Increasingly, people are receiving training and education through their computers. The Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a technical specification that governs how this online training (or “e-learning”) is created and delivered to learners.
Two essential software systems are required to facilitate e-learning. The first is the actual instructional material, or “content”. The other is a Learning Management System (LMS) which is responsible for directing the learner to relevant training, tracking the learner’s progress (such as score and current location) and maintaining the learner’s transcript. The essence of SCORM is that any content that conforms to the SCORM specifications will work with any SCORM conformant LMS. SCORM is the “secret sauce” that operates behind the scenes to make things compatible.
SCORM is a lot like the VHS standard for video tapes. VHS specifies the standard size for a video tape and how fast the VCR should spin the reels. Similarly, SCORM dictates the technical specifications for creating e-learning (using software languages like XML and ECMA script). You can put any type of movie on a VHS tape: comedy, horror, drama, home movies, etc. In the same way, SCORM allows you to create any type of learning content. It doesn’t specify instructional design, paedagogical methods, visual appearance, or anything else that affects the educational experience.
SCORM was created in the year 2000 by a US Department of Defense organisation called ADL. It is now widely adopted and is the de-facto industry standard. To date, there are three released versions of SCORM, each building on top of the previous one.
SCORM is a really powerful tool for anyone involved in online training. If you either develop e-learning systems or are purchasing one, you should ensure they are SCORM conformant.
Two areas we can provide assistance with are:
- Learning Object Development
- Compliance Testing
We will do internal testing of SCORM Learning Objects for their compliance to the required SCORM API. If formal approval is required, we will manage the testing with an ADL Approved Testing Centre.