eLearning stands as a dynamic frontier presenting both vast opportunities and considerable challenges for educational institutions, corporate training sectors, and learners themselves. At the intersection of technology and learning, eLearning standards have emerged as crucial frameworks that govern how educational content is created, delivered, and tracked. These standards ensure that different software and platforms can share and interpret learning content reliably. The most prominent among these are SCORM, AICC, xAPI, cmi5, and IMS Cartridge.
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model)
SCORM is arguably the most well-known standard in the world of eLearning. Originally developed by the United States Department of Defense, SCORM was designed to standardize the way eLearning courses are packaged and exchanged. The beauty of SCORM lies in its widespread adoption; it allows for interoperability between content and Learning Management Systems (LMS), ensuring that various eLearning materials can be shared across different platforms with minimal hassle. SCORM dictates how to create “sharable content objects” or “SCOs” that can be reused in different systems and contexts.
AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee)
AICC predates SCORM as one of the first sets of standardized eLearning specifications. Created for the aviation industry, AICC addressed the need for courseware compatibility on a large scale. While AICC has been largely replaced by newer standards like SCORM, it laid the groundwork for many principles used in eLearning specifications today. It was also one of the first standards to support distance learning capabilities.
xAPI (Experience API/Tin Can API)
xAPI is a modern standard that surpasses earlier specifications by supporting more detailed tracking of learning experiences. With xAPI, not only can you track when a learner begins or completes a course but you can document practically every activity within the learning experience — whether that happens within an LMS or outside it. xAPI data can then be stored in a Learning Record Store (LRS), opening new possibilities for data analysis and adaptive learning experiences.
cmi5
cmi5 is often considered an extension of xAPI designed specifically with LMS integration in mind. It blends traditional LMS functionalities with the advanced tracking capabilities of xAPI while defining more specific rules for how they should interact. cmi5 simplifies creating packages that are imported into an LMS while still allowing rich tracking using an LRS—a best-of-both-worlds solution that seeks to build upon SCORM’s wide adoption while integrating xAPI’s innovative tracking abilities.
IMS Cartridge
Lastly, IMS Cartridge stands apart from these other standards because it focuses on interoperability at a curriculum level rather than individual courses or experiences. IMS Cartridges allow entire curriculums — including metadata about content as well as the content itself — to be imported into an LMS or other learning platform. It supports elements like discussion threads, assessments, ebooks, and more to be transferred seamlessly alongside course materials.
In conclusion, as eLearning continues to evolve at a rapid pace, these standards play pivotal roles in ensuring equitable access to education across diverse devices and platforms while enabling comprehensive data analytics to improve learning outcomes.