We’ve been driven batty these past few weeks by the problems that some of our customers have been experiencing because of SCORM. Or, to be more precise, what they’ve been told is SCORM by other less reputable e-learning companies.
So we thought we’d write up what to look for when buying a SCORM course so that you know that what you’ve bought will do what it says on the tin. Here goes.
What is SCORM?
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of standards and specifications for web based e-learning. It defines communications between client side content and a host system called the run-time environment (commonly a function of a learning management system). SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file.
SCORM is a specification of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, which comes out of the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense.
What version of SCORM should I use?
Version SCORM 1.2 is widely used and is the standard supported by most Learning Management Systems today. It is the version implemented in our software and it’s what we need for loading courses onto Learning Pool DLE’s.
What should I look for when buying a SCORM course?
Ask your courseware supplier to give you the following general guarantees:
1. All pages and images are present
2. The course has been fully tested on a UNIX-based LMS to confirm that all images, page, javascript, flash file references are spelt correctly and are case perfect
3. All links to resource documents, pdf files and external documents/websites are tested
4. Your supplier should also ensure that the SCORM XSD files are correct and that the manifest file correctly references the values sections in the course as they expect
5. The SCORM tracking should adhere to standards and should be demonstrable on at least one SCORM LMS
6. Sample reports should be supplied to you so that you’re satisfied that the reporting provides the required learner activity information
What technical guarantees should I look for?
Your course could be supplied in one of the following three formats. Note which type of course you’re purchasing and consult the checklist provided.
1. Course without a quiz
1.1 Correctly records status with cmi.core.lesson_status=”not attempted”, “incomplete,” “completed”
1.2 Correctly records duration information using cmi.core.session_time
2. Course with a separate quiz
2.1 Correctly records status with cmi.core.lesson_status = “not attempted”, “incomplete”, “completed”
2.2 Correctly records duration information using cmi.core.session_time
2.3 Assessment Questions/Answers/Responses and pass rate supplied separately.
3. Course with an inbuilt quiz
3.1 Correctly records status with cmi.core.lesson_status = “not attempted”, “incomplete”, “completed”, “failed”, “passed” and a guarantee that the logic of these status is correct
3.2 Correctly records duration information using cmi.core.session_time
3.3 Assessment has correct implementation of cmi.core.score.min, cmi.core.score.max, cmi.core.score.raw
3.4 If a quiz has a pass rate then a correct implementation of the masterscore functionality is present
If you have any questions about SCORM don’t hesitate to ask us. You can contact us at support@learningpool.com or call 0845 174 1101.
Janet
Tags: dle, lms, SCORM, technical guarantees
November 20, 2008 at 7:55 pm |
Phew!
What a great guide!
I wish I had had this info a couple of years back when I was reading horribly techy documents trying to work out what was what in the world of e-learning standards.
That should make life a lot easier for anyone purchasing new e-learning to sit in an LMS (or DLE)
November 23, 2008 at 5:34 pm |
Great stuff.
I think I will produce this as a brief handout, to support any discussions I have about this.