SCORM is a powerful technology that allows course owners and administrators to collect meaningful learning data on learning performance. However, another compelling reason to build SCORM content is related to HOW the content is developed.
Since the SCORM standard was released in the early 2000s, a new market of content-authoring tools began evolving. Twenty years ago many online courses were developed in proprietary LMS tools or developed in HTML or Flash. These technologies had a high barrier of entry because they were difficult to use. Today, content authoring tools are lowering that barrier. These tools aim to make course design and development simpler and more accessible to the average instructional designer. Because course authoring tools are used to create eLearning content that needs to work with any LMS, they also create SCORM-complaint content.
SCORM-Compliant Course Authoring Tools
There are a lot of options when it comes to course authoring tools. I’ll highlight a few of the biggest (and best) options. Depending on the type of content you want to develop, different tools may be better suited to use. There are three main types of authoring:
- Slide-based Authoring – Based on a PowerPoint model where the learner moves from slide to slide
- Web-based Authoring – Based on a website model where the learner progresses through a website
- Video-based Authoring – Based on a model where videos are the primary content driver
Slide-based Authoring
- Flexible trigger scripting that supports highly customizable interaction design
- Part of the Articulate 360 suite of tools that includes Arituclate Rise (see below)
- Supports branching navigation paths for branching scenarios
- Design directly in Storyline or import PPT
- Trigger scripting but not as customizable or easy to use as Storyline
- Integrated with Adobe ecosystem of tools
- Slightly steeper learning curve than Storyline
- Design directly in Captivate or import PPT
Web-based Authoring
- The easiest tool to use/learn
- Build courses using content blocks
- Limited in design options when compared to Storyline/Captivate.
- Tradeoffs of design limitations and ease of use
- Can embed Storyline in Rise
Video-based Authoring
- Primarily for screen-recording
- Can do some simple editing and post-production like adding mouse cursor and music
- Incorporates some course-building tools like quiz building to make it a complete course option
In the next section, I’ll provide a couple of examples so you can see the difference between Storyline and Rise.
SCORM-Compliant Example
I like the combination of Articulate Rise and Storyline. They are part of the same software package/license and compliment each other well. Rise is quick and easy to use and Storyline is highly customizable and good for complex interactives.
Here’s a sample of Articulate Rise with embedded Articulate Storyline interactives.