Hiveclass

CONTENT Hiveclass helps users learn fundamental skills with short-form instructional videos. The platform offers instruction on a variety of sports and activities: volleyball, soccer, dance, fitness, basketball, self-defense, field hockey, tennis, yoga, pickleball, lacrosse, mindfulness, aquatics, gymnastics, strength and conditioning, and even reading. Each one- to two-minute video is presented by physical educators and athletes who are experts in the field. The resource covers a range of essential skills for each sport. For instance, basketball skills include ball-handling, footwork, passing, shooting, and defensive tactics. Skill sets are broken down into smaller components; each component is explained in detail in a brief video. In the basketball section, for instance, the section on ball-handling covers fingertip dribbling, stationary crossover dribbles, triple-threat position, and more. Each skill section concludes with a brief quiz, allowing patrons to review and test their knowledge. Videos include options for physical modifications (e.g., chair-based exercises instead of floor-based ones), allowing users with different needs to safely enjoy the content, and accessibility settings allow patrons with vision, hearing, or cognitive impairments to tailor their viewing experience, with options for pausing animations, utilizing a screen reader, and modifying text size, spacing, and contrast. Content is tailored toward K–12 audiences, but the engaging presentation and possibilities for adaptation make it likely that patrons of all ages would find the material informative.

In addition to video offerings for patrons, libraries can also use Hiveclass’s programming resources. These resources are downloadable guides for children and young adults aimed at promoting physically active programs in library settings. Some programming suggestions connect back to Hiveclass courses, but others (e.g., Balloon Footvolley, Obstacle Course, Musical Chairs, Mindfulness Storytime Walk) could be used with or without Hiveclass integration.

USABILITY Hiveclass’s interface is streamlined and intuitive. Icons on the homepage serve as gateways to each of the sports that Hiveclass offers. Individual pages for each sport provide a list of skills to master, along with warm-ups and workouts. A video begins to play immediately after a lesson is selected. This video can be paused, resized, and rewound with ease. Picture-in-picture options are available, and full-screen viewing is easily accessible. The settings icon allows users to change the playback speed (default is 1x, but speeds from .25x to 2x are possible), which may be helpful for patrons who are learning intricate skills such as dance steps or blocking moves. Video-quality options range from 240p to 1080p—a plus for users with limited data capacity. Additionally, users can select whether to see captions in English. Hiveclass videos are available in both English and Spanish.

PRICING Annual subscription pricing is based on institution size, starting at $1,000 per branch for unlimited accounts and unlimited usage. Discounts may be available via consortia or multiyear agreements. Two-week trial access is available upon request.

VERDICT Hiveclass offers unique content in the library-learning space and would be an excellent addition to any public or school library’s digital offerings. Time-strapped programming librarians will welcome Hiveclass’s guides and suggestions for creating active programs for all ages.