WebJunction

I recently put together some introductory notes about SCORM for our elearning group - what it is about, strengths & weaknesses etc . I've never used SCORM. My understanding is based on what I've read & heard so if you have any thoughts on the accuracy of the content or ideas about the usefulness or otherwise of SCORM, post them to the list.


SCORM is a collection of specifications for structuring, packaging, describing, finding and playing learning objects.

Why consider SCORM?
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* Enables content packages to be transferred across systems.
* Separates structure from content. Rather than hard-coding a navigation system, SCORM allows sequences to be described in a separate file. The LMS reads the file & generates a menu structure. Different sequence description files can be overlaid on a common body of content, enabling varying flavours of a resource to be created without need to recreate the content
*Provides a non-proprietary mechanism for telling an LMS what to do with a content package (e.g. play in a particular sequence; only allow the user to progress to section 3 if they have successfully completed the quiz at the end of section 2 etc.)
* Increasing support from LMS vendors (e.g. WebCT)
* Vast resources being applied to research, development & implementation
* Packages content, description & structure in a format that can be loaded from one LMS to another (i.e. helps with sharing & system migration)


Issues with SCORM
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* Tools for creating & structuring SCORM packages are not easy to use (e.g. the IMS specification for ‘Simple Sequencing’ of content in a learning module is not simple to implement. ‘Simple’ refers to the level of complexity that can be introduced to a sequence rather than the ease with which it can be put into practice).
* Designed for single user, self-paced online instruction (though research is underway concerning development of SCORM for collaborative, multi-user environments.)
* Relies on an LMS for access to content.
* LMS may or may not be able to provide a sufficiently rich interface to learning content.
* LMS vendors implement SCORM to varying degrees. Vendors often implement a common subset of features. Learning modules that call for SCORM features beyond a common subset are not fully supported in an LMS (even if an LMS claims to be SCORM conformant).

I don't remember a site like this but there is a great introduction to e-learning technology standards at CETIS in the UK.

http://www.cetis.ac.uk/

From the front page there are links to overviews on ...
* What are "learning technology standards"?
* Why are these standards important?
* Who else is involved?

They also have a collection of easy to read briefing papers on specifications such as LOM, QTI, SCORM & Learning Design (LD).

http://www.cetis.ac.uk/static/briefings.html