For this project, I experimented with a different way of using Copilot to support instructional design. Rather than relying on it to create full scripts or multimedia content, I focused on its ability to generate text-based elements such as learning outcomes and activity suggestions aligned with Bloom’s taxonomy. This approach was intentional because my goal was to design interactives in H5P, and I wanted to see how well Copilot could contribute to the planning stage without taking over the creative or technical aspects.
Copilot chat (unedited). Warning: it’s a long read!
Copilot chat for Creating H5P Activities
Today
You said:
Let’s make some H5P activities for microlearning basic information literacy skills. Please generate activity type suggestions with 2 learning outcomes each that align with Blooms taxonomy for the following information literacy skills: how to read a scholarly journal article, developing a research topic, and evaluating information using the SIFT method.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here are some H5P activity type suggestions for each skill, with two learning outcomes aligned to Bloom’s taxonomy:
1. How to Read a Scholarly Journal Article
Activity Type: Interactive Video
Embed a short video explaining article structure with clickable hotspots for definitions (abstract, methods, discussion).
Learning Outcomes:
Understand: Identify the purpose of each section in a scholarly article.
Apply: Use section headings to locate specific information within an article.
Activity Type: Drag and Drop
Learners match article sections to their functions.
Learning Outcomes:
Remember: Recall common components of a scholarly article.
Analyze: Distinguish between sections that summarize findings versus those that explain methodology.
2. Developing a Research Topic
Activity Type: Branching Scenario
Learners choose from broad topics and refine them through guided questions.
Learning Outcomes:
Apply: Narrow a broad subject into a focused research question.
Evaluate: Judge whether a research question is specific and researchable.
Activity Type: Fill in the Blanks
Provide sentences with missing keywords for topic refinement (e.g., “My topic is ______ because ______”).
Learning Outcomes:
Understand: Explain why a topic needs to be narrowed for effective research.
Create: Formulate a clear, focused research question.
3. Evaluating Information Using the SIFT Method
Activity Type: Quiz (Multiple Choice + True/False)
Questions about applying SIFT steps to sample sources.
Learning Outcomes:
Understand: Describe each step of the SIFT method.
Apply: Use SIFT to determine the credibility of a source.
Activity Type: Interactive Book
Learners explore examples of sources with embedded reflection questions.
Learning Outcomes:
Analyze: Compare sources to identify signs of bias or misinformation.
Evaluate: Decide whether a source is trustworthy based on SIFT criteria.
Would you like me to design one complete H5P activity for each skill, including instructions, content, and feedback, or create a full microlearning module outline with multiple activities per skill?
You said:
Design one complete h5p activity for each skill but let’s swap out the interactive video for skill 1 to be an image hotspot.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s a complete design for one H5P activity per skill, with the first activity using Image Hotspots instead of Interactive Video:
✅ Skill 1: How to Read a Scholarly Journal Article
Activity Type: Image Hotspots
Title: Explore the Anatomy of a Scholarly Article
Description: Learners click on hotspots placed over an image of a scholarly article to learn about each section.
Content:
Upload an image of a sample article layout (title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references).
Add hotspots for:
Abstract: “Summarizes the research question, methods, and findings.”
Introduction: “Provides background and states the research question.”
Methods: “Explains how the research was conducted.”
Results: “Presents the data and findings.”
Discussion: “Interprets results and connects them to the research question.”
References: “Lists sources cited in the article.”
Learning Outcomes:
Understand: Identify the purpose of each section in a scholarly article.
Apply: Use section headings to locate specific information within an article.
✅ Skill 2: Developing a Research Topic
Activity Type: Branching Scenario
Title: From Idea to Research Question
Description: Learners start with a broad topic and make choices to refine it into a focused research question.
Structure:
Start: “You want to research climate change. What’s your next step?”
Option A: “Pick a region” → leads to narrowing by geography.
Option B: “Pick an impact” → leads to narrowing by effect (e.g., agriculture, health).
Next: Add 2–3 more decision points (e.g., time frame, population).
End: Display the final research question and feedback: “Your question is specific and researchable.”
Learning Outcomes:
Apply: Narrow a broad subject into a focused research question.
Evaluate: Judge whether a research question is specific and researchable.
✅ Skill 3: Evaluating Information Using the SIFT Method
Activity Type: Quiz (Multiple Choice + True/False)
Title: Can You Trust This Source?
Description: Learners apply SIFT steps to evaluate a sample source.
Questions:
Multiple Choice: “What is the first step in SIFT?”
