SCORM-compliant courseware

I began with the e-Learning strategy article. This article was a terrific review of fundamentals of e-learning in the corporate environment. It listed pros and cons of the program and steps needed for successful implementation in an organization. I noticed the acronym SCORM in a visual representation along with other unfamiliar acronyms. The article later listed the full name as Shareable Courseware Object Reference Module. Given the context, I am assuming it is some sort of standardized delivery method. Although the article was very informative about e-learning approaches in the business world, it did not get to the base level that I needed for some terminology.

After reviewing the requirements for Assignment 2, I decided to Google "SCORM-compliant courseware." I did this because I keep seeing the term SCORM in different situations and have no idea what the concept meant.

The first Google search found topics too advanced for my current needs. I then revised the search to simply "SCORM." This search yielded the Wikipedia entry which is where I began. I now know that SCORM is a set of standards and specifications for web-based learning. I also learned that this is the phenomenon responsible for setting the sequence of training through an e-module. From a few other classes, I can recall training being set up in this fashion; being able to bookmark, stop, start, and assess learning along the way. However, as I got a little deeper into the specifics, it is quite clear that I do not have the computer background needed to process the complexities of this concept.

So.... while reviewing the posted links at the bottom of my Wikipedia page, I found a terrific resource called "One Minute SCORM Overview for Anyone." Looked to be just up my alley!!! My synopsis after reading this page is that SCORM is a technology standard for content developers that want to sell their product to a wide audience. The audience already has their learning management system in place whether it be Blackboard or Angel or some other system out there. The audience wants to buy, for example, a piece of content to supplement their text book. The SCORM-compliant content developer knows that many colleges with different LMS' use the same text and will be buyers for his content. Therefore it is in his best interest to develop just ONE product that will work with everyone's equipment rather than a different development for each system.

Another link on the Google search led me to a Moodle forum with a discussion of the basics. This one had a graphic representation of SCORM that I would recommend to anyone desiring an alternate way of visualizing SCORM.


So then I went back to the original search and still came up with pages that didn't make much sense to me. I guess I need to continue reading up on the topic and save it for future blogs...

http://www.siue.edu/~mthomec/e-LearningStrategy.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCORM
http://www.scorm.com/resources/oneminuteoverview/OneMinuteOverview.htm
http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=3757