SCORM IS BECOMING A WIDELY USED REQUIREMENT for e-learning projects. Still, there is a lot of confusion, especially within the instructional design community, regarding what it is and when it should be used. Simply put, SCORM, or the Sharable Content Object Reference Model provides a common technical framework for the development of reusable instructional objects for computer and Web-based learning.

SCORM is a product of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative. The Department of Defense (DoD) established the ADL initiative in 1997 with two goals in mind: to develop a strategy for using learning and information technologies to modernize DoD education and training and to promote cooperation between various parties interested in developing e-learning standardization. In early 1999, the first version of SCORM was developed as a way to integrate the work of various organizations in the field. The standards have been revised three times since then, with the most current version being SCORM 2004.

SCORM divides the world of learning technology into functional components. An “asset” is any electronic representation of media such as text, images, or sound, or any other piece of data a Web client can deliver. The most basic form of content is an asset. Assets include, but are not limited to, file types such as .doc, .wav, .jpeg, .fla, .mov, .gif, .avi and .html.

A sharable content object or “SCO” is a collection of one or more assets that make up a learning object. A SCO represents the lowest level of granularity of a piece of content about which a learning management system tracks detailed information. The only difference between a SCO and an asset is that the SCO communicates with a learning management system.

Before SCOs can be used, they must first be found. The key to finding SCOs is “metadata” or data about the SCO (data). Metadata is stored along with a SCO and can include the technical requirements, educational context, title, author, version number and creation date.

The process of “content aggregation” allows SCOs to be bundled together to create a learning experience. This bundle includes a manifest file that describes the contents of the package and the order in which the SCOs are to be delivered. It also tells the LMS where to find the SCOs themselves.

A learning management system or “LMS” is a system that stores and delivers content. An LMS can launch and communicate with SCOs, and can interpret instructions regarding the sequencing of SCOs.

There are numerous reasons why you should consider adopting SCORM. Do you have content that you want to reuse in other learning contexts? If you do, SCORM is for you. By dividing content into learning objects or SCOs, SCORM allows you to create a library of learning objects that you can reuse over and over in a variety of learning contexts.

Are you interested in content that tracks learner performance and progress and adapts to that performance and progress? If so, SCORM can help make this happen. SCORM’s “run time environment” provides a standardized manner for exchange of information between the learner and the LMS, regardless of what tools are used to develop content and tracks learner performance.

Are you planning to use an LMS? If so, the use of SCORM will help you to maximize the use of the features of your LMS.

Still wondering if SCORM makes sense for you? Here are some reasons why SCORM might not be ideal for your environment.

• Your content only has a limited shelf-life and won't be reused.
• Your content is simple, static, hyperlinked content with no complex behaviors such as remediation.
• You never plan to use an LMS to deliver and track content.

If any of these statements is true then the cost of the work needed to get your content ready for SCORM probably far outweigh the benefits of using SCORM.

Advanced Distributed Learning: A collaborative effort between government, industry and academia to establish a new distributed learning environment that permits the interoperability of learning tools and course content on a global scale.
Academic Co-Lab: The ADL academic link to test, evaluate and demonstrate ADL-compliant tools and technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
Carnegie Mellon's Learning Systems Architecture Laboratory: Conducts research focused on the design and creation of Internet-based technologies for education and training.

Lisa Prouty Corwin ，Prouty Corwin, L. (2004). SCORM: What it is and when it is used. ，In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology.