What Is SCORM?

If you’re interested in e-learning, you’ve probably heard of or seen the acronym SCORM. To my eyes, it looks like it should be the name of a Star Trek enemy—kind of like the Borg Collective. But nope, it’s a set of rules, standards, and specifications for making e-learning modules and learning management systems (LMSs) work together. Read on if you’re curious for more information.

What Does SCORM Do?

SCORM ensures that e-learning courses can be imported into, assigned, played, completed, and tracked from a learning management system (LMS). That’s assuming that both the e-learning course and the LMS are SCORM-compliant.

Can You Explain the SCORM/LMS Relationship in One Sentence?

SCORM makes e-learning courses and learning management systems play nice together.

Can You Give Me An Analogy that Explains How SCORM Works?

When you buy a music CD—assuming you still buy those—you can put it into any CD player and it will play. It doesn't matter who made the CD, and it doesn’t matter who made the CD player. That’s what SCORM does too—it lets you play a SCORM-compliant e-learning course in a SCORM-compliant LMS. Or it's like software for viewing digital images that can only work with certain kinds of images (BMP, JPG, PNG, etc.) Or it's like software for viewing digital video files that can only work with certain kinds of video files--like WMP. Or, if you're old enough for this one, it's like the old VHS and BETA video tape thing--most players could play only one type, but not both. Happily, some LMSs can play more than one of the common formats (SCORM but also AICC and xAPI), but they DO have to be designed to play one or more specific format.

What Would Life Without SCORM Be Like?

How about this—think of videos games you buy for video game players such as Wii, X-Box, and Play Station. If you buy a game for the Wii, you can’t play it on your X-Box. Life without SCORM would be kind of like that. :( [optin-monster slug="zuzuvyij6mtvscihsoql"]

Are There Several Versions of SCORM?

Yes. SCORM 1.2 was the first commonly used version, and most learning management systems use and support it today. There’s also a more recent version called SCORM 2004.

SCORM—So What Does That Stand For?

Sharable Content Object Reference Model. Catchy, huh?

If I Create My Own e-Learning Courses, Do I Have to Know How to Code Them in SCORM?

Nope. Standard eLearning authoring tools like Adobe Captivate and Articulate Studio & Storyline do it for you. Just push the Publish button and they'll ask you for the intended format.

Who Created It?

The Advanced Distributive Learning (ADL) Initiative, on behalf of the United States Secretary of Defense.

Where Can I Learn More about SCORM?

Try here and here. [optin-monster slug="tfb0ea1ze5dftije3pdk"]

What Is AICC?

It’s an earlier alternative to SCORM. You can read more about it here.

What’s the Tin Can API/xAPI/Experience API?

It’s something that’s often referred to as the “next generation SCORM,” and it’s also sometimes called the Experience API. Read more about it here. Also, this is a very good guide, though it's gated (you'll have to give name/email, etc.). Feel free to download the LMS Evaluation Checklist below if this is something you're looking into these days.

More about Learning Management Systems

Reading about SCORM suggests either an interest in learning management systems (LMS), eLearning courses, or both. If you'd like to know more about LMSs, try some of the articles below out for size:

• What Is an LMS?
• Online Training Basics: LMSs, eLearning, Authoring Tools, and SCORM
• Choosing an LMS (Free LMS Buyer's Guide--includes the checklist at the bottom of this article, too)
• 6 Must-Have LMS Features
• Warning Signs You'll Outgrow Your LMS If It's Too Small
• 12 Ways to Administer Instructor-Led Training With an LMS
• Using an LMS to Onboard New Workers More Efficiently & Effectively
• Onboarding New Manufacturing Workers with an LMS
• Improving OJT with an LMS
• LMSs and Safety Training
• LMSs for Online Safety Training
• How an LMS Can Help with New Employee Safety Onboarding
• How Can an LMS Improve the ROI of My Health and Safety Training Program?
• Is an LMS Only Good for e-Learning? Nope.
• Do You Need An Authoring Tool to Use an LMS?
• Checklists and LMSs

More about eLearning Courses

And here are some additional articles about eLearning courses:

• 8 Times When eLearning Is Better than Instructor-Led Training
• eLearning Basics: LMSs, Authoring Tools, and SCORM
• Using eLearning for Standard, Consistent Training Message
• eLearning or DVD?
• What is SCORM?
• How to Create Your Own eLearning Course

Conclusion: What Is SCORM?

If you're looking for online training (eLearning courses) or a learning management system (LMS), it's important to know what SCORM and similar eLearning standards, such as AICC and xAPI, are and what they do. We hope this explanation of SCORM has been helpful to you. Before you go, feel free to download our free LMS Evaluation Checklist below.