25 August 2025
How to deliver better SCORM experiences on your LMS
Jonny McAlister
Head of Customer Experience
This article explores different ways you can use your learning management system (LMS) to deliver a better SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) experience to your e-learners.
SCORM remains almost universal in its use across online learning platforms around the world.
While there are now many alternatives to SCORM, SCORM’s simplicity, flexibility, and interoperability ensure it remains the most popular learning content standard for the vast majority of organisations.
How to use your LMS to deliver better experiences to learners
Despite SCORM’s ubiquity, not all SCORM experiences are the same. Universality doesn’t necessarily have to mean uniformity. There are things you can do to lift SCORM packages above the average to create better SCORM experiences for your learners.
Many SCORM packages are text-heavy, cumbersome and disengaging. Yet SCORM can also be used to deliver meaningful learning experiences and create training that sticks.
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Creating better SCORM packages
There are a variety of ways to create better SCORM packages within your LMS. Whether that’s making elements more engaging through an LMS designed with your users’ experience in mind or gamification to encourage learners to complete modules.
Here are some of the key ways to improve SCORM learning content for your learners.
❇️ Use engaging design
Opt for a responsive design that has been tested on desktop, tablet and mobile versions of your LMS. Incorporate clear navigation and logical course structures that make it easy for learners to find their way around. Use branding and colours that make learners feel the SCORM package is an extension of familiar platforms and systems.
❇️ Break down your courses
Create multiple shorter, bite-sized SCORM packages rather than one long one. Microlearning modules of short, focused content are easier to digest and therefore more engaging than longer courses. This encourages your learners to complete modules in a single sitting and improves learner outcomes.
❇️ Use interactive content
Incorporate quizzes, decision paths and other interactive scenarios in SCORM packages to keep learners engaged. By taking an active role in learning content, your learners will become more invested in its outcome.
This is even more effective when using interactive scenarios that are based on real-world work situations that each learner encounters in their role.
❇️ Take a (restrained) multimedia approach
Combine video, audio, photos and animations to add variety to your SCORM packages. This assortment of engaging media will interest learners.
But keep in mind that more media doesn’t always mean better SCORM experiences. A procession of video, audio and graphics can become overwhelming for learners. Know when to hold back and combine multimedia content with clear text and simple graphics.
❇️ Make SCORM packages accessible
Deliver better SCORM experiences for everyone by making sure content is accessible to all your learners. Simple measures like adding subtitles, transcripts and layouts that work well on screen readers will all help.
Putting in place features and technologies that meet the needs and learning styles of different learners increases the likelihood of high engagement levels.
❇️ Increase motivation among learners
By adding badges, other forms of gamification, or storytelling elements, you can motivate learners to interact with your SCORM packages. Spark curiosity or competitiveness to increase learner engagement.
❇️ Make SCORM collaborative
Transform SCORM packages from solo activities into group learning experiences. LMS forums, webinars and Totara workspaces can all be used alongside SCORM activities to encourage social learning. This creates better learning experiences for all learners and nurtures a sense of accountability.
❇️ Continually improve SCORM content
Use the data generated by SCORM packages to improve the content. Pinpoint where learners end their session using the lesson location data. This can be useful for identifying bottlenecks, technical issues or other problems.
For example, you might need to fix a broken link, simplify content or split a package into two shorter activities.
❇️ Tie SCORM to competency goals
Link SCORM results to your competency framework. This ensures that engagement with SCORM content has a direct impact on development and career progression, which increases its relevance.
It also helps you to keep SCORM packages focused on the topics that deliver the best outcomes for your organisation and its people.
❇️ Wrap SCORM packages in other activities
Don’t think of a SCORM package as a standalone learning resource. Build other activities around it that will create a more comprehensive learning experience. Forums, polls and assignments linked directly to a SCORM package can help to drive engagement.
❇️ Base completion on pass marks
It’s easy for anyone to skim through a SCORM package. Increase the value of your content — and improve learning outcomes — by applying completion rules that are based on pass marks, not just on opening or viewing slides. That way, you’ll know anyone completing the course has had to engage fully with it.
Explore SCORM for your LMS
Ready to bring better SCORM packages to your learners? Our team of learning technology experts can guide you through a wide range of off-the-shelf and custom learning content. We’ll have you find the options that are right for the outcomes you need to achieve.
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