Wanting to quickly brush up your knowledge on SCORM and its role in learning and development? Then this is the guide for you.
In the ever-evolving world of digital learning, few acronyms have had the staying power of SCORM.
Whether you’re rolling out compliance training across a global workforce or curating microlearning experiences for a remote team, chances are you’ve encountered it; perhaps without even realising it.
For many in L&D, SCORM sits quietly in the background, making things work.
But what exactly is it, and why has it become such a cornerstone of modern eLearning ecosystems?
Keep reading to learn:
- What SCORM is
- What a SCORM file is
- How SCORM works
- Plus some key FAQs
Let’s get started.
What is SCORM?
SCORM, or Sharable Content Object Reference Model, is a set of technical standards for e-learning software products.
It helps e-learning content and learning management systems communicate and work together.
In simple terms, it’s the framework that allows different e-learning courses and LMS platforms to “speak the same language,” making it possible to deliver, track, and manage learning content across various systems seamlessly.
Essentially, SCORM ensures that e-learning materials can be easily shared, reused, and tracked across different systems, which has made it a popular standard in corporate and educational training environments.
What is a SCORM file?
A SCORM file is a package of e-learning content that follows the SCORM standard.
It’s basically a zip file (usually with a .zip extension) that contains all the necessary files for an online course; HTML, JavaScript, media, quizzes, etc..
It also contains the metadata and instructions needed on how it should interact with an LMS.
In simple terms, a SCORM file is like a “boxed” lesson or course that can be uploaded to your LMS and will just work, tracking things like:
- Learner progress
- Quiz scores
- Time spent
- Completion status
How it works
When you build a learning course via an authoring tool that is SCORM compliant, the output is a ZIP folder.
You add that zip folder to your LMS, and then an enrolled user can launch the course content in a browser.
SCORM-compliant content interacts with an LMS through an API.
The LMS uses this API to:
- Track learner progress
- Record quiz scores and completion data
- Track the amount of time spent on a course.
For example, if a user takes a SCORM-compliant quiz in a course, the LMS can track and store the user’s score, completion status, and time spent, allowing the user to resume the course where they left off, even if they close the browser.
Key benefits
Here are a few key benefits to using SCORM:
Interoperability: It works across any SCORM-compliant LMS, making it highly portable.
Reusability: You can use individual objects across multiple courses or systems without having to recreate or reformat them.
Tracking and reporting: It enables detailed tracking of learner interactions, completion, and performance.
Limitations and alternatives
While SCORM is still widely used, it has limitations in supporting advanced learning experiences, mobile learning, and offline access.
Newer standards, such as xAPI (or Tin Can API), offer more flexibility and support for capturing a wider range of learning experiences across different environments, from mobile devices to virtual reality.
SCORM remains a core standard in eLearning due to its portability and compatibility, making it foundational in traditional online training programs.
Key components
We’re about to get technical, so if you don’t need the finer details, feel free to skip ahead, but here are some key components that you need to be mindful of:
- Sharable content object (SCO):
These are the building blocks of SCORM content. Each SCO is a small, modular unit of instructional content (e.g., a video, a quiz, or an interactive exercise) that can be reused across different courses and LMS platforms.
- Runtime environment:
SCORM defines how the LMS launches content, tracks learner progress, and records scores. The runtime environment enables the LMS to capture things like completion status, scores, and time spent on a course.
- Content packaging:
SCORM content is packaged in a standardised format, typically a zip file called a PIF (Package Interchange File), containing all the resources required for the content to work, such as HTML files, media assets, and XML manifest files.
The XML manifest file provides information about the structure of the content and how it should be delivered.
Do I need another tool to make SCORM content?
Yes, to create SCORM content, you typically need a compatible authoring tool in addition to your LMS.
While an LMS can deliver and track your content, most LMS platforms are not designed to create the interactive, multimedia elements required for such courses.
Alternative options
Some LMS platforms offer basic content creation tools or allow you to add SCORM-compliant quizzes, but these usually have limited capabilities compared to dedicated authoring tools.
Additionally, some free SCORM tools allow you to test or convert simple content into packages, though they don’t offer extensive interactivity options.
What does SCORM content look like?
SCORM content can look like a wide variety of e-learning materials, but it’s typically multimedia-rich and interactive, packaged as a course module that integrates with an LMS.
Here’s what it often includes and how it appears to learners:
Interactive slideshows and presentations
You often begin with slides that introduce the topic, similar to a PowerPoint presentation, but with additional interactivity, animations, and multimedia.
Learners can click through at their own pace, with prompts or buttons guiding them to the next section.
Quizzes and assessments
Built-in quizzes and assessments, such as multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions, are common in SCORM courses.
These quizzes are embedded in the course and scored automatically by the LMS, with results tracked for progress and completion records.
Videos and multimedia elements
These courses often include videos, animations, or audio clips to explain key concepts.
These multimedia elements keep learners engaged and can be paired with captions, transcripts, or interactive prompts to enhance learning.
Interactive simulations and scenarios
SCORM content frequently includes interactive simulations or scenario-based activities where learners make choices or practice skills in a controlled environment.
These scenarios can branch based on learners’ choices, creating a customised path through the course.
Already got your SCORM content?
If you’re looking for an LMS to host your content, or are interested in what other providers can offer, then you’re in the right place.
You can easily upload SCORM content to BuildEmpire, and that’s not all.
As a platinum partner of Totara, we’ve optimised their core code to create a truly learner-focused solution.
With design tweaks like tile course formatting to fully-blown plugins like gamification, we put user experience at the heart of our platform.
Learn more about the BuildEmpire Edition, or book a demo to see it in action.