What is SCORM 1.2 and Why Us It?

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)

SCORM is a suite of technical specifications that enable web-based learning systems to find, import, share, reuse, and export eLearning content in a standardized fashion. The number following SCORM refers to the version number of the standard. Each version number corresponds with a improvement in the standard. Below, we have included a brief overview of past improvements to the initiative.

How SCORM Works and Why We Use It

In the SCORM world there is a set of services that launch learning content, keep track of learner progress, determine the delivery sequence of the learning objects, and reports student mastery through a learning experience. SCORM standardized the means in which eLearning content communicates with a SCORM compliant learning management system (LMS), and vise versa.

As custom eLearning courseware developers, HALIGHT employs SCORM to ensure that all our courseware is importable, shareable, reusable and most importantly, compatible with the countless number of LMSs on the market today.

Complete compatibility gives you the peace of mind that whatever courseware we develop for your organization will work with your existing LMS.

SCORM Version 1.0

In January 2000, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) released SCORM Version 1.0, a first in converging learning content. This release represented a work in progress. After a successful amount of testing, ADL released example implementations and a suite of conformance testing software.

SCORM Version 1.1

One year later SCORM Version 1.1 became available. This marked the end of the trial implementation phase and the beginning of the application phase for ADL. The specifications were examined, updated and clarified prior to this release. SCORM Version 1.1 included corrections and improvements based on feedback received from the SCORM Version 1.0 release.

Changing Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model to Sharable Content Object Reference Model is the most noticeable change. This was done to better show that the SCORM applies to various levels of content. Aligning with this shift, Course Structure Format was also changed to Content Structure Format to show that collections of learning content, whether smaller or larger than an entire course, could be represented through the SCORM.

At this point SCORM was now sufficiently stable to serve as the foundation for large-scale development of tools and content.

SCORM Version 1.2

With the release of SCORM Version 1.2 the addition of content packaging application profiles became available. Derived from the IMS Content Packaging specification, these profiles map the Content Structure Format (CSF) from the SCORM Version 1.1 into the general IMS specifications. This version of the SCORM also updates the meta-data used to describe learning content.

While continuing to evolve through corrections and improvements proposed by the ADL Community, SCORM Version 1.2 avoids changing or expanding its scope from SCORM Version 1.1.

SCORM 2004

With the release of SCORM 2004, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) has decided to change the versioning of SCORM. For more information please visit the ADL website at: http://www.adlnet.org.