Options: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace claims (Correct: Stop)
True/False: “Checking other sources is part of ‘Investigate the source.’” (False)
Scenario Question: Show a screenshot of a tweet or article headline. Ask: “Which SIFT step would help you verify this claim?”
Options: Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, Trace claims (Correct: Find better coverage)
Learning Outcomes:
Understand: Describe each step of the SIFT method.
Apply: Use SIFT to determine the credibility of a source.
✅ Next Steps
Would you like me to:
Create full text and feedback for each activity (ready to copy into H5P)?
Provide a visual mock-up for the Image Hotspots activity (with hotspot labels)?
Or design a complete microlearning module outline that combines these activities into a flow?
You said:
Create full text and feedback for each activity that is ready to copy into H5P.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s a ready-to-copy package for each H5P activity, including titles, instructions, content, and feedback:
✅ Activity 1: How to Read a Scholarly Journal Article
Type: Image Hotspots
Title: Explore the Anatomy of a Scholarly Article
Instructions:
Click on each hotspot to learn about the purpose of different sections in a scholarly article.
Image: Use a screenshot or mock-up of a scholarly article layout.
Hotspots & Text:
Title & Authors:
Shows the topic and who conducted the research.
Abstract:
Summarizes the research question, methods, and findings in a brief paragraph.
Introduction:
Provides background information and states the research question or hypothesis.
Methods:
Explains how the research was conducted, including procedures and tools.
Results:
Presents the data and findings without interpretation.
Discussion:
Interprets the results, explains significance, and connects to the research question.
References:
Lists all sources cited in the article.
Feedback:
Great job! Understanding the structure of a scholarly article helps you quickly locate the information you need.
✅ Activity 2: Developing a Research Topic
Type: Branching Scenario
Title: From Idea to Research Question
Instructions:
Start with a broad topic and make choices to refine it into a focused research question.
Scenario Flow:
Start:
You want to research climate change. What’s your next step?
Option A: Pick a region → Great! Narrowing by geography makes your topic more specific.
Option B: Pick an impact → Excellent! Focusing on an effect helps define your scope.
Next Decision:
You chose to focus on agriculture. What’s next?
Option A: Choose a time frame → Adding a time frame makes your question more precise.
Option B: Choose a population → Good choice! This adds context to your research.
Final Outcome:
Your research question could be: “How has climate change affected crop yields in British Columbia over the past 20 years?”
Feedback:
Well done! A strong research question is specific, focused, and researchable.
✅ Activity 3: Evaluating Information Using the SIFT Method
Type: Quiz (Multiple Choice + True/False + Scenario)
Title: Can You Trust This Source?
Instructions:
Answer the questions to apply the SIFT method to evaluate sources.
Questions:
Multiple Choice:
What is the first step in the SIFT method?
A) Investigate the source
B) Stop
C) Find better coverage
D) Trace claims
Correct Answer: B) Stop
Feedback:
Correct! Always pause before sharing or trusting a source.
True/False:
Checking other sources is part of “Investigate the source.”
Correct Answer: False
Feedback:
Actually, checking other sources is part of “Find better coverage.” Investigating focuses on the original source’s credibility.
Scenario Question:
You see a tweet claiming a major scientific breakthrough. Which SIFT step would help you verify this claim?
A) Stop
B) Investigate the source
C) Find better coverage
D) Trace claims
Correct Answer: C) Find better coverage
Feedback:
Correct! Looking for other reliable sources covering the same claim helps confirm accuracy.
Final Feedback:
Great work! Using SIFT helps you avoid misinformation and make informed decisions.
✅ Next Step
Do you want me to bundle these into a single microlearning module outline with suggested sequencing and timing, or create downloadable text files for each activity so you can upload them directly into H5P?
You said:
Create downloadable text files
Copilot said:
Copilot
Analysis
Here are your downloadable text files with full H5P activity content:
Activity 1: Image Hotspots – Scholarly Article
Activity 2: Branching Scenario – Research Topic
Activity 3: Quiz – SIFT Method
✅ Each file includes title, instructions, content, and feedback, ready to copy into H5P.
Would you like me to also create a combined microlearning module outline that sequences these activities with timing and suggested intro/conclusion text?
Results and Reflection
Copilot chat (unedited) to further refine scholarly article sections text.
You said:
Expand on the sections of a scholarly journal article based on this information: Abstract: “Summarizes the research question, methods, and findings.”
Introduction: “Provides background and states the research question.”
Methods: “Explains how the research was conducted.”
