It has been a long time since a new version of SCORM or AICC has been released. The reason for this is simple - those two standards are no longer under active development and have been overcome by events. The new specifications are xAPI (formerly known as TinCan) and CMI-5, based entirely on WebServices and replacing the aging AICC 4.0 standard. These new technologies are being enthusiastically embraced by all market segments. But, as with any new technology, there is plenty of confusion, growing pains and misconceptions. In this presentation, Chris Sawwa, director of eLearning at Meridian Knowledge Solutions,explains what works and what doesn’t and how things will change. He outlines the new standards and how they compare with SCORM, the dominant eLearning content interoperability standard for close to a decade. He explains what the new specs do, how to decide which one to use, and how to proceed from there.

1. Chris Sawwa
Meridian Knowledge Solutions
April 15, 2013

2. Topics
• How eLearning works today
• New eLearning functional models
• New specifications (SCORM replacements?)
• SCORM vs. xAPI (formerly TinCan) vs. CMI-5
• Planning and implementation considerations

3. How eLearning Works Today
Leading Interoperability Standards
– SCORM 1.2, 2004 Edition 2,3 and 4
– AICC 4.0

4. How eLearning Works Today
• SCORM model
Web Browser
Course
(running inside a
browser)
LMS
Java Script API Http

5. How eLearning Works Today
SCORM components
SCORM Package definition (Zip file)

6. Examples
Sample Information stored by SCORM - CMI* Data Model
– Learner information (name, ID)
– Initialization (mode, reporting)
– Success criteria (completion_threshold, scaled_passing_score…)
– Time limits (total_time, max_time_allowed…)
– Exit mode
– Score (raw, min, max, normalized)
– Preferences (language, audio_level, delivery_speed…)
– Interactions (score, weighting, response, correct_answer…)
– State (location, custom data)
– Objectives (ID, score, progress, completion…)
– …and others…

7. New eLearning Functional Models
Leading Interoperability Standards
– AICC CMI-5
– ADL xAPI (a.k.a Experience API or TinCan)
– ADL TLA (Training & Learning Architecture)

8. New eLearning Functional Models
Course / Game
Simulation
Mobile App
WebService/Http
WebService/Http
WebService/Http
LMS / LRS / Other

9. New eLearning Functional Models
Components needed for use w/out an LMS
(optional) Package Definition

10. New eLearning Functional Models
Components needed for for use with a LMS
(required) Package Definition

11. How eLearning Works Today
Leading Interoperability Standards
Projected availability: Now
– ADL SCORM
• Package Definition – IMS Content Packaging
• Launch Specification – SCORM
• Data Model – AICC/IEEE CMI
• Communication Specification – Native, JavaScript
(ECMA Script) API – requires content to run in a web
browser
Good for LMS useGood for LMS use

12. New eLearning Functional Models
Leading Interoperability Standards
Projected release 1.0 timeframe: April 31, 2013
– ADL xAPI (a.k.a Experience API or TinCan)
• Package Definition – N/A
• Launch Specification – N/A
• Data Model – Native, ActivityStream based statements
• Communication Specification – Native, REST
WebService API
SCORM Replacement? – NO, missing components. Good for non LMS useSCORM Replacement? – NO, missing components. Good for non LMS use

13. Examples
Sample xAPI statements
<Actor/Agent> <Verb> <Activity>
I did this
Chris attempted “War & Peace”
Chris completed “War & Peace”
Chris attempted “War & Peace Assessment”
Chris scored “10%” on “War & Peace Assessment”
Chris failed “War & Peace Assessment”
Lexi attempted “Winx Believix episode 1”
Lexi experienced “Winx Believix episode 1”
Max launched “Star Wars, Return of the Jedi”
Max experienced “Star Wars, Return of the Jedi”
…etc…

14. New eLearning Functional Models
Leading Interoperability Standards
Projected release 1.0 timeframe: ~1st
Q 2014
– AICC CMI-5
• Package Definition – CMI-5
• Launch Specification – CMI-5
• Data Model – xAPI statements (a.k.a. Experience API or TinCan)
• Communication Specification – xAPI (a.k.a. Experience API or
TinCan)
SCORM Replacement? – Yes, when specification is ready, for LMS & non LMS useSCORM Replacement? – Yes, when specification is ready, for LMS & non LMS use

15. New eLearning Functional Models
Leading Interoperability Standards
Projected release 1.0 timeframe: TBD
– ADL TLA (Training & Learning Architecture)
• Package Definition – N/A
• Launch Specification – N/A
• Data Model – xAPI statements
• Communication Specification – xAPI
• Other (e.g. Content Arbitration) - TBD
SCORM Replacement? – NO, this is a higher level frameworkSCORM Replacement? – NO, this is a higher level framework

16. Planning
Implementation Considerations
– 1st
level adopters - Software vendors
• What type of system/software
• What type of content
• Specification publish timeframe
• Complexity
– 2nd
level adopters – LMS, Authoring and other systems
users
• Software availability timeframe
• Content availability
• Risks

17. ADL – Advanced Distributed Learning
• SCORM, xAPI / Experience API (formerly Tin Can), TLA
AICC – Aviation Industry CBT Committee
• AICC, CMI (Computer Managed Instruction), CMI-5
IEEE LTSC/WG 11 – Learning Technology Sub-committee / Working Group 11
• CMI, CMI XML binding, ECMA Script API
IMS GLC – Instructional Management Systems Global Learning Consortium
• Common Cartridge, QTI, LTI, Content Packaging, Simple Sequencing
LETSI – Learning Education Training Systems Interoperability
• RTWS (Runtime Web Services)
SIF - Schools Interoperability Framework Association
• SIF Specification
eLearning Standards Organizations

18. ADL – Advanced Distributed Learning
www.adlnet.gov
www.adlnet.gov/tla/experience-api
www.adlnet.gov/tla
AICC – Aviation Industry CBT Committee
www.aicc.org
IEEE LTSC/WG 11 – IEEE Learning Technology
http://www.ieeeltsc.org:8080/Plone
LETSI – Learning Education Training Systems Interoperability
www.letsi.org
Additional Information

19. Chris Sawwa
www.meridianksi.
comcsawwa@meridianksi.com