Posts tagged learning

2nd April 2008

e-learning: SCORM resources on the web

SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model.

It’s a widely adopted and internationally recognised standard for tracking progress in online learning. It was first developed by ADL in the United States in 1999. The current release is SCORM 2004, though most large LMS vendors currently conform for to SCORM 1.2.

At the BBC, back in 2003, we developed our LMS, which was based on our philosophy of “learner-centred design”, to conform with SCORM.

For SCORM to work you need two components:

  1. A SCORM-conformant learning management system (LMS)
  2. SCORM-conformant content (based on sharable content objects, or SCOs) such as an online course or quiz

The term “conformant” is used instead of “compliance” for pragmatic reasons.

SCORM uses XML and a javascript wrapper (or API) to let the learning content communicate with the LMS.

Depending on the instructional design of your learning content, typically you might want to log certain information including:

  • the completion of a section, page, video or simulation - this can then be used if the learner resumes at a later date to avoid having to re-start from the beginning
  • a score that the learner has achieved, and the answers submitted in a quiz

A few sites and resources I’ve found useful on my e-learning travels:

8th December 2007

Are you happy with learning at work?

If you have five minutes to spare, Elliott Masie wants to know.

26th August 2005

Drag and drop Europe

How well do you know your European countries?

Try dragging and dropping 45 countries to their correct places on the European map in this Flash-based online learning game.

You have to be pretty accurate to get a right answer and there are no country outlines to help, only land and sea. I got 35 on my first go but learned enough to get 40 with an average error of 88 miles next time round.

Simple and effective.

Thanks to my mum for the link :)

More games available here.