SCORM was first developed in 1999 as a way to standardize the creation and delivery of online learning content. It was designed to ensure that e-learning content could be easily shared and reused across different Learning Management Systems (LMSs). Since its development, SCORM has become a widely used standard in the e-learning industry, and many LMSs are designed to be SCORM-compliant.
What is SCORM?
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is a set of technical standards for creating and delivering e-learning content. It defines how online learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) should interact with each other. The goal of SCORM is to ensure that e-learning content can be easily shared and reused across different LMSs.
SCORM is widely used in the e-learning industry, and many LMSs are designed to be SCORM-compliant. This allows organizations to easily create and deliver e-learning courses that can be accessed and tracked within their LMS.
SCORM Components
SCORM consists of three main components: the content aggregation model, the run-time environment, and the communication model. The content aggregation model defines how online learning content should be organized and structured. The run-time environment specifies how the content should be launched and played within the LMS. The communication model defines how the content and the LMS should communicate with each other, including the data that should be shared.
Who developed SCORM?
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) was developed by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, a partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Education (DoE). The ADL Initiative was established in 1996 to research and develop technology-based learning solutions that could be used to support the education and training of DoD and DoE employees.
Where is SCORM used?
SCORM is widely used in the e-learning industry. It is used by organizations of all sizes, including businesses, schools, and government agencies, to create and deliver online learning content. SCORM is used by both content creators and Learning Management System (LMS) providers.
Content creators, such as e-learning developers and instructional designers, use SCORM to create and package online learning content that can be easily shared and reused across different LMSs. LMS providers use SCORM to ensure that their systems are compatible with the content created by content creators.
SCORM is particularly useful for organizations that need to deliver training to a large number of learners and track their progress. By using SCORM, organizations can create and deliver online learning content that is accessible, trackable, and reusable.
SCORM Alternatives
There are several alternatives to SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) that can be used to create and deliver online learning content. Some options include:
xAPI (Experience API): xAPI is a specification for tracking and storing learning data. It allows organizations to track learning activities that occur outside of a traditional Learning Management System (LMS), such as in-person training or social learning.
Tin Can API: Tin Can API is a newer version of xAPI that allows organizations to track learning data in a more flexible and granular way. It is often used in conjunction with xAPI.
AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee): AICC is a set of technical standards that were developed in the 1980s to support the creation and delivery of computer-based training. It is similar to SCORM in many ways but is not as widely used.
LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability): LTI is a specification that allows learning systems, such as LMSs and content authoring tools, to communicate and share data with each other. It is often used to integrate third-party learning resources into an LMS.
These alternatives to SCORM can be used to create and deliver online learning content. It is important to consider the features and capabilities of each option and the compatibility with your LMS to determine which one is best suited to your needs.
Advantages of SCORM
SCORM has several advantages that make it an appealing option for many organizations:
Compatibility: SCORM is designed to ensure compatibility between e-learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs). This allows organizations to easily create and deliver e-learning courses that can be accessed and tracked within their LMS.
Reusability: SCORM allows e-learning content to be easily shared and reused across different LMSs. This can be especially useful for organizations that need to deliver training to a large number of learners and track their progress.
Tracking capabilities: SCORM allows organizations to track the completion of e-learning courses, which can be useful for tracking compliance and measuring the effectiveness of training.
Widely used: SCORM is widely used in the e-learning industry, and many LMSs are designed to be SCORM-compliant. This makes it easier for organizations to find content and tools that are compatible with SCORM.
Overall, SCORM has several advantages that make it an appealing option for organizations that need to create and deliver e-learning content. Its compatibility, reusability, tracking capabilities, and widespread use make it a widely used and important standard in the e-learning industry.
Limitations of SCORM
SCORM does have some limitations that you should be aware of:
- Compatibility issues: SCORM is designed to ensure compatibility between e-learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs). However, there may still be issues with compatibility depending on the specific LMS and content being used.
- Limited tracking capabilities: SCORM is primarily designed to track the completion of e-learning courses, but it does not provide granular tracking of learning activities within a course. Other technologies, such as xAPI and Tin Can API, may be more suitable for tracking more detailed learning data.
- Complexity: SCORM can be complex to implement, particularly for content creators who are not familiar with the technical standards. It may require specialized knowledge and resources to create and deliver SCORM-compliant content.
- Limited support for mobile learning: SCORM was developed in the late 1990s, before the widespread adoption of mobile devices. It may be more challenging to deliver SCORM-compliant content on mobile devices, as it may not be optimized for those platforms.
Overall, while SCORM is a widely used and important standard in the e-learning industry, it does have some limitations. It is important to carefully consider your needs and goals when deciding whether SCORM is the right option for your e-learning content.
Future of SCORM
It is difficult to predict the exact future of SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model), as it will depend on the evolution of technology and the needs of the e-learning industry. However, SCORM has been widely used in the e-learning industry for over two decades, and it is likely to remain an important standard for some time.
SCORM has undergone several updates and revisions since its initial release, with the most recent version, SCORM 2004 4th edition, released in 2016. It is likely that SCORM will continue to evolve and be updated to meet the changing needs of the e-learning industry.
One potential trend in the future of SCORM is the increasing use of other technologies, such as xAPI and Tin Can API, which allow for more granular and flexible tracking of learning data. It is possible that these technologies may eventually supersede SCORM, or that they may be used in conjunction with SCORM to provide a more comprehensive solution.
Overall, the future of SCORM will depend on the needs and goals of the e-learning industry. It is likely that SCORM will continue to be an important standard, but it may evolve and be supplemented with other technologies in the future.
How to create SCORM-compliant courses?
To create a SCORM-compliant course, you will need to use a tool that can create and package content in the SCORM format. There are a variety of commercial and open-source tools available, including
- iSpring Suite Max: the easiest and most cost-effective way to create SCORM content for LMS/e-learning
- Adobe Captivate: a popular e-learning authoring tool that can create SCORM-compliant content
- Articulate Storyline: another popular e-learning authoring tool
When creating a SCORM-compliant course, it's important to keep in mind that the content must be structured in a certain way and use certain variables in order to be compliant.
The content should be broken up into "modules" or "chapters," and each module should include a test or assessment to check for understanding. Additionally, the course should track and report a variety of information about the learner's progress, such as the number of times the learner has accessed the course, the amount of time spent on each module, and the results of the assessments.
iSpring Suite Max tool for creating SCORM Content
iSpring Suite Max is an e-learning authoring tool that can be used to create SCORM-compliant content. iSpring Suite is an all-in-one toolkit that allows you to create interactive e-learning courses, quizzes, and surveys. It also enables you to publish them in multiple formats, including SCORM.
The tool includes many features for creating interactive e-learning content, such as the ability to add animations, audio, and video. It also includes a built-in quiz maker, which allows you to create different types of questions, including multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and short answer.
Additionally, iSpring Suite includes features for publishing your content in the SCORM format, including the ability to package your content in a SCORM-compliant format and set tracking options for reporting learner progress and results.
It also has built-in analytics to track learners’ progress and also supports other standards like Tin Can and xAPI. And it is also supported in various authoring environments like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
The software provides a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates and assets to help you create professional-looking e-learning content quickly and easily.
For more detailed information on how to use iSpring Suite Max to create SCORM content, head here.
