In the world of eLearning, standards play a crucial role in ensuring content interoperability, seamless data tracking, and smooth integrations with various Learning Management Systems (LMS). Over the years, the standards governing eLearning have evolved, reflecting changes in technology, instructional design needs, and learner engagement. Three key standards that have shaped the modern eLearning ecosystem are SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model), xAPI (Experience API), and LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability).
Let’s explore how these standards have evolved and their significance in today’s eLearning landscape.
SCORM: The Pioneer of eLearning Standards
Developed in the early 2000s by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative, SCORM was designed to address one of the biggest challenges in eLearning: content interoperability. Prior to SCORM, eLearning content often wasn’t compatible across different LMS platforms. SCORM set the stage for standardizing how eLearning courses are packaged and delivered, ensuring that content could be reused across various systems.
SCORM allowed instructional designers to create modular content, which could be easily shared and tracked within any SCORM-compliant LMS. It also facilitated the tracking of learner progress, assessment scores, and completion rates, which was revolutionary for its time. However, SCORM has some limitations, such as:
Limited tracking capabilities: SCORM can only track specific activities like course completion, quiz results, and time spent on content, leaving out other critical learning experiences.
Inflexibility in modern learning environments: SCORM was built for a world of desktop-based learning, making it less suited to mobile, social, and informal learning experiences.
xAPI: Expanding the Horizon of Learning Data
As learning environments became more diverse, it became clear that SCORM’s tracking capabilities were insufficient. Enter xAPI (Experience API), also known as Tin Can API, which was developed in 2013 to address the limitations of SCORM and adapt to the changing needs of the modern learner.
xAPI provides a more flexible and powerful approach to tracking learning experiences. Unlike SCORM, which is limited to LMS-hosted activities, xAPI can track learning across different platforms, devices, and environments, including mobile apps, virtual reality (VR), social learning, and even real-world activities. Some of the key advantages of xAPI include:
Tracking beyond the LMS: xAPI allows organizations to track a wide range of learning experiences, whether they occur inside an LMS, through a mobile app, or during on-the-job training.
Rich data collection: By capturing detailed statements in the form of “actor-verb-object” (e.g., “John completed a task”), xAPI provides a more nuanced understanding of the learner’s journey and behaviors.
Integration with Learning Record Stores (LRS): xAPI can store learner activity data in a Learning Record Store (LRS), a database specifically designed to capture and store learning experiences, making it easier to aggregate and analyze data.
With xAPI, organizations can now track virtually any learning experience, providing deeper insights into learner behaviors, preferences, and outcomes.
LTI: Bridging the Gap Between Tools and Systems
Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standard developed by IMS Global Learning Consortium, designed to integrate third-party learning tools with LMS platforms. LTI allows instructors to easily incorporate external learning tools, such as simulations, quizzes, or collaborative tools, into their courses without requiring complex integrations.
LTI’s key benefit is that it enables seamless access to external tools and resources without leaving the LMS environment. It addresses a need that neither SCORM nor xAPI was fully capable of fulfilling: creating a flexible and scalable way for educators and organizations to integrate a variety of digital tools into their eLearning ecosystems.
Some of the features of LTI include:
Single sign-on: LTI enables single sign-on (SSO) functionality, allowing learners to access third-party tools without needing separate credentials.
Plug-and-play integration: LTI simplifies the process of integrating third-party tools into LMS platforms, reducing the need for custom development and lowering technical barriers.
Cross-platform compatibility: LTI tools can be used across multiple LMS platforms, enhancing the versatility and reach of eLearning content.
LTI is particularly important for institutions and organizations that leverage multiple learning technologies, providing the flexibility to build rich, diverse learning experiences with a variety of tools.
The Future of eLearning Standards
While SCORM laid the groundwork for eLearning interoperability, xAPI and LTI represent the evolution of these standards in response to the demands of modern learning. The future of eLearning will likely see these standards converge and integrate more seamlessly, allowing for richer data, broader tracking capabilities, and more customizable learning experiences.
As organizations and educators continue to adopt new technologies—such as augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and personalized learning paths—standards like xAPI and LTI will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring these technologies work together effectively. SCORM, though still relevant in certain use cases, may gradually give way to more flexible and robust standards like xAPI and LTI.
Ultimately, the evolution of eLearning standards underscores the importance of creating interoperable, flexible, and data-rich learning environments that meet the needs of both learners and educators. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each standard, organizations can make informed decisions about how to best deliver and track their learning experiences in an ever-evolving digital world.
The evolution of eLearning standards from SCORM to xAPI and LTI highlights how far digital learning has come. While SCORM remains a foundational standard, xAPI and LTI provide more dynamic, flexible, and data-driven solutions for modern learning environments. As the eLearning landscape continues to evolve, the adoption and integration of these standards will ensure that learning experiences remain effective, engaging, and adaptable for learners and organizations alike.
