SCORM is a widely used standard for creating and delivering e-learning content. It allows you to package your content in a way that can be easily imported, tracked, and reused across different learning platforms. However, creating reusable SCORM content requires some planning and best practices. In this article, you will learn how to design, develop, and test your SCORM content for reusability.
Before you start creating your SCORM content, you need to define your learning objectives and outcomes. What do you want your learners to achieve? How will you measure their progress and performance? How will you align your content with the SCORM specifications and requirements? These questions will help you to create a clear and consistent structure for your content, as well as to identify the relevant metadata, interactivity, and accessibility features.
To create reusable SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) content, focus on modular design. Break down your e-learning content into smaller, self-contained modules. Use consistent naming conventions and clear organization. Leverage authoring tools that support SCORM standards for easy integration. Keep content independent of specific courses, allowing it to be repurposed across various contexts. Regularly update and maintain your content library to ensure relevance. By adopting this approach, you'll maximize the flexibility and longevity of your e-learning materials, saving time and resources in the long run.
Successfully creating SCORM content taught us the importance of well-defined learning objectives. Before starting, we identified our end goals for learners. We integrated tools to measure learner interactions, offering insights for course refinement. Ensuring alignment with SCORM specifications guaranteed content interoperability across LMS platforms. Meticulous metadata labeling, engaging interactivity, and inclusive accessibility were key. Reflecting on the process, initial clarity on objectives and SCORM compliance were pivotal to crafting content that effectively served learners.
Also one should concider how to benefit layering content so that only the most important information is visible and forced to be read or heard. Additional and supporting information is layered to pop-up or modal windows or linked to external sources. I have used three levels of layers. Concidering this layered structure of information instructional designer will save learners time. Digital content is not a classic book like phenomen. It is digital and layered.
All good e-learning starts with definition of objectives. The benefits of using SCORM instead of other methods to build the content is what happens along the build and learner journeys. I am very fond of the statement, "The better the plan, the easier the execution." Building a series of objectives that can become learning components leads to an easier build process, and an easier edit process. It also makes for an easier learning experience.
Design specific templates. Standardize the closed captions and voiceover. Branch the topics for easy access. Insert short video to fill each topic.
There are many tools available for creating SCORM content, ranging from authoring software to programming languages. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the tool that best suits your level of expertise, budget, and functionality. Some of the most popular tools include Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, Lectora, and HTML5. You can also use a SCORM converter to transform your existing content into a SCORM-compliant format.
In my journey with Vertocity, an EdSaaS company, I've seen various tools for SCORM content creation. While many options exist, my preferences are shaped by expertise, budget, and desired functionality. Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline have been industry favorites, but Lectora and HTML5 also have their merits. Given my background in educational ecosystems, it's paramount to select tools that align with our vision. Sometimes, using a SCORM converter for existing content proves efficient, streamlining the process without compromising quality.
Personally, I'm not a Captivate or Storyline fan, but they are by far the most used tools in the business. If you are planning to build content, you really want to select the best tool that fits your criteria, not the tool with the most offerings. Think, also, about the types of learning you want to build - different tools are stronger with video, for example.
Once you have chosen your tool, you can start developing your content according to your objectives and specifications. You can use various elements such as text, images, audio, video, animations, quizzes, and simulations to create engaging and interactive content. You can also use variables, triggers, and branching to customize your content based on the learner's input and feedback. However, you should also keep in mind the compatibility and scalability of your content across different devices and platforms.
Drawing from my experience leading Vertocity, an EdSaaS company, content development is paramount. After tool selection, aligning content with objectives is vital. Utilizing elements like text, images, and simulations enhances engagement. However, given my stint in sales and negotiation, I've learned the value of customization using variables and branching, tailoring content to the learner. Reflecting on my time at Mindtree and Whitehat Jr, ensuring compatibility across devices, considering the diverse audience, is non-negotiable for scalability and outreach.
As you develop your content, pay particular attention to the end product and how it will appear. One of my biggest issues is still making sure that the content displays well on a bigger screen, a laptop, a notebook, and a phone. Some tools work better for different displays.
I agree but given that our learner needs are varied - the first thing to consider is accessibility. What is learning need you're catering to? How much time do your learners have to absorb the training? How fast and how often do they need to get trained? Do they have enough time in the day/month to absorb the variety of elements you're planning to include in your scorm package? Sometimes too much of interactivity, or even clickable options is overwhelming for some learners. Sometime they just prefer to listent to videos instead of watching them. Content engagement is not always linked to "physical actions" (clicking or putting in answers on the slides) or direct "interaction with slide" but interactions may also be mental and emotional.
