Understanding SCORM

From Wikipedia:

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, which is commonly supported by a learning management system.
• SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file called "Package Interchange Format" (PIF)

SCORM is a specification of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, which comes out of the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense.

SCORM 2004 introduced a complex idea called sequencing, which is a set of rules that specifies the order in which a learner may experience content objects. In simple terms, they constrain a learner to a fixed set of paths through the training material, permit the learner to "bookmark" their progress when taking breaks, and assure the acceptability of test scores achieved by the learner. The standard uses XML, and it is based on the results of work done by AICC, IMS Global, IEEE, and Ariadne.

From RUSTICI Software:

SCORM tells programmers how to write their code so that it can “play well” with other e-learning software

SCORM Versions:

• SCORM 1.1
• SCORM 1.2 
• SCORM 2004 (1.3) -
  • • 1st Edition - 2004 January
    • 2nd Edition - 2004 July
    • 3rd Edition - 2006 October
    • 4th Edition - 2009 March

SCORM is all about Packaging Content & Exchanging data at Run-time

SCORM comprises of three main areas.

1. Content Aggregation Model -
   1. Which covers Assets, SCO - Shareable Content Object (Contains logic for interfacing with LMS), Content Aggregation - Content Packaging
   2.  SCORM Packaging - imsmanifest - describes structure of course learners perspective, physical file system perspective
2. A Runtime Environment
   1. Browser ECMA Script (JavaScript) - API Adapter - Contains 8 main functions
      1. Initialize()*
      2. Terminate()*
      3. GetValue()
      4. SetValue()
      5. Commit()
      6. GetLastError()
      7. GetErrorString()
      8. GetDiagnostic()
   2. cmi.location - user's location in the content
   3. *Server to browser Communication - *Using Flash, ActiveX, Applets, Javascript, AJAX
3. Sequencing & Navigation
   1. Define Rules for Navigation through content.
   2. Sequencing Tracking Model 
      1. Objective Progress Information
      2. Activity Progress Information
      3. Attempt Progress Information
      4. Activity State Information
      5. Global State Information

AICC - Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee

IMS Global Learning Consortium (usually known as ITIMS or IMS GLC) -is a global, nonprofit, member organization that strives to enable the growth and impact of learning technology in the education and corporate learning sectors worldwide.

ADL  - Advance Distributed Learning Initiative (Parent of SCORM)

LETSI - Learning Education Training System Interoperability

RTWS - Runtime web service for Learning

TIN CAN -  An activity stream based Runtime system next gen of SCORM ?

PENS (Package Exchange Notification System) - is a protocol to enable "single click publishing" of LMS-ready content between the systems that support elearning, such as authoring tools, LCMS, LMS, registries, and repositories.