SCORM file: What it is and how to create one

This comprehensive guide will explore everything there is to know about SCORM files and packaging. You’ll learn the difference between key terms like SCORM compliant and SCORM certified, compatibility with different elearning software and Learning Management Systems (LMS), how to create SCORM courses, and the benefits.

Let’s take it from the beginning.

What is SCORM?

SCORM stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model. It’s a collection of technical standards for elearning courses and learning management systems that support it, ensuring compatibility across platforms. These technical specifications help build a file similar to a zipped file with multiple files inside, written in a specific language that a scorm-compliant LMS understands.

For instance, if a company purchases a compliance course by a freelance instructional designer, the course will probably come in the SCORM format. The elearning admin will then be able to upload the file to the learning management system, which will work smoothly.

Having a set of standards allows for communication between systems, and the same course should work across most LMSs without a problem. This way, a company can change LMS but keep their course material and easily migrate their existing content to the new platform.

💡SCORM standards facilitate the communication between elearning authoring tools and Learning Management Systems.

What is a SCORM file?

It’s a type of file used in online learning to make courses work in different LMSs. It’s like a zip folder with all the elements of your online course (videos, quizzes, text) packed together and rules for how the course should communicate with the LMS, like tracking progress, quiz scores, and completion status.

Below, you’ll find more SCORM-related terms you need to know.

SCORM package structure and content

A SCORM package is essentially a zipped file that encapsulates all the necessary components of an eLearning course. At the heart of this package is the manifest file, which outlines the course structure and content.

This file acts as a roadmap, guiding the LMS on how to import and launch the course. Alongside the imsmanifest.xml file, the package includes a content folder that houses the actual course materials, such as images and multimedia elements.

Its self-contained nature ensures that it can be easily imported and launched in any SCORM conformant LMS, providing a seamless learning experience.

SCORM compliance

When an LMS is SCORM compliant, it can read and deliver the course content inside a SCORM package. There are different levels of compliance, as some LMSs can only read and deliver the course but do not track attendance and scores or save the learner’s progress.

SCORM certified

Not to be confused with compliance. A SCORM-certified course has passed and was certified by ADL, the organization behind the SCORM standard.

What are the benefits of SCORM?

The SCORM format has many advantages, which is why SCORM governs the elearning industry.

Here are the most important benefits of SCORM in elearning:

LMS compatibility (interoperability)

Most LMSs are partially or fully SCORM compliant. This makes it easier to create elearning content or an entire course that can be used across various systems.

Progress tracking

It allows you to track the learner’s progress in a standardized way and feeds it back to the LMS for reporting.

Interactive elements

SCORM allows you to add interactive content like assessments and animations to your course, making it more engaging and effective.

Modular & customizable

SCORM is highly customizable and can be designed to offer modular courses as well. You can build a complete interactive course or microlearning activities using only SCORM lessons.

Portable courses

This is one of the most significant advantages. As a widely recognized and used standard, SCORM allows the transfer of online learning content when migrating to a new LMS.

Persistency (progress saving)

The way SCORM is built allows the learner to continue their learning journey where they left off. Not all LMSs support persistency, but if they do, it is a powerful advantage for the learning experience.

What is tracked in a SCORM?

• The final score of the course
• Total time spent
• Where learners left off in a course so that they can resume
• Overall status, such as pass, fail, complete or incomplete

LearnWorlds is a scorm-compliant learning management system able to track all of the above. You can get a 30-day trial and try it yourself.

How does SCORM work?

All SCORM formats work based on two principles: content packaging and data exchange.

• Content packaging is how content should be delivered. Inside the SCORM package is a file called “imsmanifest,” which dictates how to import and launch the content to the LMS. It’s an xml file that describes the hierarchical structure of the contents.
  
• Data exchange, or run-time communication, dictates the communication between the online learning content and LMS. This two-way communication channel passes information between the SCORM course and the LMS.For example, the SCORM course might be personalized and request the learner’s name from the LMS, or the LMS requires the final score or a pass/fail status to report on the learner’s progress.

SCORM architecture and communication

The architecture of SCORM is built on a client-server model, where the eLearning content (client) interacts with the LMS (server) through a set of predefined APIs. This interaction is facilitated by the SCORM API, which allows the content to send data to the LMS, such as progress and scores, and receive data from the LMS, such as learner information and course settings.

This two-way communication is crucial for tracking learner activity and ensuring a cohesive learning experience. Elearning content dynamically interacts with the LMS when leveraging the SCORM API, to provide real-time updates and personalized learning paths.

SCORM versions

The most commonly available and supported versions in the market right now are:

There are other elearning standards like xAPI (Tin Can), cmi5, and AICC for more advanced capabilities. Unfortunately, both are more demanding, and few LMSs support these formats, usually at an additional cost.

💁Compare SCORM 1.2 vs. SCORM 2004
💁Compare SCORM Vs. xAPI

How can I create a SCORM file? An easy-to-follow example

Creating a SCORM file—and therefore a SCORM compliant course— is now easier than ever.

