Blog #6: Gene Editing Comes Alive: Creating an Interactive Learning Object with H5P

Visit my H5P site here: https://georgiancollege1.h5p.com/content/1292575953776100368

In biotechnology education, few topics capture students' curiosity as much as gene editing. But explaining the precision and complexity of CRISPR-Cas9 in a classroom, especially online, can be challenging. That’s why I created an interactive learning object using H5P, designed to bring the CRISPR process to life through visuals, quizzes, and scenario-based learning.

This learning object, titled "Welcome to CRISPR in Action," is based on one of the immersive VR ideas from my Module 7 proposal. While full virtual reality simulations are powerful, not every learner has access to headsets or high-end hardware. H5P offered a browser-based alternative that supports accessibility and interactivity across devices - perfect for college biotechnology students learning in hybrid formats.

🎯 Learning Objective

Learners will be able to identify and describe the five stages of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and apply their knowledge to propose appropriate gene-editing strategies in a patient case study.

📚 Content Overview

The objective starts with an explainer of CRISPR-Cas9, to walk students through:

1. Target DNA identification

2. Guide RNA binding

3. Cas9 cleavage

4. DNA repair (NHEJ and HDR)

5. Verification of edit success

   
   

The stages are paired with definitions, multiple choice questions, quizzes, fill-in-the-blanks, case studies, and more. After the walkthrough, learners complete a an application task: selecting a gene-editing approach for a patient with a sickle cell mutation.

🧪 Why It Works for Biotech Students

In my classes, students often understand gene editing in theory, but struggle to explain it step-by-step or apply it to clinical examples. This learning object tackles that by combining chunked content, multimedia supports, and interaction - a trio shown to enhance STEM comprehension (Kay & Knaack, 2007).

It’s also inclusive. H5P allows for keyboard navigation, alt text, and screen-reader support, making it accessible to students with varying needs. From a curriculum design perspective, it’s reusable in multiple modules - molecular biology, genetic engineering, or even ethics in biotechnology.

🛠️ Why I Chose H5P

I considered a few tools like Genially and Twine, but ultimately chose H5P for its ease of integration with Blackboard (our LMS) and its strong support for interactive content types. It allowed me to create an engaging, low-barrier learning object without requiring advanced coding or third-party plugins.

Best practices for creating effective learning objects include clear learning goals, modular content, and learner control (Wiley, 2000). H5P supports all of these, plus open sharing for educators to reuse or modify. As Wiley noted, learning objects should be “small enough to be reusable but rich enough to support real learning” (2000, p. 12).

🔗 Try the Learning Object

Here’s the link to explore “CRISPR in Action”: https://georgiancollege1.h5p.com/content/1292575953776100368

No login required - just click and explore!

Whether you’re teaching undergrad biotech or supporting faculty in instructional design, this object is adaptable and easy to embed. I’d love your feedback - especially on how it plays in your LMS or what additional scaffolds would help students go deeper.

🔍 References

Kay, R. H., & Knaack, L. (2007). Evaluating the learning in learning objects. Open

Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 22(1), 5–28.

https://doi.org/10.1080/02680510601100135

Wiley, D. A. (2000). Connecting learning objects to instructional design theory:

A definition, a metaphor, and a taxonomy. In D. A. Wiley (Ed.), The

instructional use of learning objects.