What is hex?

hex is an application designed to create learning activities, similar to Hot Potatoes, but much simpler to use. In fact, hex has the capability to turn any table of data into activities that you can run on the spot or export to a website or learning environment. The most common use case would be turning a list of vocabulary items into a game to finish a class or a revision activity online for homework.

So far there are fifteen activity templates available: Anagram, Backs to the Board, Blockbusters, Cards, Crack the code, Crossword, Decisions, Drill, Falling Words, Four In A Row, List Order, Match, Times Up, Treasure Hunt and Word Order. It's also possible to create your own activity templates.

How do I use it?

The simplest way is to simply copy and paste a list of vocabulary (with translation or definitions) from a Word or Excel document into hex. You can press run to open the activity, probably for use in the classroom, or you can press export to create an HTML file (or SCORM file). You can then put this HTML file on a Learning Management System, like Moodle, so that your students can use them individually. Some activities work best in the classroom, like Backs to the board. Others, you’re more likely to use as individual activities, like Match, either in a computer lab or at home.

Why is it called hex?

The first activity I made was the Blockbusters activity, which uses hexagons. Hexagons are very cool – they're the most-sided regular polygon that tessellates. Also a bit of an hommage to Terry Pratchett.

What does it look like?

Here's a video!

OK, I want to try it!

You can download the latest version of hex from the download page or from its Releases page on GitHub. There are a number of different versions for different systems, so read carefully to see which will work best on your computer. Windows PC, macOS and Linux are all supported.