Elearning software products make it incredibly easy to create the file quickly and export learning material.

Step one: First, choose one of these three types of tools:

• Standalone software
• Cloud software
• PowerPoint add-ons

💁Take a look and choose the best scorm compliant authoring tool for your needs.

Step two: Create your content, like ebooks (limited tracking capability), videos, podcasts (embedded), and quizzes.

Step three: Go to the export or publish settings and choose SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004 as the format. SCORM may not support simulations. In this case, you need to use an export with Tin Can API that supports more advanced modules.

Step four: Set completion criteria. That’s totally up to you. It can be passing a quiz or simply viewing all course videos.

Step five: Export the elearning course, and the tool will generate a SCORM ready for upload to an LMS. Congrats, your scorm course is ready.

Creating a SCORM course on Articulate Storyline SCORM

SCORM compliance testing: tools and methods

How can you ensure your SCORM packages meet standards and work well with your LMS? Let’s go over some popular tools and methods.

Here’s how to perform your scorm conformance check:

• Validate the SCORM structure to ensure your SCORM manifest file (imsmanifest.xml) is correctly formatted and includes all required metadata.
• Check if learner progress, quiz scores, and completion status are accurately recorded in the LMS.
• Test on multiple browsers and devices to verify your SCORM course functions smoothly.
• Use debugging tools to identify communication errors between the course and the LMS.
• Check if the bookmarking functionality works well to ensure learners can leave the course and resume from where they left off without losing progress.

How can I effectively use SCORM in my elearning project?

So, what should a SCORM compliant ourse look like? Keep the following seven tips in mind to create courses that engage learners and will help them meet the course’s learning objectives.

1. Choose your SCORM version

Choose SCORM 1.2 for basic tracking and broad compatibility or SCORM 2004 (4th Edition) for detailed tracking and sequencing.

2. Choose your authoring tool

Choose a scorm compliant authoring tool like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, iSpring, or Lectora to simplify SCORM packaging.

3. Create engaging and interactive content

Add quizzes, simulations, and interactive elements to improve learner engagement.

4. Optimize for better performance

By compressing media files (videos, images) to reduce loading times and using responsive design to ensure the content plays well on mobile devices.

5. Implement tracking and reporting

Set clear completion criteria (e.g., finishing a video, passing a quiz) and use SCORM’s bookmarking feature so learners can resume where they left off.

6. Test before deploying the course

Use SCORM Cloud or your LMS’s test mode to ensure compatibility.

7. Maintain accessibility and compliance

Follow WCAG guidelines for accessibility and use captions, transcripts, and alt text to support all learners.

How to add SCORM to LearnWorlds

To import a SCORM to LearnWorlds, you need to create a SCORM learning activity and upload the file. Here is the step-by-step process:

Create a SCORM activity:

1. Go to your course’s Contents → Course outline.
2. Click on Add activity under a course section.
3. Choose the SCORM/HTML5 Package activity under Multimedia.
4. Give a title to your activity and click Save or Save and Edit to make changes immediately.

Upload your SCORMs:

1. While hovering over the created SCORM/HTML5 learning activity, click on Settings (if you have clicked on Save and Edit in the activity creation process, skip this step).
2. Upload your SCORM/HTML5 Package. The supported file types for our platform are:
   • SCORM 1.2
   • SCORM 2004 3rd & 4th Editions
   • Captivate CAM 1.3 zip package
   • HTML5
3. Once your file has been uploaded, two buttons below will appear to Use SCORM Completion Rules to track if this learning unit is completed based on the rules you have included in the file or enable the Student time on an activity to track the total time your users spend in your SCORM learning activity.

Example of SCORM on LearnWorlds

Here is an example of how SCORM content will play inside the LearnWorlds course player. On the left is the standard player navigation. On the right, a SCORM course is loaded.

Below is an example from Sendinblue Academy’s Certification for Marketing Automation, using multiple SCORM modules to deliver their online training.

The future of online learning

Most elearning professionals use SCORM, as it is supported by most LMSs and allows you to build advanced learning activities. At the same time, LMS vendors have evolved, and many offer their own authoring tools or support newer standards, such as AICC or TinCan API.

There are many advantages to building a course inside your LMS. For example, if your course is video-based, you might not even need a SCORM. The downside of using the authoring capabilities of your LMS is that you may have trouble migrating the content to another LMS in the future.

This is why it’s essential to review your requirements and the capabilities of the LMS before choosing how to create your course.

Are you looking for a modern, SCORM-compliant LMS? LearnWorlds can help you take the learning experience and learner management to the next level. Try LearnWorlds with a 30-day trial.

Androniki Koumadoraki

Androniki is a Content Writer at LearnWorlds sharing Instructional Design and marketing tips. With solid experience in B2B writing and technical translation, she is passionate about learning and spreading knowledge. She is also an aspiring yogi, a book nerd, and a talented transponster.