E-learning systems are becoming more popular and diverse, but how can they communicate and exchange data effectively? One solution is to use SCORM, a set of standards and specifications for creating and delivering online learning content. In this article, you will learn what SCORM is, how it works, and how it can ensure e-learning systems are interoperable.
SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model, and it is a collection of technical guidelines and rules that define how online learning content should be structured, packaged, and delivered. SCORM also defines how learning content should communicate with the learning management system (LMS), which is the platform that hosts and manages the online courses. SCORM aims to make online learning content reusable, scalable, and compatible across different e-learning systems and platforms.
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) ensures e-learning systems are interoperable by: 1. Standardizing Content Packaging: It sets standards for packaging content, making it usable across different Learning Management Systems (LMS). 2. Defining Data Models: SCORM provides rules for how data is exchanged between e-learning content and LMS, ensuring consistent tracking and reporting. 3. Establishing Communication Methods: It specifies how e-learning content and LMSs communicate, allowing seamless integration and interaction. 4. Enabling Reusability: With SCORM, content can be easily moved and reused across various platforms without compatibility issues. 5. Providing Compatibility Guidelines:
Sharable Content Object Reference Model ensures interoperability in e-learning systems through its technical specifications. SCORM establishes a set of standards that enable e-learning content to be compatible across different platforms and systems. It does this by defining how e-learning content and learning management systems (LMS) communicate, allowing for seamless integration and interoperability. Specifically, SCORM dictates the format of e-learning content packages, how they are launched and tracked, and how data is exchanged between the content and LMS. This adherence to standards enables different SCORM-compliant systems to effectively share, launch, and track e-learning content, ensuring interoperability across various platforms.
SCORM works by defining a common data model and a common application programming interface (API) for online learning content and LMSs. The data model specifies the elements and attributes that describe the learning content, such as objectives, prerequisites, completion status, scores, and learner preferences. The API specifies the methods and functions that allow the learning content and the LMS to exchange data and messages, such as initialization, termination, and error handling. By following the SCORM data model and API, online learning content and LMSs can communicate and exchange data in a consistent and standardized way.
Interoperability is the ability of different e-learning systems and platforms to work together and share information without losing functionality or quality. SCORM can ensure interoperability by providing a common language and format for online learning content and LMSs. By using SCORM, online learning content can be created once and used across multiple LMSs without requiring modifications or adaptations. Likewise, LMSs can support and deliver online learning content from different sources without requiring customizations or integrations. This means that SCORM can reduce the costs and complexities of developing and maintaining online learning content and LMSs, and increase the accessibility and availability of online learning opportunities.
SCORM can offer several benefits for online learning content creators, providers, and learners. For example, it enables reusability of content across different LMSs and contexts, scalability of updates and distribution across different platforms, compatibility with different devices, browsers, and operating systems, as well as trackability of learner performance, progress, and engagement. This can save time and resources while enhancing the quality and consistency of online learning experiences, improving accessibility and usability for diverse learners, and providing valuable data for assessment and evaluation of online learning outcomes.
SCORM can present some challenges for online learning content creators, providers, and learners. These can include complexity, as SCORM can be technical and require specialized skills and knowledge; limitations, as it does not support advanced features such as adaptive learning, gamification, social learning, or xAPI; and compatibility issues due to different versions and editions of SCORM such as SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004, and SCORM Cloud. All of these can create barriers for entry and adoption of online learning content and LMSs.
Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is old and out-dated. It's cumbersome and doesn't necessarily ensure interoperability across LMSs.