What is SCORM and Why do We Use SCORM in eLearning?
[vc_single_image image=”34009″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]When involved in digital learning, more specifically, eLearning modules, dealing with SCORM is inevitable. For those unfamiliar with the term, it stands for “Sharable Content Object Reference Model”. In this article, we will explore what SCORM is, its variants, the matter of compliance and why we use SCORM; a heavy topic, but we will attempt to make it digestible, so let us begin with the basics.
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What is SCORM?
Sharing content object reference framework (SCORM) is an acronym for Shareable Content Object Reference Modeling. It is a standard to maximise the portability of content across compliant LMS platforms.
The SCORM standards govern two things about the training object: packaging content and run-time.
The packaging part of SCORM defines how the distribution of the training object will happen. Distribution focuses on how the data is deployed, processed and monitored after the download.
The run-time part of SCORM defines how the training object communicates with the learning management system, also commonly known as the LMS. The LMS serves as the medium to facilitate the communication and interaction between the training object and the learners and functions, at the same time, as a platform to record the various performance matrices.
What is a SCORM file?
SCORM files are the content of learning modules packaged according to the requirements defined in the SCORM standards. This file will allow for the deployment of learning modules and their content across SCORM compliant LMS.
What are the different SCORM versions?
Since 1999, SCORM specifications have gone through several revisions and deployments. We will explore the main characteristics and differences between the versions and provide some recommendations about them.
SCORM 1.1
Released January 2001
SCORM 1.1 was the first edition of SCORM that users could implement. However, there were issues with this first edition addressed in future editions.
Recommendation: As there are still some legacy implementations of SCORM 1.1, one can consider the use of this version where required
SCORM 1.2
Released October 2001
A widely supported version, virtually every LMS supports SCORM 1.2, and the vast majority of content creators produce learning modules that adhere to this version of SCORM.
Recommendation: SCORM 1.2 is the industry workhorse. Digital learning professionals should consider support of this version of SCORM mandatory.
SCORM 2004
Released January 2004 – March 2009 (4 versions)
In this version, content creators have far more influence about how their e-learning functions. Included are sequence and navigational specifications that help content producers determine how learners can move among the modules.
SCORM 2004
Released January 2004 – March 2009 (4 versions)
In this version, content creators have far more influence about how their e-learning functions. Included are sequence and navigational specifications that help content producers determine how learners can move among the modules.
SCORM 2004 has gone through multiple revisions, each improving on the previous one to resolve the flaws discovered.
Recommendation: The new features of SCORM 2004 4th edition increase its usefulness dramatically, highly recommended.
What are the alternatives to SCORM?
AICC HACP
Released February 1998
Many of the most significant contributions to SCORM were from AICC. AICC was an early pioneer in the world of e-learning standards dating back to the 1980s. The first widely adopted specifications for interoperability between e-learning content and learning management systems were from AICC.
Any mention of AICC spec mainly refers to the HACP protocol in the AICC CMI specifications. The HACP protocol is advantageous and preferable to SCORM in certain situations as it does not suffer from cross-domain scripting problems. It is a valuable alternative to SCORM in certain deployment situations.
Recommendation: Recommend support for AICC HACP. Its level of adoption is second only to SCORM 1.2.
The Experience API (xAPI)
Released April 26, 2013
The Experience API, also known as Tin Can API or xAPI, is the newest e-learning standard.
xAPI removes content from the learning management system and allows the content to send “statements” based around [actor] [verb] [object], or “I – did – this” to a Learning Record Store (LRS). One of the critical advantages of LRSs is that it can live on is own or function as part of a learning management system.
Recommendation: Use xAPI if the learning module needs to exist outside of the learning management system or if there is a need to track more parameters than what SCORM or AICC can provide.
What can be tracked by SCORM?
SCORM 1.2 records the following information:
Lesson location:
It keeps a record of where the learners have progressed in the learning module to allow learners to pick up from where they left off.
Suspend data:
The suspended data is where the module can track any information that needs to be collected.
Lesson status:
This field keeps a record of whether the learner has succeeded, failed, or finished the course.
Session time:
This field records the time spent by the learner.
Score raw:
The total score for the entire course.
Mastery score:
The score that the learner must attain in order to get a “passed” status.
The benefits and challenges of SCORM?
SCORM was designed in 1999 to provide a standard for developing digital learning modules across different learning management systems.
Benefits
SCORM provide a standard on which the content developers may develop the learning modules. Its standards provide ways to ensure interoperability among the various learning management systems.
The result of adhering to this standard delivers a tremendous amount of efficiencies, flexibility and cost reductions.
In addition, the SCORM standard provides for a robust set of tracking features to provide a wealth of information on the module’s performance as a guide to make any adjustments to improve the content.
Challenges
As good as SCORM is, there are limitations, like allowing learners to learn outside the constraints of a learning management system, which xAPI will address.
Another challenge of SCORM is the need to use SCORM compliant development tools and a SCORM compliant learning management system to publish the module.
However, SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 3rd Edition are the most widely used versions of SCORM with improvements and new standards developed by the community regularly.
Summary
To conclude, there are technically five versions of SCORM: SCORM 1.1, SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 2nd Edition, SCORM 2004 3rd Edition and SCORM 2004 4th edition available for use and the decision on which version to use depends on the content.
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