E-learning solutions make it possible to overcome some of the barriers that characterise face-to-face training, contribute to student motivation and make teaching more flexible. In a multichannel society, a 3.0 global training program is essential if you want to obtain tangible results in the long and short term. Educators and administrators are continually searching for tools and standards that improve the effectiveness of online training. Among these, the SCORM format stands out as a crucial element to optimise content delivery and improve the teaching experience. Therefore, it is important to know what SCORM is, how it works and why it is essential for modern online training.
What is SCORM: definition and history
Firstly, we must be clear about is what “SCORM” actually is.
SCORM is a set of technical standards for eLearning products. It provides the communication method and data models that allow eLearning content and LMSs to work together. It tells programmers how to write code so that what they build will “play well” with other eLearning software. SCORM is the most widely used eLearning standard available.
What is SCORM: SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model, which is a technical standard used in the e-learning industry. Its main function is to guarantee the interoperability and reuse of digital educational content. It allows the e-learning content created in one system to be compatible with other management systems. Therefore, it must comply with a series of common standards that facilitate this.
This definition might not be not too clear at first sight, so let’s expand a little more on these characteristics. SCORM content is content that meets the specifications of the SCORM model.
- Designed to be displayed in a browser.
- Described by metadata
- Organised as a structured set of smaller objects.
- Packaged in such a way that it can be imported by any SCORM compatible platform.
- Created so that it can be distributed by any web server on any operating system.
In short, SCORM is, quite simply, a standard or set of rules that allow us to package the digital content that we want to be part of our course and to be displayed in the correct order on our learning platform. The advantage of this format is that it offers us the possibility of sharing it with other training platforms that also comply with the SCORM standard. Before its creation this was impossible because the proprietary formats in which courses were prepared prevented importation or sharing.
SCORM standard 1.2
Until this standard appeared in the early 2000s, the field of e-learning had a problem: courses that were created in a specific system only worked in that system and in no other. In short, when an institution changed LMS, they could no longer access their old courses, and vice versa. This left them limited to the courses that were created in that system. With SCORM, a list of requirements is established that, if met in the development of content, makes them compatible with different LMS.
Since October 2001, when SCORM version 1.2 was released, it has become the most widespread version to date – in fact, more than 70% of training programs use this standard.
How SCORM works
This format is based on two components. On the one hand, the content, and on the other, the learning management system or LMS. Content objects can contain text, images, videos or assessments – in short, any type of educational resource. These objects are packaged so that they can be easily shared, and reused, in different LMS.
On the other hand, a SCORM platform is, in turn, a system that meets the specifications of the model:
- You can accept any SCORM content and make it available to platform users.
- It provides an execution environment in which the contents are launched and displayed through a web browser.
- The execution environment meets certain technical requirements defined by SCORM.
When choosing content for their LMS, educational and training centres must ensure that their platform is compatible with the most widespread standard on the market, SCORM.
Benefits of SCORM in online training
The use of the SCORM format and its standards makes it easier for the same content to be used on different educational platforms.
- Interoperability: It ensures that content created on one platform can be used in different learning management systems, facilitating migration and collaboration between educational institutions.
- Reusability: SCORM content objects can be reused in various courses and contexts, saving time and effort in the creation of educational materials.
- Progress tracking: It enables detailed tracking of student progress, providing educators with accurate data on each student’s performance.
- Standardised evaluation: The ability to standardise assessment across different platforms ensures consistency and objectivity in measuring learning.
- Modularity: The contents consist of units or modules that are exportable to other courses.
Now that we have reviewed what SCORM is, it is clear that it is synonymous with savings in time and money. All CAE solutions are developed in SCORM format, which allows content to be easily shared, as well as transferred to different devices. Both the CAE computer science courses (management, design, office automation, programming) and the Dexway language courses can be purchased in SCORM format for your own learning platform. It is also included as a turnkey course with the Voluxion platform, with which you will integrate new functions such as communities, dictionary or more advanced artificial intelligence.
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