SCORM

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of standards and specifications for web-based e-learning. It defines communications between client side content and a host system called the run-time environment (commonly a function of a learning management system).
SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file.
SCORM is a specification of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, which comes out of the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense.
SCORM 2004 introduces a complex idea called sequencing, which is a set of rules that specifies the order in which a learner may experience content objects. In simple terms, they constrain a learner to a fixed set of paths through the training material, permit the learner to "bookmark" their progress when taking breaks, and assure the acceptability of test scores achieved by the learner. The standard uses XML, and it is based on the results of work done by AICC, IMS Global, IEEE, and Ariadne.

Compliance

A testing initiative was started in 1996. In December 2003, the US Department of Defense mandated that all its e-learning purchases must comply with SCORM standards. By August 2005, ADL had validated 148 SCORM-compliant products.

SCORM versions

• SCORM 1.1

SCORM 1.1 is the first production version. It used a Course Structure Format XML file based on the AICC specifications to describe content structure, but lacked a robust packaging manifest and support for metadata.
Quickly abandoned in favor of SCORM 1.2.

• SCORM 1.2

This was the first version that was widely used. It is still widely used and is supported by most Learning Management Systems today.

• SCORM 2004

This is the current version. It is based on new standards for API and content object-to-runtime environment communication, with many ambiguities of previous versions resolved. Includes ability to specify adaptive sequencing of activities that use the content objects. Includes ability to share and use information about success status for multiple learning objectives or competencies across content objects and across courses for the same learner within the same learning management system. A more robust test suite helps ensure good interoperability.

• SCORM 2004 editions

3rd Edition (October 2006) — clarification of various conformance requirements and of the interaction between content objects and the runtime environment for sequencing; some new conformance requirements to improve interoperability.
4th Edition Released (March 31, 2009) — more stringent interoperability requirements, more flexible data persistence.

• SCORM 2004 specification books

Overview — introduces SCORM and describes how the other books relate
Content Aggregation Model — describes packaging of content and learning object
Run-Time Environment — describes runtime API and data model used for communication between content objects and learning management systems
Sequencing and Navigation — describes how sequencing between learning activities is defined and interpreted
Compliance Requirements — detailed list of the conformance requirements that are verified by the ADL SCORM conformance test suite.