As soon as you look for a tool to manage all your courses, you will hear about “SCORM”. But what exactly is it about? And what does this have to do with your LMS? Beedeez tells you everything!
What is the SCORM standard?
SCORM format definition
SCORM (”SHarable COntent OBject REference MOdel”, in French”Sharing content through the use of a defined data model”) is a format supported by all learning platforms. This standard allows you to maintain your training and content, even if you decide to Change LMS.
In comparison, we can take the example of the PDF format: regardless of the document reader you have, your PDF will be supported. It's a standard, and it saves you from having to convert your document into 10 different formats for each application to read. It's the same for the SCORM format in elearning !
Technical specifications of the SCORM standard
The SCORM standard has evolved a lot since its implementation. Today, the SCORM 2004 version (4th edition) is the most complete.
By going to the site scorm.com, we find the standards requested so that your training corresponds to the SCORM standard.
SCORM specifies that content should:
- be packaged in a ZIP file
- be described in an XML file
- communicate via JavaScript
- sequence using rules in XML
The content should also be composed of three sub-specifications:
- The “Content Packaging” section (mostly based on XML) that specifies how content should be presented and described.
- The “Run-Time” section (mainly based on ECMAScript (JavaScript)) that allows you to know how the content should be launched and how it communicates with your LMS.
- The “Sequencing” section (defined by a set of rules written in XML) that indicates how the learner can navigate between the different parts of the course.
SCORM: an argument for choosing your LMS platform?
This SCORM standard therefore makes life easier for trainers and developers on a daily basis. No need to adapt the format of the course modules to each LMS!
On paper, it's a real breakthrough in the world of e-learning. In fact: few companies change their LMS regularly. The fact that the SCORM format is supported is important to take into consideration, but be sure to choose your LMS according to other criteria: price, ease of implementation, Mobile learning...
Creating a SCORM course: what solutions?
To create your SCORM course, there are two solutions:
- design your module directly from your LMS, SCORM compatible. Your content will then be in SCORM format, and you won't have to do anything.
- use SCORM design tools dedicated (EdApp, Fine Creator, Camtasia...) then import your content into your LMS.
The easiest way, in our opinion, is to choose an LMS that supports this format from the start, so as not to have to import your modules one by one.
What is the future of the SCORM format?
SCORM evolutions since its creation
There are several versions of SCORM. In order:
- AICC : the very old SCORM version, which is no longer very up to date or functional.
- Bersyon 1.1: This SCORM version is no longer used nowadays, but it is not the most recent one.
- Bersyon 1.2: even if this version is also very old, a lot of LMS only use that one.
- Version 2004: It is the most recent SCORM version and offers the most statistical options. For example, it gives an indication of whether the learner has “succeeded” or “failed”. Version 1.2, on the other hand, only provides information on completing the module.
xAPI: a new standard to replace SCORM?
Over the past few years, a new format has emerged : xAPI (or TinCan). xAPI is a programming interface, an API, which allows you to track different learning information in one place (your LMS for example).
This format makes it possible, for example, to follow the modules created by the learners, their success in the quiz, but also the articles or additional videos that they would have watched in their browser during their course. It is therefore an interface that centralizes all learning activities in a single tool. Practical!
At the moment, this format is not fully adopted. Most LMSs and trainers still use SCORM because they don't yet see the difference in functionality between xAPI and SCORM.