The Continued Importance of SCORM for Corporate eLearning Programs
Despite the growing adoption of new eLearning standards like xAPI and LTI, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) remains a key player in corporate training programs. While it was introduced in the early 2000s, SCORM has stood the test of time, providing a reliable framework for delivering, tracking, and managing eLearning content across various Learning Management Systems.
Below, we will explore why SCORM continues to hold importance for corporate eLearning programs and how it complements modern training needs.
Key Benefits of SCORM for Corporate eLearning
1. Widespread LMS Compatibility
One of the major reasons SCORM remains crucial for corporate eLearning is its widespread compatibility. Most Learning Management Systems still support SCORM, ensuring that courses can be deployed seamlessly across various platforms without the need for custom integrations. This is particularly important for large organizations that use multiple LMS platforms or need to share training content with external partners.
SCORM-compliant content guarantees that companies can migrate or update their LMS without having to recreate or reformat their existing eLearning materials, saving significant time and resources.
2. Tracking and Reporting
SCORM’s built-in tracking and reporting features make it ideal for corporate training, where monitoring employee performance and progress is essential. With SCORM, corporate training administrators can track:
Completion status: Whether learners have completed a module or course.
Scores: Assessment and quiz results.
Time spent: How long learners spent on each course or module.
These metrics provide valuable insights for corporate training managers, allowing them to evaluate employee learning outcomes, identify knowledge gaps, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
3. Cost-Effectiveness and Longevity
For many organizations, SCORM’s continued relevance is tied to its cost-effectiveness. Creating SCORM-compliant content is relatively inexpensive compared to more complex standards like xAPI. Additionally, SCORM-based courses have a long shelf life and require minimal maintenance, making it a solid investment for companies that may not need the advanced tracking capabilities of newer standards.
SCORM has already been widely adopted in the corporate training world, meaning that companies don’t have to invest in new LMS platforms or content authoring tools. This standard also provides businesses with long-term stability, as it will continue to be supported by many LMS platforms for years to come.
4. Modular and Reusable Content
Another advantage of SCORM is that it allows companies to create modular, reusable content. Training programs can be divided into smaller units, or "Sharable Content Objects" (SCOs), which can be repurposed and reused in different courses. This modular approach is especially beneficial for large organizations with diverse training needs, as it reduces the need to constantly create new content for every program.
For example, a company might create a compliance module that can be reused across various departments, ensuring consistency while minimizing development time and costs.
SCORM in a Modern eLearning Environment
Though SCORM remains a dominant standard in corporate eLearning, it does have its limitations when compared to newer standards like xAPI. For example, SCORM is primarily suited for traditional, LMS-based learning environments and lacks the ability to track more complex or informal learning experiences, such as mobile learning, social learning, or real-world activities.
That said, many organizations still rely heavily on LMS-based training for key compliance programs, safety training, onboarding, and job-specific skill development. In these cases, SCORM’s robust tracking and reporting capabilities remain more than sufficient to meet their needs.
Additionally, modern content authoring tools have made it easier to create SCORM-compliant courses that are mobile-friendly and interactive, helping companies deliver engaging learning experiences while still benefiting from SCORM’s interoperability.
SCORM and Compliance Training
Corporate compliance training is one area where SCORM continues to be particularly important. Many industries—such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing—are subject to strict regulations, requiring detailed records of employee training and certifications. SCORM’s ability to track completion, scores, and time spent on compliance training makes it a valuable tool for meeting regulatory requirements.
For example, a healthcare organization may need to ensure that all employees complete annual HIPAA training. Using SCORM-compliant modules allows the organization to track which employees have completed the training, how well they performed, and whether they have spent enough time reviewing the material. This data can be easily accessed in case of an audit or regulatory review.
The Case for Blending SCORM with New Standards
As eLearning technologies evolve, some companies are blending SCORM with more advanced standards like xAPI and LTI. For instance, they may use SCORM for structured, LMS-based training programs while leveraging xAPI to track informal learning experiences or use LTI to integrate external tools into their LMS.
This hybrid approach allows organizations to make the most of SCORM’s robust tracking and compatibility while expanding their ability to monitor a wider variety of learning experiences.
Summary
While SCORM may not offer the advanced capabilities of newer standards, it continues to play a vital role in corporate eLearning programs. Its interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and tracking capabilities make it an ideal solution for organizations looking to standardize their training across multiple platforms. SCORM remains particularly important in industries that rely on compliance training, where accurate tracking and reporting are critical.
As corporate training programs continue to evolve, SCORM will likely remain a key standard for LMS-based learning, even as organizations explore additional standards like xAPI and LTI to enhance their learning ecosystems.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make the LMS Portals platform the ideal SaaS-based platform for our clients and reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
Comments