Content & SCORM - A New Approach in LE 8.2

By Mike Pietrantonio
Software Developer
Desire2Learn

Mike Pietrantonio
Desire2Learn Software Developer

With the release of SCORM 2004 3rd Edition, a new approach was taken when designing the new Content tool for the upcoming release of the Desire2Learn Learning Environment 8.2. The focus of this release was on tighter integration between SCORM and the Content tool, focusing on the interoperability issues resolved in SCORM 2004 3rd Edition and providing a more enhanced learner experience when navigating through SCORM content.

Key features you will find in the next generation of Content:

• SCORM 2004 3rd Edition Conformance
• Full Support of the SCORM Presentation Model
• Mixed Content in the Same Course
• Adaptive Navigation
• SCORM Reporting enhancements

In this release special attention was taken when designing the navigation controls that are utilized by SCORM. The approach was on making navigation controls intuitive to what a learner may expect while viewing content. Most learners would not understand the differences of certain sequencing behaviours such as exiting a SCO versus abandoning a SCO. For the learner to make the proper navigation choice, the options of abandoning and exiting a SCO are presented such that the learner will understand the impact of those behaviours.

To provide learners with a consistent experience when viewing SCORM content, full support of the SCORM Presentation Model was added. This allows the course developer to control things such as:

• The visibility of items through the isVisible attribute
• Disabling navigation devices through the <hideLMSUI> element
• Defining available navigation devices based on the attributes set in the <ControlMode> element
• Defining visibility of items based on evaluations of Pre-Condition Rules

The new Content tool offers the ability to run both SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 content packages in the same course offering without any configuration changes.

The goal of Adaptive Navigation is to never allow the learner to become stuck when navigating through a SCORM course. In the SCORM specification several scenarios exist where no valid topic can be found to deliver to the learner. In these situations it is important that the learner be given options on what they can and should do to continue with their course material. Often this means providing the learner a choice of valid topics that can be delivered.

SCORM Reporting has been updated to provide the same reports currently available with the added ability to export runtime data.

Desire2Learn continually strives to remain a leader in supporting industry standards such as SCORM to enable our clients to achieve their goals.

Many instructors have been introduced to Microsoft Learning Essentials as a great addition to the Office Suite, helping them to create lesson plans, tutorials and other instructional material. The question remains: How can we get our content into our online course? The best way is to package your content in a standard way such as SCORM. Normally this can be a daunting task for most instructors but what if you could do this in only a few simple steps? In the next edition of the Community Newsletter, Mike Pietrantonio shares how this is possible in "Three Clicks to SCORM."