Results: “Presents the data and findings.”
Discussion: “Interprets results and connects them to the research question.”
References: “Lists sources cited in the article.”The intended audience is freshmen undergraduates new to academic research and using the library.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s an expanded explanation of each section, written for freshmen undergraduates who are new to academic research and using the library:
Abstract
The abstract is a short summary at the beginning of the article. It gives readers a quick overview of the research question, the methods used, and the main findings. Think of it as a snapshot of the entire article. If you’re deciding whether the article is useful for your assignment, the abstract is the first place to look.
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the research. It explains the background of the topic, why the research matters, and what question the researchers are trying to answer. This section often includes a brief review of previous studies so you can see how this research fits into the bigger picture.
Methods
The methods section describes exactly how the research was done. It explains the steps the researchers took, such as experiments, surveys, or data analysis. This section is important because it shows whether the research was done in a reliable way. If you ever need to repeat the study or understand how the results were reached, this is where you look.
Results
The results section presents the data collected during the study. It often includes tables, graphs, and figures to show what the researchers found. This section does not usually explain what the results mean—just what the data shows.
Discussion
The discussion interprets the results and explains what they mean in relation to the research question. It connects the findings to previous research, points out any limitations, and may suggest areas for future study. This section helps you understand why the results matter.
References
The references list all the sources the authors cited in the article. These are usually other scholarly works. If you want to find more information on the topic or check the original sources, the reference list is a great place to start.
Would you like me to turn this into a visual guide (like an infographic) for your students, create a short handout in plain language, or write a blog-style article for your library website?
You said:
add a disclaimer that journal article structure can vary based on the type of journal article. This structure is typical for original research articles.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s the revised version with your requested disclaimer added:
Abstract
The abstract is a short summary at the beginning of the article. It gives readers a quick overview of the research question, the methods used, and the main findings. Think of it as a snapshot of the entire article. If you’re deciding whether the article is useful for your assignment, the abstract is the first place to look.
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the research. It explains the background of the topic, why the research matters, and what question the researchers are trying to answer. This section often includes a brief review of previous studies so you can see how this research fits into the bigger picture.
Methods
The methods section describes exactly how the research was done. It explains the steps the researchers took, such as experiments, surveys, or data analysis. This section is important because it shows whether the research was done in a reliable way. If you ever need to repeat the study or understand how the results were reached, this is where you look.
Results
The results section presents the data collected during the study. It often includes tables, graphs, and figures to show what the researchers found. This section does not usually explain what the results mean—just what the data shows.
Discussion
The discussion interprets the results and explains what they mean in relation to the research question. It connects the findings to previous research, points out any limitations, and may suggest areas for future study. This section helps you understand why the results matter.
References
The references list all the sources the authors cited in the article. These are usually other scholarly works. If you want to find more information on the topic or check the original sources, the reference list is a great place to start.
Important Note
Journal article structure can vary depending on the type of article and the journal’s guidelines. The sections described above are typical for original research articles, which report new findings. Other types of articles—such as literature reviews, case studies, or theoretical papers—may look different.
Would you like me to format this as a one-page handout for students, create a blog post for your library site, or design an infographic for classroom use?
You said:
add in information about conclusions
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s the updated version with Conclusions added and the disclaimer included:
Abstract
The abstract is a short summary at the beginning of the article. It gives readers a quick overview of the research question, the methods used, and the main findings. Think of it as a snapshot of the entire article. If you’re deciding whether the article is useful for your assignment, the abstract is the first place to look.
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the research. It explains the background of the topic, why the research matters, and what question the researchers are trying to answer. This section often includes a brief review of previous studies so you can see how this research fits into the bigger picture.
Methods
The methods section describes exactly how the research was done. It explains the steps the researchers took, such as experiments, surveys, or data analysis. This section is important because it shows whether the research was done in a reliable way. If you ever need to repeat the study or understand how the results were reached, this is where you look.
Results
The results section presents the data collected during the study. It often includes tables, graphs, and figures to show what the researchers found. This section does not usually explain what the results mean—just what the data shows.
Discussion
The discussion interprets the results and explains what they mean in relation to the research question. It connects the findings to previous research, points out any limitations, and may suggest areas for future study. This section helps you understand why the results matter.
Conclusions
The conclusion is often a short section at the end of the article that sums up the main findings and their importance. It may also highlight practical applications or recommendations for future research. While the discussion goes into detail, the conclusion gives you the “big picture” takeaway.
