e-Learning Standards and SCORM

A content package is a standard for describing learning content that can be read by many programs. It’s used in e-learning courses to define educational content. It is also used for an assessment that can be delivered by a Learning Management System. Sana Software closely follows development of those standards and is ready to adopt any standard that evolves. Below we offer you a clear overview of the most common standards currently in use by Sana Software.

IMS

IMS specifications promote the adoption of learning and educational technology and allow the selection of best-of-breed products that can be easily integrated with other such products. These include a wide variety of technologies that support or enhance the learning experience, such as web-based course management system, learning management systems, virtual learning environments, instructional management systems, student administrative systems, ePortfolios, assessment systems, adaptive tutoring systems, collaborative learning tools, web 2.0 social learning tools and learning object repositories The IMS format was used by SCORM to define their packaging format, and typically every SCORM content object is defined by such a content package.

AICC

The Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC) is an international association of technology-based training professionals. In 1993, the AICC produced what is widely regarded as the first runtime interoperability specification for Learning Management Systems a.k.a. CMI (Computer Managed Instruction) Systems. This AICC specification (CMI001 - AICC/CMI Guidelines For Interoperability) was originally designed for CD-ROM/LAN operation and was updated in January 1998 to add a web-based interface called HACP (HTTP-based AICC/CMI Protocol). In September 1999, the CMI001 specification was updated to add a Javascript API runtime interface. The runtime environment data model and API used in the SCORM specification is a derivative of this work.

ADL-SCORM

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 (commonly a function of a learning management system). SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file. 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 1.2

This was the first version that was and still is widely used and supported by most Learning Management Systems today. Sana EasyGenerator 7 and Sana Learning Portal are both SCORM 1.2 compliant.

SCORM 2004

The current version. Based on new IEEE standards for API and content object-to-runtime environment communication. Many ambiguities of previous versions were resolved in this version. Includes the ability to specify adaptive sequencing of activities that use the content objects. Includes the ability to share and use information about success status for multiple learning objectives or competencies across content objects and across courses for the same learner within the same learning management system. A more robust test suite helps ensure good interoperability. SCORM 2004 (3rd and 4th edition) is supported by Sana EasyGenerator 7.1.

Future developments

Two major developments are planned for the nearby future. The first is Common Cartridge. This is a specification being developed by IMS. The Common Cartridge (CC) standard distills state-of-the-art practice in online education and training into an easy-to-follow format for creating and sharing digital content. The Common Cartridge format includes the following specifications:

The International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI) is a nonprofit organization focused on enabling technical interoperability for computer-based learning, education, and training systems. LETSI was founded in March, 2008 to serve the international SCORM community.

Comprised of e-learning vendors, adopters, standards bodies, associations, and policy makers, LETSI's primary activity is to support the adoption of open software standards in learning systems. The LETSI community formed around an international planning effort for the next generation of SCORM. This was originally created by the U.S. Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative.

Outputs of LETSI, such as a new SCORM reference model ("SCORM 2.0"), are planned to be public and non-proprietary. To increase consistency of adoption and to decrease time-to-market for innovation, LETSI plans to develop enabling software components (for example, code for RESTful and SOAP-based web services) and other tools for developers.