Research Summary

Overview

The SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is a collection and harmonization of specifications and standards that defines the interrelationship of content objects, data models and protocols such that objects are sharable across systems that conform to the same model. This specification promotes reusability and interoperability of learning content across Learning Management Systems (LMSs). The SCORM has releases dating back to 2000 with SCORM 1.0. SCORM 1.2, released in 2001 is the final version of SCORM before the integration of sequencing. Beginning in 2004, SCORM began to version with different editions of SCORM 2004. The most recent release (2009) is SCORM 2004 4th Edition. ADL supplies resources for SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 3rd Edition, and SCORM 2004 4th Edition. Developers that are implementing other versions are encouraged to modify their work to be in accordance with one of these three specifications. ADL recommends use of SCORM 2004 4th Edition above all others, though, as it has over ten years of community feedback integrated into its design.

Make sure to check out the “Current Projects” tab for specific versions of SCORM and the “Learn More” tab for tools, documents, videos, and other downloads.

ADL Guidelines for Creating Reusable Content with SCORM 2004

The ADL SCORM Users Guides supplement the SCORM 2004 documentation suite; MIL-PRF-29612B Performance Specification, Training Data Products; and 1322.26 Development, Management, and Delivery of Distributed Learning. They provide guidance for instructional designers and programmers in implementing SCORM 2004-conformant content. These documents represent a major update to the ADL Guidelines for Creating Reusable Content with SCORM 2004 (For Public Comment). That document was revised through the funding of the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), a program element under the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), and through the efforts of Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI). The two documents – SCORM Users Guide for Instructional Designers and SCORM Users Guide for Programmers – were released in January 2012.

Reload

The ADL SCORM 2004 RELOAD Editor Version 1.1 is a content package and metadata editor. With RELOAD Editor, you can create, import, edit, and export SCORM-conformant content packages.
This version of RELOAD supports SCORM Version 1.2 and SCORM 2004 3rd and 4th Edition content packages. RELOAD Editor updates include:

• Integration of the SCORM Learner Assessment Generator (SLAG): You can add a SLAG exam by right clicking the resources node and by choosing “Add Quiz”.
• Support for Healthcare LOM metadata
• Human-readable manifest files
• Forcing the “.zip” file extension when zipping a content package
• Support for additional character encodings

Please see the “Learn More” tab for all of the Reload downloads.

Acquisition

ADL has developed a course which explains special considerations about acquiring or procuring distributed learning systems and content that must conform with SCORM and other U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. It is targeted at acquisition and procurement personnel, program and project managers. Topics include: Acquisition Planning; The Components of SCORM; SCORM Conformance; Instructional Systems Design and SCORM; and Project Management. There are two versions of this course – an Interactive version and a traditional Slide presentation

Certification

Certification is a stamp-of-approval for Learning Management Systems and learning content and is the highest level of conformance achievable. Please see the SCORM Certification area for more details.

SCORM Content Vulnerability

Several blogs, forums, and Web sites recently highlighted a SCORM content vulnerability. The vulnerability they highlight is not new, nor did it originate with SCORM. It exists within the SCORM Run-Time API, which is based on an IEEE Standard(1). Some version of an ECMAScript based API has existed in all versions of SCORM since SCORM 1.2 was released in 2001. Given the flexibility of ECMAScript within the browser environment, this vulnerability allows technologically advanced users to potentially interfere with learner tracking data communicated from content by directly overriding and/or setting various SCORM data model elements.

ADL contacted the IEEE LTSC about this issue to discuss what actions can be taken to update the current standard or develop a complementary standard that would better enforce data integrity for delivered content. Several SCORM LMS vendors are investigating ways to prevent or detect individuals who leverage this vulnerability. Please contact your vendor directly to determine the actions they are taking.

Like online banking or any other online activity that you want to be secure, you can increase security in your SCORM content, but there is no way to guarantee security. Un-proctored online assessments should be considered a form of “open-book exams” since learners may have technical manuals, books, job aids, Google, or other resources in front of them while they are taking tests.

Content developers who are concerned about SCORM data integrity can take some actions to mitigate this vulnerability. ADL provides examples these actions of Securing Assessments and Vulnerability Workarounds.

Cross-Domain Issues

When a launched SCO and its LMS-provided API Instance are hosted on different domains, browser security restrictions may prevent API calls, thus prohibiting communication. Through collaboration with several members of the ADL Community and internal prototyping efforts, the ADL Technical Team has tested several different solutions to this problem and is providing them to the ADL Community at large. This paper details the Cross-Domain Issue and presents several known and tested solutions.