References
The references list all the sources the authors cited in the article. These are usually other scholarly works. If you want to find more information on the topic or check the original sources, the reference list is a great place to start.
Important Note
Journal article structure can vary depending on the type of article and the journal’s guidelines. The sections described above are typical for original research articles, which report new findings. Other types of articles—such as literature reviews, case studies, or theoretical papers—may look different.
Would you like me to turn this into a student-friendly infographic, create a one-page printable handout, or write a blog post for your library website?
You said:
include a section explaining the article title and author information and why that it is important to review.
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s the fully updated version with a new section on Title and Author Information, plus the disclaimer and conclusions:
Title and Author Information
The title tells you what the article is about, often highlighting the main topic or research question. Pay attention to keywords in the title—they can help you decide if the article is relevant to your assignment.
Author information is also important. It usually includes the authors’ names, their institutional affiliations, and sometimes their credentials. This helps you judge the credibility of the research. Authors affiliated with universities or research institutions are generally considered reliable sources. If you see multiple authors, it often means the research was a collaborative effort.
Abstract
The abstract is a short summary at the beginning of the article. It gives readers a quick overview of the research question, the methods used, and the main findings. Think of it as a snapshot of the entire article. If you’re deciding whether the article is useful for your assignment, the abstract is the first place to look.
Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the research. It explains the background of the topic, why the research matters, and what question the researchers are trying to answer. This section often includes a brief review of previous studies so you can see how this research fits into the bigger picture.
Methods
The methods section describes exactly how the research was done. It explains the steps the researchers took, such as experiments, surveys, or data analysis. This section is important because it shows whether the research was done in a reliable way. If you ever need to repeat the study or understand how the results were reached, this is where you look.
Results
The results section presents the data collected during the study. It often includes tables, graphs, and figures to show what the researchers found. This section does not usually explain what the results mean—just what the data shows.
Discussion
The discussion interprets the results and explains what they mean in relation to the research question. It connects the findings to previous research, points out any limitations, and may suggest areas for future study. This section helps you understand why the results matter.
Conclusions
The conclusion is often a short section at the end of the article that sums up the main findings and their importance. It may also highlight practical applications or recommendations for future research. While the discussion goes into detail, the conclusion gives you the “big picture” takeaway.
References
The references list all the sources the authors cited in the article. These are usually other scholarly works. If you want to find more information on the topic or check the original sources, the reference list is a great place to start.
Important Note
Journal article structure can vary depending on the type of article and the journal’s guidelines. The sections described above are typical for original research articles, which report new findings. Other types of articles—such as literature reviews, case studies, or theoretical papers—may look different.
✅ Would you like me to combine all of this into a polished one-page handout for students, create a blog post for your library website, or design an infographic for classroom use? Or maybe all three?
**end of chat**
Results and Reflection
Results: Better than Twine! I still had to spend time actually creating the interactives but I did not need to fix any script (no scripts are involved in H5P) nor did I have to research or learn anything extra to get Copilot generated content to work.
Reflection on Using Copilot for H5P Development
I took a different approach to using Copilot for this project. Instead of asking it to generate full scripts or multimedia content, I focused on leveraging its strengths for text-based tasks. Specifically, I used Copilot to help create learning outcomes and activity suggestions that align with Bloom’s taxonomy for interactives in H5P. I also used it to draft multiple choice quiz questions based on SIFT (The Four Moves), an information evaluation technique developed by Mike Caulfield.
This approach turned out to be surprisingly effective. Copilot provided activity ideas that were well-suited to the scope of the learning activities and matched the cognitive levels outlined in Bloom’s taxonomy. The suggestions were clear, practical, and easy to adapt into H5P formats like image hot spots, branching scenarios, and quizzes. I did end up refining some of the prompts I used to, for example, expand on the text for each section in the scholarly article activity. The quiz questions generated were at an appropriate level (aimed at first-year undergraduate students) and were actually based off the blog text. The feedback suggested was a little too generic, so I did end up editing that. Sadly, I lost the Copilot chat transcript so I cannot add it here.
One of the biggest benefits was the time saved. Normally, brainstorming and aligning activities with learning outcomes can be a time-consuming process, as can creating effective quiz questions and feedback. Copilot streamlined this step by generating structured, relevant ideas quickly. This allowed me to focus more on refining content and ensuring accessibility rather than starting from scratch.
Overall, I was impressed with how well the outputs aligned with my goals. While I didn’t use Copilot for scripting or technical development, its ability to support instructional design tasks, especially in creating outcomes and activity frameworks, proved to be a valuable part of my workflow.