, with students engaging in multimodal activities on a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), such as Moodle, alongside activities in the traditional EAP classroom. However, the online component of the blend is often limited by low student uptake, limited satisfaction, and unclear learning outcomes. Our study, therefore, sought to increase online engagement and academic performance by integrating interactive HTML5 (H5P) videos into the institutional VLE platform, enabling students to engage with content flexibly, both within and beyond the classroom. Using Moodle analytics data (N = 107), test scores from formative assessments, and semi-structured interviews (N = 13), we investigated student engagement, satisfaction, and academic performance at a transnational university in China. Results from observations and interviews suggest increases in cognitive, behavioural, and affective engagement. This appears to have translated into improved academic performance as evidenced by a correlational analysis of Moodle engagement and test scores. We therefore conclude by highlighting the usefulness of interactive H5P videos for increasing engagement and academic performance on an EAP course.