SCORM Watch

LETSI Scores Global Response to SCORM 2.0 Initiative

LETSI, the International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability, has seen a huge international response to its July solicitation for input on the future of eLearning and the next generation of SCORM. SCORM, the Sharable Content Object Reference Model, is the de facto international software standard for learning systems interoperability. Ninety-five formal white papers were submitted and posted for public comment at www.letsi.org/scorm2. Informal comments and suggestions from emails and blog posts were also accumulated and posted on the wiki.

Contributions came from government, academic, and industry experts in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America. "We are pleased to see such a diverse group of industries coming together with LETSI to solve interoperability challenges. This global effort clearly demonstrates the industry's commitment and its desire to see a universal, collaborative effort to support the future of SCORM," stated Peter Lefkin, COO/CFO of the IEEE's Industry Standards and Technology Organization (ISTO).

ILIAS Open Source LMS Supports SCORM 2004

With the new version 3.9 ILIAS is the first open source LMS that supports SCORM 2004 and allows to run the didactical more sophisticated learning modules of this latest SCORM standard. Other new features are:

• Videos in mediacasts
• Manual sorting of category entries
• Upload of multiple files
• Copyright management incl. Creative Commons support
• Extension of test system
• Improvements of discussion forums
• Extended language maintenance
• Extension of LDAP authentication

Blackboard Backpack® with SCORM Support Now Available

Agilix Enhances Mobile Learning Solution with Blackboard Backpack Version 3.1

Agilix Labs, Inc., a worldwide leader in e-learning solutions, today released Blackboard Backpack® version 3.1 to its partner Blackboard Inc. This enhanced version of the Agilix and Blackboard-developed distributed learning application synchronizes with the Blackboard Academic Suite® and provides support for the 2004 Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) version. SCORM represents a collection of standards adapted from multiple sources for the interoperability, accessibility and reusability of digital learning materials. In addition, Blackboard Backpack 3.1 enables educational institutions, military organizations and students to access and interact with SCORM content offline.

"In an increasingly-connected world, it's important not to lose sight of learners and institutions that can't remain online 100 percent of the time," said Curt Allen, president and CEO of Agilix. "Both the Blackboard Backpack and GoCourse™ solutions support mobilized learners who often require access in remote locations, harsh conditions or with limited connectivity options. We're committed to delivering content to all of our customers -- from learners in the military to high school students around the world -- in an accessible format when and where they need it."

Although Blackboard Academic Suite has supported SCORM content in the past, Blackboard Backpack version 3.1 is one of the first distributed learning solutions to incorporate a SCORM player that enables offline access. The solution is ideal for institutions with reduced bandwidth and limited network connectivity that need content access in remote locations, such as military personnel when on field operations.

eLearning Companies Team-Up to Market New Learning Management System

Train-Ease, Inc. and webSolve, LLC announces their teaming-up to deliver a state-of-the art Learning Management System for corporations, franchise systems and other organizations interested in revolutionizing their training. The new SCORM-compliant system allows seamless delivery of multi-media training sessions via the Internet. Train-Ease’s courseware design capabilities offer a new dimension to webSolve’s existing portfolio of eLearning products and services.

SCORM or The Shareable Content Object Reference Model has become the standard in enterprise-level learning management systems. It is based on standards developed by the aviation industry and training professionals. Willimott noted that Train-Ease’s LMS currently “supports SCORM 1.2 standards based content and very soon will be supporting SCORM 2004 standards as well.”

Why can't our data just get along?

Developers of SCORM seek new content model for K-12 data, but consensus among educators and vendors may be elusive 

October 5, 2007 eSchool News article

The Schools Interoperability Framework Association (SIFA) and the Defense Department's Advanced Distributive Learning (ADL) Initiative are collaborating to improve interoperability in K-12 schools. Through the development of a new version of the Sharable Content Object Reference Model, or SCORM, the two groups hope to transform the way education content is shared, with a focus on improved teaching and learning. "Core SCORM" will feature capabilities including the aggregation of learning content, search and discovery, and tracking student achievement.

Joint ADL Co-Lab Selects Forterra Systems to Extend SCORM-Based Learning Content to 3D Virtual Worlds

Advanced Distributed Learning Co-Laboratory Taps Forterra to Research and Prototype a Solution, Based on Forterra™ Platform, for Delivering SCORM Compliant Content Through 3D Virtual Worlds, Focused on Counter IED Training

Forterra Systems, the market and technology leader in private virtual worlds, announced today that the Defense Department’s Joint Advanced Distributed Learning (JADL) Co-Laboratory, based in Orlando, Fla., has selected Forterra to lead a team to research methods for enabling interoperability, accessibility and reusability of Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) compliant learning content in 3D virtual worlds. The effort will include an instructional design study to determine the most appropriate use of the Massively Multiplayer On-line Game (MMOG) in counter- Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training, followed by development of a demonstration prototype.

Targeted to directly benefit the current U.S. military mission in Iraq, the effort will focus on developing a highly realistic virtual training environment based on MMOG technology that can support counter-IED training capabilities. Although this effort will focus on the IED mission, the results will be applicable to other DoD missions and training requirements.

Desire2Learn Teams with HunterStone Enabling Rapid Creation of SCORM Learning Modules

6 June 2007 Desire2Learn, Inc., a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise eLearning solutions, today announced that HunterStone has joined the Desire2Learn Partner Network as a Select ISV Member, offering Desire2Learn clients the ability to easily create Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) compliant eLearning modules.

This partnership enables content creators to easily develop learning objects using familiar Microsoft Office applications, and rapidly convert existing content into accepted eLearning specifications. SCORM compliant learning modules can be stored, tagged and accessed on an "as needed" basis from multiple sources including users' desktops and learning object repositories, as well as being launched and tracked in the Desire2Learn Learning Environment.

eLearning Content

This year is the tenth anniversary of the Defense Department's development of the Sharable Content Object Reference Model and SCORM is on its way to dominating the content marketplace for on-line courseware, both educational and corporate. SCORM is now managed by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, a part of the office of the Secretary of Defense, which now requires that all eLearning materials be SCORM compliant.

Read the full article here.

Xyleme and PulseLearning Partner for Mobile Learning Solutions

Xyleme® Inc., the leading provider of 100% XML, SCORM 2004 certified learning solutions announced that it has formed an alliance with PulseLearning, the leading provider of Learning Process Improvement solutions to sales and compliance-focused organizations, for the development of a blended learning solution for mobile corporate training. The solution provides a single source of reusable XML that can be effortlessly repurposed through online, classroom-based, and now, mobile learning applications.

The partnership focuses on delivering SCORM-based compliance and sales training to today’s most prevalent mobile platforms, providing the most comprehensive and cost-effective blended learning solution on the market today. Learning objects including text, images, audio and Flash can be pushed on-demand, based on individual user profiles, to any mobile device supporting these delivery formats. Supported platforms include Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Symbian.

Docebo, Free Open source E-Learning Suite is now available

NewsForce announcement today: Docebo is a multilanguage LMS (Learning Management Systems) used in Corporate Training Environment, University, Health and Government. Docebo is relased under GPL open Source license. Trough Docebo E-Learning system you can manage Online Courses watching multmedia training content (also SCORM [1.2] compliant), interact trough forum, chat, and other collaboration functions; evaluate trough online test, assessment and obtain students activity report. You can download Docebo software and manuals for free (www.docebo.org) , you can try it for free on www.mydocebo.com.

Docebo also provides a free SCORM tutorial and samples.