Why SCORM is the VHS of Modern eLearning: Time to Move On?

Since 2001, SCORM has been considered the gold standard for online course creation. A revolutionary development of the time, it took the e-learning industry by storm.

The development of SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) was driven by several roadblocks and challenges that people faced in the e-learning field, particularly in online course development and delivery. Lack of standards leading to inability to reuse content, single LMS compatible content, unreliable tracking and reporting, fragmented and complicated standards, and cost implications were some of the key roadblocks that led to the development of SCORM.

Since that time, the nature of online education evolved drastically. The introduction of multimedia such as interactive graphics, complex images, and videos is a necessity for digital learning in today’s scenario. It is a known fact that if you wish to capture the attention of the younger generation, the learners, including content formats they are used to consuming, are very important.

Apart from this, the content in today’s day and age has to be updated periodically and cannot stay static for years or months as well. Keeping in mind the dynamic nature of today’s online education, the following are some of the limitations being exhibited by SCORM:

SCORM was designed primarily for traditional e-learning content, which tends to be linear and module-based. It doesn't handle highly interactive or adaptive content well. Modern e-learning may require more dynamic and personalized experiences that SCORM struggles to support.

Developing SCORM-compliant courses can be complex, particularly for content creators who are not well-versed in programming or SCORM-specific requirements. It often requires a good understanding of SCORM's technical aspects, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

SCORM is primarily designed for tracking and reporting course completion and basic user interactions. It doesn't provide real-time data or granular insights into learner behavior, which can be a limitation for organizations seeking detailed analytics for performance improvement.

Making updates or revisions to SCORM courses can be challenging, especially if you need to modify existing content. Changing even a small part of a SCORM course can sometimes necessitate a complete repackaging and re-uploading process, making course maintenance cumbersome.

While SCORM aims for interoperability, there can still be compatibility issues between different versions of SCORM and various Learning Management Systems (LMS). This can lead to technical glitches and difficulties in ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms.

SCORM content may not always work seamlessly on mobile devices or responsive designs, as it was originally developed for desktop environments. Adapting SCORM courses for mobile learning can be challenging and may require additional development effort.

Managing a large number of SCORM courses and tracking learner data across multiple courses and learners can be challenging, especially for organizations with extensive e-learning libraries. This can lead to scalability issues when dealing with a large user base.

SCORM has limitations when it comes to handling rich media content, such as videos, animations, and simulations. Integrating and tracking user interactions with multimedia elements can be less straightforward compared to more modern e-learning standards.

While SCORM has been a foundational standard in the e-learning industry, these disadvantages highlight some of the practical challenges and limitations that organizations/universities/online course providers will encounter when using SCORM for online course development and delivery.?

If we continue to depend on SCORM, it will kill the diversity, flexibility, and engaging element that is extremely crucial in today’s education scenario. These aspects are truly important for boosting student engagement and success and thus the existence of the entire course.?

Following are some of the alternatives to SCORM with different set of capabilities and advantages over the traditional & standard route:

Also known as Tin Can API, is often considered an alternative and, in many ways, an evolution of SCORM in the context of online learning. While both xAPI and SCORM aim to track and report learning activities, they differ significantly in several aspects. It offers greater flexibility in tracking a wide range of learning experiences, both online and offline, enables easier content updates, provides smoother interoperability, and helps with detailed, granular data about learner interactions.

cmi5 is a specification that builds on top of xAPI, providing a more standardized approach for tracking e-learning content. It aims to combine the flexibility of xAPI with the structure and sequencing capabilities of SCORM.

An out-of-the-box solution with flexibility, advanced tracking, and interactivity at its core.

Following are some of the advantages of this route:

- Flexibility in Content Creation: HTML-based content templates provide greater flexibility for content creators. Unlike SCORM, which often requires a specific structure and packaging, HTML allows for a wide range of content formats, including multimedia, interactive simulations, and responsive designs. This flexibility enables more engaging and interactive learning experiences.

- Easy Integration: LTI simplifies the process of integrating external learning tools and content into Learning Management Systems (LMS). And works with all LMSs under the sun.

- No Need for Content Packaging: Unlike SCORM, which requires content to be packaged into specific formats, HTML-based content can be delivered as-is, reducing the complexity of content development and updates. Content creators can focus on the educational material itself rather than packaging and compatibility issues.

- Real-Time Updates: HTML-based content can be updated in real-time without the need for repackaging and re-uploading. This ensures that learners always have access to the most up-to-date information and resources, which is crucial in rapidly evolving fields.

- Adaptive Learning: HTML content templates can be designed to adapt to the learner's progress and needs. By leveraging the capabilities of HTML, content can dynamically change based on learner interactions, providing a personalized learning experience that may be challenging to achieve with SCORM.

- Improved Accessibility: HTML content templates can be designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that learners with disabilities have equal access to the material. This aligns with modern inclusivity standards and regulations.

- Reduced Dependency on Plugins: SCORM often relies on specific plugins or players to render content, which can lead to compatibility issues. HTML content, being web-based, can be viewed in standard web browsers without the need for additional plugins, making it more user-friendly.

- Cross-Device Compatibility: HTML content templates are compatible with a wide range of devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Learners can access the content on their preferred devices, enhancing accessibility and flexibility.

- Scalability: HTML-based content delivery via LTI can scale efficiently to accommodate a growing number of learners and courses without requiring extra infrastructure, thus saving you time and money.

At the end of the day, each course provider must ask themselves if they are following standards because they are a widely accepted popular solution or if is it helping them achieve their goals. If your North Star metric is student success and cost-effectiveness, it might be the time to move on from SCORM and explore other alternatives that better fit your needs.

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