Comparative Analysis of SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5

As the most popular e-learning standard, SCORM has become an integral part of the online education industry. If a learning management system (LMS) is SCORM compliant, it will be able to play SCORM material, and vice versa. In addition to making everyone happy, this compatibility also results in significant cost savings.

Even while SCORM has been helpful, it is still missing some key components of modern e-learning.

It's no longer the case that learning only takes place in SCORM-compliant modules housed in proprietary learning management systems. xAPI allows you to document any kind of educational encounter, regardless of time, place, or medium. If you want to see the big picture, xAPI can help you do that. While xAPI Statements are capable of capturing a wide variety of data, it can be difficult for automated systems to make sense of the information without a clear set of guidelines and a standardised language.

cmi5 fills this void by retaining the structure of SCORM while also incorporating the tracking flexibility of xAPI. This makes it suitable for use in the wide variety of learning methods and systems now in use.

What sets SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5 apart from one another?

What follows in the chart is a pretty good summary.

image source: xapi.com

Defined content launch

Launch procedures for content have been standardised by SCORM and cmi5. Launching content within a learning management system (LMS) is not covered by xAPI.

Track “anything”

With SCORM, you can only collect and report on a limited set of information. Both xAPI and cmi5 provide user- and programmer-defined information components

Normalized reporting

Statements can be more easily categorised for normalised reports because to the requirements that cmi5 specifies for statements to include learner session identifiers.

Mobile applications

Because of its browser-only nature, SCORM is unable to monitor mobile apps in their native form. Both cmi5 and xAPI enable mobile access to a learning management system (LMS) via a web browser, an app that embeds a web browser, or native UI components.

Distributed content

The LMS and the server or domain where all SCORM content resides must be the same. Cmi5 allows content to be located globally.

Despite the fact that xAPI does not specify a packaging standard for content, it does lend credence to the idea that a learning activity may be located anywhere.

Data portability

The LMS acts as a repository for SCORM information. Data can be sent between platforms using xAPI and cmi5.

Extensibility

xAPI and cmi5 can record any kind of educational information. The LMS facilitates both through the use of a compliant LRS. As a result of using an LRS, you may quickly integrate additional systems into your learning ecosystem beyond the traditional LMS.

Normalized completion criteria

Cmi5 creates standardised criteria for evaluating student progress toward learning goals. Unfortunately, xAPI does not specify any kind of success criteria.

Multiple lesson support

cmi5 packages, like SCORM, provide numerous AUs in a defined hierarchy with progression criteria.