Before you publish and share your SCORM content, you need to test it for functionality, usability, and compatibility. You can use a SCORM validator to check if your content meets the SCORM standards and requirements. You can also use a SCORM player or a test LMS to preview and debug your content in a realistic environment. You should test your content on different browsers, devices, and screen sizes to ensure that it works properly and displays correctly.
Drawing from my leadership at Vertocity, testing is a cornerstone before content rollout. It's not just about meeting SCORM standards, but ensuring a seamless user experience. Having witnessed challenges at Mortal Pursuits, I understand the need for meticulous validation using SCORM validators. Using a SCORM player or test LMS, akin to strategies at Mindtree and Whitehat Jr, offers real-world previews. It's paramount, especially in an EdSaaS ecosystem, to ensure compatibility across browsers and devices for consistent learner experiences.
Following the theme, test in every type of environment your learners may appear. Make sure to test in browsers that are not "standard", like Brave.
Another thing that one must also test is "accessibility" and how "inclusive" your content is. Is your content only text based? Or is it only audio based? Can someone download it in the form of a document or an mp3? Do the colours and formats follow an accessible palette? Make sure to test your content with differently abled learners to make sure if works for everyone.
After you have tested and finalized your SCORM content, you need to package it in a way that can be easily imported and exported across different learning platforms. You can use a SCORM packager to create a zip file that contains all the necessary files and folders for your content. You should also include a manifest file that provides the information and instructions for the LMS to launch and track your content. You should also add relevant metadata to describe and categorize your content.
If you're using an LMS, determine what SCORM tools may already exist. Then recognize that you will have three basic components that become the SCORM package: (1) IMS manifest file (imsmanifest.xml): This file describes the structure of the SCORM package and its contents. (2) Resources: Resources are the files that make up the actual content of the SCORM package. This can include HTML files, images, videos, audio files, and other types of files. (3) Schema/definition files (XSD and DTD): These files provide information about the structure of the manifest file and the resources. They are used by SCORM-compliant learning management systems (LMSs) to validate the SCORM package.
From my experience at Vertocity, an EdSaaS venture, packaging SCORM content is a crucial final step. It's not just about zipping files but ensuring they're LMS-ready. Drawing parallels from my time co-founding Mortal Pursuits, attention to detail matters. A SCORM packager helps, but the manifest file is vital for seamless LMS integration. Reflecting on roles at Mindtree and Whitehat Jr, I've seen the importance of metadata in content categorization. In the educational ecosystem, proper packaging ensures content readiness across platforms.
Finally, you should also consider how to update and maintain your SCORM content over time. You may need to revise or modify your content based on the feedback from your learners, the changes in the curriculum, or the updates in the SCORM standards. You should keep a backup of your original content and use version control to track the changes. You should also test your updated content before you republish and redistribute it.
From my tenure at Vertocity, I've learned the importance of content evolution. As educational landscapes shift, SCORM content isn't exempt from updates. Drawing from challenges faced at Mortal Pursuits, feedback is invaluable. Whether adapting to curriculum changes or SCORM updates, revisions are inevitable. My roles at Mindtree and Whitehat Jr taught the importance of backups and version control. In the dynamic world of EdSaaS, testing revised content before redistribution ensures we continually meet the ever-evolving needs of our learners.
Always consider modularity. When developing or storyboarding, consider how you might present the content in brief (5-minute) chunks. When update time comes—and it will—learners will welcome not feeling overwhelmed with material, and you'll appreciate the efficiency it brings.
In my experience, the best way to save content is to name it using version, month and year. Make sure to upload it in the LMS using a naming convention that is followed for all courses.
First and forement, test your SCORM files. There are so many issues that can arise. These are complicated files with a lot of visibility. They need to be working properly for optimal impact. Updating training is an area that is a struggle for organizations. With SCORM content, it can be even trickier if you don't have someone internal or on-hand with the tools. Also, many organizations change their processes frequently, which will require a communication process between Operations and Training/L&D.
The SCORM version you publish to can affect reusability. SCORM 1.2 is the most widely adopted version of the SCORM standard. SCORM 2004, while newer and theoretically wider in scope, has never been fully adopted by the industry. For the broadest possible reusability, publish to SCORM 1.2.
Reporting needs to be considered as well. SCORM files can report so much data, but the LMS may not have the capability or the integration to report in the way you would expect. This can affect the expectation versus reality that teams can have. For example, Training Delivery may expect to be able to report on something (or in a certain manner), but ID has no way to make it happen due to tool restraints. Be clear on what will be reported or work to fix the root issue.
As far as possible, use the provided features of the tools when you publish or create the SCORM packages. In case you absolutely have to customize the progress tracking, scoring or any other back-end feature, ensure you have the technical expertise in the team and document the changes made. Remember, the training material may need to be republished if updated and the knowledge of the changes or fine tuning done in the SCORM content needs to be referenced each time the package is created for upload on the LMS.