Overview of the SCORM Run-Time environment

The SCORM Run-Time specification controls how the LMS launches content and how the content then communicates with the LMS. All of this communication happens within the context of a single attempt on a single SCO.  The navigation between SCOs is governed by the sequencing specified in the manifest, and explained further here.

 

Launching content

All SCORM content must be web-deliverable and all SCORM communication occurs within the context of a web browser session. The LMS will launch one SCO at a time, as selected by the user, or as determined by SCORM 2004 sequencing rules. In versions prior to SCORM 2004 3rd Edition, there were no formal requirements for the user interface provided by an LMS. Every LMS is slightly different, but for the most part, it is fair to expect an LMS to provide an interface similar to the one pictured below. At a minimum, it should contain some form of navigable table of contents as well as controls for flow navigation (previous and next buttons). These navigational elements control the navigation between SCOs. If navigation is needed within a SCO, the SCO must provide its own navigational elements.

 

The LMS has two options for launching a SCO. It can either launch the SCO ina frameset (as pictured above), or it can launch the SCO in a new window. Some LMS’s will always launch content one way or the other. Commonly though, if a course only contains one SCO (and thus doesn’t require and navigational elements from the LMS), the SCO will be launched in a popup window. Conversely, if the course contains many SCOs, then the LMS will commonly launch the SCOs in a frameset surrounded by navigational elements. Some LMS’s will allow the content authors to control precisely how SCOs are launched, which navigational elements are available and even the size of the SCO windows.

The API

All communication between a SCO and the LMS happens through an ECMAScript (JavaScript) API. This is the only way for communication to occur. There are no other communication channels available. Content cannot communicate through web services, form posts, database writes or any other mechanism, only through the JavaScript API provided by the LMS.

 

Finding the API

The LMS is responsible for providing a specifically named JavaScript object in a specific location within the browser’s DOM. Thus, the content, can always locate this API using a common algorithm.

 

In SCORM 1.1 and SCORM 1.2, the API object is always named “API”. In SCORM 2004, the object is named “API_1484_11”.

 

The API object should be located in a window that is a parent of the SCO or a parent of the opener window of the SCO. A “parent” window is defined to be the entire chain of parent windows all the way up to the root browser window. So, the API could be in the SCO’s parent, the SCO’s parent’s parent, the SCO’s parent’s parent’s parent, etc. Similarly, the API could be in the opener window, the opener’s parent, the opener’s parent’s parent, etc. The diagrams below from the SCORM 2004 3rd Edition specification illustrate the possible API locations.

What is SCORM compliance?

When e-learning was first becoming a booming industry, multiple platforms created and packaged their own content, which was only compatible with their own learning management systems, or LMS.

 

This meant for course creators and users that anything created on one LMS was stuck there, regardless of if that particular LMS worked well.

 

The Department of Defence’s Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative created the set of standards that would become SCORM in part to help regulate the industry and allow functionality between many different course authoring softwares and learning management systems.

 

To better understand the meaning of SCORM, it helps to look at what SCORM stands for in two parts:

 

Shareable Content Object - Content created within SCORM standards is shareable across tools and platforms. This is the same idea as having a standard plug for all electrical devices. Content created with a SCORM authoring software is output as a Zip folder, called the Package Interchange Format, which contains all the information necessary for a SCORM compliant LMS to publish and host the course.

Reference Model - This informs you that there is a model, with standards and rules that apply and must be obeyed. This produces consistency across the industry.

Simply put, using a SCORM compliant course authoring tool, or the native course builder of a SCORM compliant LMS, means that you can then publish the course on any SCORM compliant LMS. Your course will work on a multitude of platforms without needing any adjustments, and you will be able to track the data from your students.

 

What is a SCORM compliant Learning Management System (LMS)?

A SCORM compliant LMS is a learning management system that abides by the rules set out within SCORM. You can upload your SCORM compliant course and it will work perfectly within that system, allowing users to access your content.

Checking for SCORM compliance is important when researching which LMS to use. Check that the LMS is compliant with the version of SCORM you are working with, including SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004.

 

What can be tracked by SCORM?

One of the advantages of using SCORM is the ability to track data within the courses.

 

By using SCORM, you can track:

 

The final score of the course

Test and quiz results

Specific answers given by students

Which pages are viewed, and for how long

Total time spent

Score per module or objective

Learner progress, so they can resume at the point they left off

Overall status, such as pass, fail, complete or incomplete

By using SCORM to track data, you can more easily see how learners are interacting with your content.

What are the benefits of using SCORM?

The pros of using SCORM:

SCORM has a plug-and-play functionality that allows for the one-time creation of courses and distribution on a large number of platforms.

E-learning creators can choose from a large number of authoring tools and LMS, allowing them to find the right fit for their needs without sacrificing the ability to distribute content widely.

As the de facto industry standard, using SCORM means that content will be accepted by the majority of platforms, while non-SCORM compliant content may be rejected.

Creators can be secure that a SCORM compliant LMS will deliver the content error-free.

The use of SCORM can help bring down the cost of integrating new courses by up to 80%, as well as saving time.

Using SCORM can make your content more interactive and engaging, as many authoring tools have many features that you can add to courses.

The cons of using SCORM:

SCORM is an old standard, with the most popular version dating from 2004. In technology, that is ancient. New e-learning options, such as mobile learning using phones or tablets, are not an area of strength.

Newer technologies have emerged, challenging the industry-wide dominance of SCORM. It may not make sense to implement SCORM compliance now, as courses might have to be reformatted in a few years.

Some SCORM content, especially videos, can be buggy for Apple iOS users, as it was developed with Flash in mind and works less well when replaced with HTML5.

Authoring tools can be extremely expensive, and some have a high learning curve. If creators need training, that is an additional expense.