1. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
LMS and Content ConversionLMS and Content Conversion
Tools for Multiple StandardsTools for Multiple Standards
Mike Rustici
Rustici Software, LLC
www.scorm.com
info@scorm.com
+1-866-49-SCORM

2. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Who We AreWho We Are
• Software development company
• Founded by veterans of the e-learning
industry
• Unique blend of both content and LMS
development experience
• Exclusively focused on SCORM and other
learning standards
• Active members of the ADL community
• Successfully worked with dozens of

3. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Our ServicesOur Services
• LMS Implementation
• Content Conversion
• Tool Development
• Training
• Consulting
• Dispute Resolution / Mediation

4. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Our Philosophy for ConversionOur Philosophy for Conversion
• Abstract complexities
• Consolidate standards support using a
single code base
• Constantly improve
• Bend, but don’t break to accommodate
varying interpretations
• Provide extensibility to accommodate
outliers

5. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Abstract ComplexitiesPhilosophy – Abstract Complexities
• Clients should not have to learn intricate
details of standards
• We have a proprietary method for
interacting with SCORM and other
learning standards that empowers the
content author / LMS developer by
abstracting the complexities of learning
standards

6. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Abstract ComplexitiesPhilosophy – Abstract Complexities
• Work in concepts familiar to learning
developers
• Give a basic overview and provide a black
box to integrate with
• Provide source code, best practice
examples and training

7. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Consolidate StandardsPhilosophy – Consolidate Standards
Support Using a Single Code BaseSupport Using a Single Code Base
• Program against real world concepts that
can easily be translated to standards
• Use terms and concepts familiar to e-
learning developers
• Data models are close enough to enable
translation

8. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Constantly ImprovePhilosophy – Constantly Improve
• Create solutions that go beyond the
standards in an effort to overcome our
clients’ problems
• Integrate solutions to common problems
back into common code base
• Leverage experience from all of our
clients
• Tools have been proven to be highly
reliable and have been certified in multiple
applications

9. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Bend, But Don’t Break toPhilosophy – Bend, But Don’t Break to
Accommodate Varying InterpretationsAccommodate Varying Interpretations
• The standards are an excellent base from
which to bring together content and
learning management systems. They do
not, however, solve every problem
• Every vendor implements pieces of the
standards differently
• Standards cannot address every situation
• Don’t bicker, solve the problem
• Resolving compatibility issues is
important. Products include significant
logging and debugging capabilities

10. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Philosophy – Provide Extensibility toPhilosophy – Provide Extensibility to
Accommodate OutliersAccommodate Outliers
• Standards are great, but companies still
need to differentiate themselves
• Integration through high-level learning
concepts, allows easy support for new or
proprietary standards

11. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Rustici Software’s ProductsRustici Software’s Products
• We offer two products that embody these
philosophies
• Content – SCORM Driver (formerly RSECA)
• LMS – SCORM Engine (formerly SCORM
Content Player or SCP)
• Benefits of using these products include:
• Faster time to market
• Higher quality end product
• Easier upgrades

12. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM DriverSCORM Driver
• Rapidly convert existing content
• After performing a single conversion,
content will conform to SCORM 1.1,
SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 and AICC
simultaneously
• Easy to integrate using intuitive
JavaScript functions
• No knowledge of the underlying standards
needed

13. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – AbstractSCORM Driver – Abstract
ComplexitiesComplexities
• SCORM Driver interface is simple
JavaScript functions
• Complexities are handled internally
• Developer only needs to focus on
functionality, not implementation
• Function Examples – “GetBookmark”,
“SetScore”, “SetPassed”,
“SetReachedEnd”, “GetStudentName”

14. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – AbstractSCORM Driver – Abstract
ComplexitiesComplexities
Start / Finish functions
Start ()
Finish ()
Suspend ()
TimeOut ()
Unload ()
SetReachedEnd ()
ConcedeControl()
Storing and Retrieving General Data
GetStudentID ()
GetStudentName ()
SetBookmark (strBookmark)
GetBookmark ()
SetDataChunk (strData)
GetDataChunk ()
GetLaunchData ()
WriteComment (strComment)
GetComments ()
GetLMSComments ()
Time Tracking
GetPreviouslyAccumulatedTime ()
GetSessionAccumulatedTime ()
SetSessionTime (intMilliseconds)
PauseTimeTracking ()
ResumeTimeTracking ()
GetMaxTimeAllowed ()
DisplayMessageOnTimeout ()
ExitOnTimeout ()
Testing
GetPassingScore ()
SetScore (intScore, intMaxScore, intMinScore)
GetScore ()
RecordMultipleChoiceInteraction (strID, strResponse,
blnCorrect, strCorrectResponse)
Utilities
IsLoaded ()
WriteToDebug (strInfo)
ShowDebugWindow ()
GetLastError ()
GetLastErrorDesc ()
CommitData ()
State Functions
GetStatus ()
SetPassed ()
SetFailed ()
ResetStatus ()
GetEntryMode ()
GetLessonMode ()
GetTakingForCredit ()
Objectives
SetObjectiveStatus (strObjectiveID, Lesson_Status)
GetObjectiveStatus (strObjectiveID)
SetObjectiveScore (strObjectiveID, intScore,
intMaxScore, intMinScore)
GetObjectiveScore (strObjectiveID)
Preferences
SetAudioPreference (PlayPreference,
intPercentOfMaxVolume)
GetAudioPlayPreference ()
GetAudioVolumePreference ()
SetLanguagePreference (strLanguage)
GetLanguagePreference ()
SetSpeedPreference (intPercentOfMax)
GetSpeedPreference ()
SetTextPreference (intPreference)
GetTextPreference ()

15. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – ConsolidateSCORM Driver – Consolidate
Standards Support Using a SingleStandards Support Using a Single
Code BaseCode Base
• Support multiple standards after
performing a single conversion

16. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – Constantly ImproveSCORM Driver – Constantly Improve
• Integrate support for new interpretations
into the common code base
• Monitor community and actual practice for
misinterpretations
• Customers leverage the experience of a
much wider community dramatically
improving compatibility

17. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – Bend, But Don’tSCORM Driver – Bend, But Don’t
Break to Accommodate VaryingBreak to Accommodate Varying
InterpretationsInterpretations
• Make every effort possible to accommodate
varying interpretations and implementations
• Some examples
• Interaction Result Formatting
• Concede Control
• Forced Commits
• Exit types – default to “suspend”, avoid “logout”
• Flexibility in parsing AICC messages
• Magic Time Interval
• Robust debugging and logging functionality

18. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – Provide ExtensibilitySCORM Driver – Provide Extensibility
to Accommodate Outliersto Accommodate Outliers
• Our flexible architecture allows new or
proprietary standards to be integrated on
demand

19. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – Case Study:SCORM Driver – Case Study:
RedHawkRedHawk
• In response to customer demand for
SCORM conformance, RedHawk
used the SCORM Driver to quickly
convert their existing library.
• As sales increased, RedHawk
experienced a greater demand for
AICC conformance and used a
SCORM Driver extension to achieve
AICC conformance with no additional
coding.
• One of RedHawk’s clients uses a
proprietary LMS which requires
custom integration. Rustici Software
developed a new SCORM Driver
extension to accommodate the client
without requiring any changes to
RedHawk’s content.
RedHawk (www.ethicscoach.com)
RedHawk offers complete, one-stop ethics
and compliance programs. They deliver code
of conduct development, both online and
instructor-led courses, Board of Director
resources, consulting and a full spectrum of
coaching and training materials delivered via
poster, newsletter, and internet streaming
technology. Their clients include Sony,
Merck, Sara Lee, Halliburton and Kellogg.

20. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Driver – Case Study:SCORM Driver – Case Study:
ArticulateArticulate
• Articulate Presenter and Quizmaker are
industry leading tools for rapid e-learning
development
• Articulate’s products already output
SCORM and AICC conformant content,
however they wanted to ensure that their
products were the absolute best of breed
• Articulate integrated the SCORM Driver
into its products to unify its standards
code and to ensure the broadest
possible compatibility for the thousands
of users of its products
Articulate (www.articulateglobal.com)
With customers in more than 40 countries,
Articulate® is the world leader in rapid e-
learning and communications. Articulate is
dedicated to providing powerful, intuitive
technologies that enable organizations to
train and communicate rapidly, widely and
effectively with everyone involved in success.
That's what Articulate is all about -- putting
the power of advanced technology for
knowledge transfer in the hands of everyone
with the knowledge and need to
communicate. Their goal is to ensure that you
can train, motivate, inform and persuade
today the people who will move your
company forward.

21. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Rustici Software’s SCORM EngineRustici Software’s SCORM Engine
• Rapidly converting existing LMS’s
• Essentially a plug-in component for LMS
products
• LMS will be able to deliver SCORM 1.1,
SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 and AICC
content
• Easy to integrate using a discrete set of
integration points

22. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – AbstractSCORM Engine – Abstract
ComplexitiesComplexities
• The SCORM Engine is “LMS-agnostic”
• A well defined set of integration points
based on common learning terms
facilitates integration
• Some integration points include
• “Course” association
• “Assignment” association
• Progress rollup

23. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – ConsolidateSCORM Engine – Consolidate
Standards Support Using a SingleStandards Support Using a Single
Code BaseCode Base
• Some integration work and code is required
• This integration is completely separated from core
player logic to facilitate updates
• The existing LMS only interacts with a well-defined
API
• Completely skin-able to seamlessly blend with
existing products

24. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Constantly ImproveSCORM Engine – Constantly Improve
• Includes solutions to many common problems
• Multi-lingual / multi-cultural capabilities
• Two solutions to the cross domain scripting problem:
• Document.domain manipulation
• Run-time service on the content server
• Other features:
• Completely client-side sequencing engine
• Non-blocking tunable server communications
• Robust sequencing look-ahead algorithms
• Intelligent blocked state error messages
• Several deployment configurations
• Optimized support for major databases
• Many, many more features

25. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’tSCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t
Break to Accommodate VaryingBreak to Accommodate Varying
InterpretationsInterpretations
• Many common compatibility issues
already solved
• Debugging features include:
• API call logs
• Sequencing function trace logs
• Detailed pseudo-code trace logs
• Imperfect manifest warnings

26. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’tSCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t
Break to Accommodate VaryingBreak to Accommodate Varying
InterpretationsInterpretations
• Numerous course-level configuration settings to deal
with less than perfect content and to optimize content
delivery
• Window sizing
• Delivery method – frameset vs. new window
• Control availability
• Rudimentary (as opposed to “simple”) sequencing for 1.2
• Parameters can be set through proprietary metadata
extensions
• When possible, settings are based on emerging
standards
• Gracefully handles slightly imperfect manifests
• Allows for the importation of individual objects to

27. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’tSCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t
Break to Accommodate VaryingBreak to Accommodate Varying
InterpretationsInterpretations

28. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Provide ExtensibilitySCORM Engine – Provide Extensibility
to Accommodate Outliersto Accommodate Outliers
• Extensibility is harder to quantify
• Able to support a very wide variety of LMS
features, requirements and
implementation styles
• Everything that is not core functionality is
implemented in the integration layer
• Integration layer methods all accept
custom configuration information allowing
their implementation to be based on
whichever factors the LMS developers
deem necessary.

29. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Case Study :SCORM Engine – Case Study :
HealthStreamHealthStream
• Enhanced their HLC LMS to support
SCORM 1.2
• LMS certified by ADL
• ADL auditor remarked it was their
smoothest certification ever
• Passed certification on first attempt.
• LMS supports over 1.1 million users
and 40,000 daily course completions
• About to release update to support
2004
• Simple conversion using SCORM
Engine updates provided by Rustici
Software
• Many return engagements to convert
content libraries
• Converted more than 650 courses in
under 2 months for Tenet Hospitals
after their failed efforts at supporting
SCORM
Healthstream (www.healthstream.com)
HealthStream, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSTM), based in
Nashville, TN, is the leading provider of e-learning
solutions to the healthcare industry.
Healthcare organizations use HealthStream's e-
learning solutions to improve learning, increase
compliance, and enhance organizational effectiveness
for nurses, technicians, staff workers, physicians, and
all clinical and non-clinical healthcare employees
throughout the enterprise. Pharmaceutical and medical
device companies use HealthStream's e-learning
solutions to launch educational programs and reach
healthcare professionals. Content providers use
HealthStream's e-learning solutions to expand the
reach of their programs worldwide.

30. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Case Study :SCORM Engine – Case Study :
HealthStreamHealthStream
• HealthStream takes full advantage of the
power of the SCORM Engine
• Cross domain solutions allow for highly efficient
content delivery over the Akamai network
• Custom configuration information allows the HLC
to scale horizontally across multiple web farms
database servers in geographically dispersed data
centers
• Custom configuration allows the HLC to provide
annotations on internally produced SCORM

31. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Case Study:SCORM Engine – Case Study:
United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
• Recognized the value of a solution pre-
built by an experienced vendor
• Had to overcome numerous challenges:
• Worldwide content delivery network
• Provide disconnected access to Marines
on the battle field
• Content from numerous vendors
• Limited bandwidth over satellite
connections
• Adhere to DODI 1322.xx
• SCORM Engine met all of the demanding
requirements out of the box
• Provided the most cost-effective solution
with the least risk
• So impressed with the product that
another license was procured for the
entire Department of the Navy
United States Marine Corps
The Marine Corps College of Continuing Education
(CCE) provides a variety of Distance Education and
Training opportunities for all Marines. Their online
learning management system, MarineNet, provides
both military and civilian education to all Marines
wherever they are stationed, while their worldwide
seminar program supports the Officer Professional
Military Education (PME) distance education programs
(DEP).

32. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Case Study:SCORM Engine – Case Study:
SDA StudioSDA Studio
SDA Studio (www.sdakft.hu)
SDA Studio is based in Budapest, Hungry. With
over 70% of the market share, their
Neptun.NET platform is the leading LMS in that
country.
• Market demand in Eastern Europe demanded
SCORM conformance
• Working remotely across time-zones, languages
and cultures we fully integrated the SCORM
Engine in a matter of a couple weeks
• Fully internationalized the SCORM Engine to
work in Hungry and another other cultures

33. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
SCORM Engine – Case Study:SCORM Engine – Case Study:
SDA StudioSDA Studio

34. Learning. Standards.
Systems.
www.scorm.com
Questions?Questions?
Mike Rustici
Rustici Software, LLC
www.scorm.com
info@scorm.com
+1-866-49-SCORM