Firstly, SCORM is an acronym for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. It defines a Web-based learning Content Aggregation Model (CAM) and a Run-Time Environment (RTE). It specifies how learning objects, referred to as Shareable Content Objects (SCOs) in SCORM, can interact with each other and how they need to be sequenced and navigated.

The SCORM is actually a collection of specifications and standards which were put together from many sources to provide a comprehensive solution for e-learning that needs to support interoperability, accessibility and reuse of Web-based learning content.

Development of SCORM

SCORM was developed by ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning) and is based on work done by the Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC), the IMS Global Learning Consortium, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Alliance for Remote Instructional Authoring and Distributed Networks for Europe (ARIADNE), amongst others.

ADL put together a unified “reference model” of standards, specifications, and guidelines from all these organisations to meet the Department of Defence’s (DoD) requirements for Web-based learning content.

The purpose of SCORM

The purpose of SCORM is to create a standard for Web-based learning content so that e-learning content can be reused in various implementations and is easily accessible and track-able. Another very important part is to make sure that e-learning content is interoperable, which basically means that content from various vendors should be able communicate with each other through a common interface such as SCORM and be able to be used together to provide a more robust learning solution.

What does SCORM conformance mean?

When an LMS (Learner Management System) or e-learning content is SCORM conformant, it means that it meets the requirements listed in the SCORM Conformance Requirements. This implies that all SCORM conformant content must be able to run on any SCORM conformant LMS for example.

Essentially, SCORM conformant means that an author or vendor has tested its content or LMS using the Conformance Test Suite software developed by ADL or has been certified as SCORM conformant by a third party at a certified ADL Testing Centre.

For more information, please visit http://www.adlnet.gov