S.C.O.R.M.

What Is It?

SCORM is a set of technical standards for eLearning products. It provides the data model and communication method that allow eLearning content and learning management systems (LMS’s) to work together.

Acronym:

Sharable

Content

Object

Reference

Model

SCORM provides a standardised communication method and data model between eLearning content (e.g. from an authoring suite such as Articulate 360) and learning management systems (E.g. Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle).

SCORM compliant courses communicate with an LMS by calling methods of JavaScript called the API (Application Programming Interface) adapter.

• The adapter creates a virtual web server that will respond with HTML, XML or JSON code. A good analogy would be that the API adapter enables the phone call between authoring tools and learning management systems. ☎

If all eLearning content meets the technical specifications, it becomes easier to provide a matching system to host and deliver it. So long as these match, they should work seamlessly.

There are three main categories of SCORM standards.

1. Content Packaging (How you put it all together)

• You must package the content in a self-contained directory or archive file (also known as a ZIP file)
• Contained within this ZIP must be an XML file named imsmanifestfile.xml (the “manifest file”).
• You must divide the course into one or more parts called a Sharable Content Object (SCO) within the manifest.

2. Run-Time (How the content is going to interact once it is published)

• Content publishing to an LMS must be web deliverable and launched in a web browser (new window or frameset)
• Only one SCO can launch at a time (there can be multiple in your content, but you can only actively communicate with one)
• Once the content has launched, it must communicate between the eLearning and LMS using JavaScript

3. Sequencing (How you can progress through your course — navigational control)

• Allow for navigational control like buttons and menus
• Specify prerequisites (if there are any)
• Make some parts more valuable than others, i.e. optional sections and weighted questions
• Randomly make content available on each new attempt (randomised tests)
• Allow for remediation (review of the content)

However,

The latest SCORM update was in 2009. It is still widely used due to its familiarity; however, new technology such as xAPI and CMi5 can offer more in terms of functionality, usage, and maintenance options.