SCORM and LMS: Creating future-proof and flexible content for your learning platform

Combining SCORM and LMS platforms to achieve more flexible courses.

For many years, SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) has been the foundation of e-learning content packages. If you wanted to share multimedia content with your learners you almost certainly needed to combine two things: the content authoring capabilities of SCORM and LMS infrastructure to manage and deliver the content you created.

That meant using a SCORM authoring package to create interactive content, and then uploading to your LMS where it could be accessed by users. 

But with the latest generation of LMS platforms taking giant leaps forward in their content creation offerings, a SCORM package is no longer a necessity. You can now create native content using the course design functionality of platforms such as Totara Learn, Moodle LMS and Moodle Workplace. This has many benefits for your organisation and its learners.

Benefits of designing courses on your LMS

1. Greater control

By designing your own courses within your learning platform, you have greater control over every aspect of your content than if you’re reliant on a third-party SCORM package. This includes things like accessibility, analytics, and the look and feel of the content.

2. Better data

The powerful reporting systems within Totara and Moodle are much more detailed than what is typically available with a SCORM authoring package. That means designing courses within an LMS gives you more detailed insights into how users are interacting with your content.

3. More consistency

When the learning content is created in the same platform in which it will be delivered, that helps to create a more seamless experience for users and to reduce the chances of things going wrong.

4. No extra cost

A SCORM authoring package is not only another layer of complexity but also an extra cost. You can immediately save a chunk of your budget by instead using course design functionality that is already paid for within the cost of your LMS.

SCORM and LMS platforms: the future

A key advantage of the LMS platforms mentioned above is that, as well as being equipped with native course designers, they are also SCORM compatible. This means that uploading SCORM packages to your LMS is always available as a backup option for:

• Educators and admins who are not yet trained on Moodle or Totara content creation
• Third-party learning content created using SCORM
• Legacy content that you’re not ready to refresh

Is it time to find alternatives to SCORM?

In our experience, the level of frustration with SCORM among L&D professionals is growing. Although there are many reasons for this, the two most common complaints relate to accessibility and analytics.

SCORM authoring packages tend to be too inflexible to deliver the level of accessibility that organisations need from their workplace learning today. If the platform you’re using to create learning content struggles to meet the accessibility standards you need, an entire strategy for engaging users can quickly unravel.

Similarly, the widespread availability of data means that it now underpins decision-making for many HR and L&D teams. SCORM packages are off-the-pace in this regard — they don’t offer the same level of insights that we now expect from the technology we use.

So is it time to find alternatives to SCORM? The only real argument against moving to an alternative is just how deeply embedded SCORM is within online learning infrastructure. But we don’t see this as a valid reason to avoid tackling the problem.

Admins and educators can be easily trained to create content using the intuitive course designer functionality available within an LMS. And, as we’ve already discussed, legacy SCORM content can remain embedded within your LMS for as long as needed, so the weight of existing SCORM content needn’t be a factor.

How will SCORM and LMS course builders compare for you?

Get in touch to discuss how Moodle and Totara course builders could end your reliance on SCORM. Just use the form below and we will be in touch.

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