6 Reasons To Convert Flash To HTML5
The Flash Player was introduced by Macromedia in the year 1996. For over two decades, Flash remained the undisputed king in the training world, with advanced, creative content—and interactivity-creation abilities on the web—ranging from animations to videos, and much more. However, its failure to evolve with changing learning demands (such as mobile learning) and increasing security vulnerabilities have led to its impending phase-out by 2020. So, why is this a cause of concern and why should you convert Flash to HTML5?
If your organization doesn’t want to lose great learning content developed over the years, it’s time to convert your eLearning courses from Flash to HTML5. To help you seal the deal, here’s why your organization should consider converting Flash-based eLearning courses to HTML5:
1. Lack Of Support For Multi-Device Online Learning
According to a report by Google [1], 57% of people use more than one kind of device to get things done, on a single day. How is this relevant to your online training program? With the increasing proportion of mobile users, organizations have realized that mobile devices play an imperative role as additional touchpoints for disseminating learning. However, Flash-based eLearning courses are incompetent when it comes to leveraging effective mobile learning.
Flash was designed for desktops and not the touchscreens of mobile devices. For instance, you must have noticed rollovers in many Flash websites, which display information when you hover the mouse over a particular spot. When it comes to modern-day mobile devices with the multi-touch interface, there is no concept of rollovers.
Much like Flash websites, Flash-based eLearning courses also need to be rewritten to support touch-based mobile devices. However, you can avoid this when you convert Flash to HTML5. If you want to make your eLearning courses device-agnostic, replacing Flash with HTML5 should be your priority before the clock strikes the end of 2020.
Flash-based Learning courses converted to HTML5 will work seamlessly on PCs as well as mobile devices. HTML5 allows your learners to move beyond the confines of rollovers and offer seamless, uninterrupted learning experiences.
2. Browser Incompatibility
Although Flash can be enabled from the Chrome settings, Google has announced it will completely block Flash from functioning under its browser by 2020. Mozilla would have disabled Flash for most users by 2019 and only users running the Firefox Extended Support Release can continue using Flash until the end of 2020 [2]. Flash will also be blocked on Internet Explorer by the end of 2020. Hence, apart from operating systems, your Flash-based courses won’t function even in browsers, making it important to replace them with HTML5 to enable browser compatibility.
Converting from Flash to HTML5 makes your eLearning courses browser-compatible, without having to incur cost on recreating existing courses. Additionally, HTML5 is an open web markup language recognized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and incorporated in all modern-day browsers, which provides a more long-term option.
3. Online Learning Interrupted
Mobile learning is quickly catching up in all workspaces by all types for learners, including the remote workforce. However, your Flash-based eLearning courses can’t meet this demand and also lead to issues such as delayed loading and heavy battery consumption, that can be frustrating to learners.
For instance, let’s take the example of videos in eLearning courses. Most chips in modern-day devices use a decoder called the H.246 which is adopted by organizations such as Google, Netflix, and Apple.
However, Flash websites use an older generation decoder, that runs in the software. This results in faster battery drainage compared to H.264 videos, which can run up to 10 hours. Hence, videos in Flash-based courses can certainly hinder smooth learning, considering the growing use of mobile devices for learning.
Also, Flash-based eLearning courses are generally longer in duration, sometimes more than an hour. Do you think such lengthy courses will still hold your modern-day learners’ attention for long? Surely, not! Convert lengthy eLearning courses from Flash to HTML5, and offer the right information your employees need through microlearning modules.
Additionally, you can even incorporate various digital formats such as infographics, videos, and podcasts to ensure learners are thoroughly engaged during the online training program.
4. Vulnerable Security Of eLearning Courses
Flash has been plagued by security lapses due to the need for external plugins and failure to provide security updates faster. On the other hand, converting your eLearning from Flash to HTML5 will allow your learners to run courses, videos, or applications without having to download any proprietary plugins, eliminating the threat to your confidential information.
Moreover, security updates in HTML5 are done through web browsers and applied faster than the patch files in Flash plugins. Needless to say, replacing Flash-based eLearning courses with HTML5 makes your online courses more secure and reliable for use.
5. Dated eLearning Strategies
As discussed earlier, Flash courses are often lengthy and cumbersome. During the Flash to HTML5 conversion process, you can restructure existing courses to mobile-friendly micromodules and incorporate newer interactivities, thanks to the new generation authoring tools. Doing so ensures investments are not locked in courses developed using older technologies such as Flash.
Also, the way online learning is delivered has seen a considerable change. Apart from learning-on-the-go enabled by responsive design, today’s time-stricken learners look for short-learning nuggets that can provide just the right amount of information. Additionally, to leverage accepted models such as the 70.20.10 model, your organization can incorporate social and informal learning elements in your online training program when converting Flash to HTML5. HTML5 facilitates the adoption and use of xAPI, gamification, and other new-age learning strategies.
6. Costly To Redevelop Existing eLearning Courses
Converting your Flash-based eLearning courses from Flash to HTML5 allows you to save additional training dollars by eliminating the need to redevelop legacy courses from scratch. You can check for the validity of your content and if it still holds good, go ahead with the conversion. You can convert Flash to HTML5 despite the lack of source files, and in a whole host of different situations.
Thankfully, Adobe has given time until 2020 for converting your eLearning courses from Flash to HTML5. And with so much to gain from converting Flash to HTML5, take stock and do the right thing today!
References:
[1] Latest mobile trends show how people use their devices
[2] Firefox Roadmap for Flash End-of-Life