SCORM Evolved?
xAPI was created to be the next generation of SCORM but in reality, there are a lot of differences between areas covered by the two specifications. xAPI enables the tracking of any learning experiences whilst SCORM focused on packaged quiz-based e-learning courses. Read more about the differences between SCORM and xAPI here.
Many organizations already have libraries of SCORM based content that they want to continue to use as they transition to xAPI. So what place does SCORM have in xAPI world, and can the two peacefully co-exist?
Convert your content
Replacing SCORM tracking with xAPI tracking in an authoring tool or piece of content is a well worn path and most authoring tools have already done this. If you created your content in an authoring tool, converting to xAPI could be as simple as republishing with different publish settings.
Developers can follow our SCORM to xAPI cookbook to see how SCORM data can translate and use the TinCanJS code library to send the data. You should also take a look the statements generated by the Golf Prototype and other authoring tools.
Translate your tracking
If you’ve got a large library of content, republishing could be a daunting task. Fortunately, more and more LMSs will translate SCORM data into xAPI data for you and if not, there are 3rd party tools that will do so. If your existing content works as SCORM, you can leave it as SCORM and track it with xAPI as you would any other learning experience.
Again, developers can follow our SCORM to xAPI cookbook and find a code library relevant to the language of their platform. The statements generated by the Golf Prototype and other authoring tools give a helpful reference here too.
Migrate your mindset
If you’re just using xAPI to replicate your SCORM tracking, you’re not taking full advantage of xAPI. Really, xAPI requires a change of mindset from SCORM. We dig into this in more detail in the design section; here’s some questions to start you on that path:
- Does the content need to be packaged up and hosted in the LMS or can it sit somewhere central outside the LMS and be linked to?
- How will learners discover and access the course? Do they need to go via the LMS or could it be delivered via some other method?
- What different elements contribute to the learner’s journey? How does what you’re creating fit into that journey?
- Instead of a linear course with a quiz, consider alternative structures like a scenario or serious game. What do success and completion look like for that type of experience? Are they even relevant concepts?
- How do social, informal and workplace learning contribute to the learning objectives? How are those recognised?
With xAPI you’re free to think beyond the traditional slides and quiz courses you may have created with SCORM in the past.
Translate your tracking
We have a range of products that can help you to translate SCORM tracking data to xAPI or even xAPI data to SCORM if your LMS doesn’t provide that feature already.