What exactly does SCORM stand for?
What exactly is SCORM?
When it comes to online learning, SCORM is a collection of standards and technological specifications that allow course authors to build courses that can be shared across numerous platforms.
SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model, and it is an acronym.
The SCORM standard also makes it possible for e-learning providers to monitor the progress of their students, and to use that information to give an even better learning experience.
What is SCORM compliance, and why is it important?
The early days of e-learning were characterized by numerous platforms developing and packaging their own material that was only compatible with their own learning management systems, or LMS.
This meant that everything generated on one LMS remained on that LMS, regardless of whether or not that specific LMS was functionally enough.
The Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative of the Department of Defense developed the set of standards that would eventually become SCORM in part to assist regulate the sector and enable functionality across a variety of course authoring tools and learning management systems to be shared.
To better comprehend the meaning of SCORM, it is helpful to break down what SCORM stands for into two parts: first, what SCORM stands for is:
Shareable Content Object (SCORM) – Content developed in accordance with SCORM standards is easily transferable across tools and systems. A standard plug for all electrical devices is the same concept as having a universal plug. A SCORM authoring program generates a Zip folder, known as the Package Interchange Format, that includes all of the information required for a SCORM compatible learning management system (LMS) in order to publish and host the course.
Model of Reference – This notifies you that there is a model, which includes norms and regulations, which are applicable and must be followed. As a result, there is uniformity across the business.
If you create a course using an authoring tool that is SCORM compatible, or with the native course builder of a SCORM compliant LMS, you will be able to publish the course on any SCORM compliant LMS. No modifications are required for your course to run on a variety of platforms, and you will have complete access to the data collected from your students and instructors alike.
What exactly is a Learning Management System (LMS) that is SCORM compliant?
A SCORM compliant LMS is a learning management system that adheres to the standards established by the SCORM Consortium. You may submit your SCORM-compliant course and it will function flawlessly inside that system, enabling people to access the information you provide.
When deciding which LMS to utilize, it is critical to ensure that it is SCORM compliant first. Check that the LMS is compatible with the version of SCORM that you are dealing with, which may include SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004, among other versions of the standard.
What information may be tracked using SCORM?
It is possible to monitor data inside the courses while utilizing SCORM, which is one of the benefits of employing this technology.
Using SCORM, you may keep track of the following:
Course grade at the end of the course
The outcomes of the tests and quizzes
Students’ specific responses were recorded.
Which pages are visited and for how long are they viewed Total amount of time spent
Scores are given for each module or aim.
Learners make progress, allowing them to pick up where they left off when they return.
The overall status, such as pass, fail, complete, or incomplete, is shown here.
By using SCORM to capture data, you will be able to more readily understand how learners are engaging with your course material.
Examples of how SCORM is put into action
What are the advantages of using SCORM?
The advantages of using SCORM are as follows:
SCORM provides a plug-and-play feature that enables for the one-time building of courses and their dissemination across a wide range of systems and platforms.
A great range of writing tools and learning management systems (LMS) are available to e-learning producers, enabling them to select the best match for their requirements without compromising the capacity to share their information globally to a big number of people.
The use of SCORM, which is the de facto industry standard, ensures that material will be accepted by the vast majority of platforms, but non-SCORM compatible content may be refused by certain systems.
Creators may be certain that their material will be delivered error-free by a SCORM-compliant LMS.
The adoption of SCORM may assist reduce the cost of integrating new courses by as much as 80% while also saving time and resources.
Making your material more interactive and engaging by using SCORM is possible since many authoring tools include a variety of features that can be integrated into courses.
The disadvantages of adopting SCORM: SCORM is an outdated standard, with the most widely used version going back to 2004 and the most recent version dating back to 2011. That is a really old piece of technology. A weakness is the lack of new e-learning choices, such as mobile learning via the use of smartphones and tablets.
Newer technologies have evolved, posing a threat to SCORM’s exclusive dominance in the business. It may not be necessary to establish SCORM compliance at this time since courses may need to be redesigned in a few years’ time.
It is possible that certain SCORM material, particularly movies, could be unstable for Apple iOS users since it was created with Flash in mind and will perform less smoothly when HTML5 is used instead of Flash.
In addition to being pricey, authoring tools may be difficult to understand and use in the beginning. If the creators need more training, this will be an additional expenditure.
SCORM versus xAPI: Which is better? (also known as Tin Can API)
It was launched in 2013 under the name Experience API, which is also known as xAPI and Tin Can API. xAPI, which is similar to SCORM, is a protocol that enables the developers of e-learning material to monitor data related to learning activities.
Take a look at the statistically significant differences between xAPI and SCORM.
