10 minute talk given to the Central Florida ASTD chapter 2/22/2014

1. Learning Management
Systems and e-Learning
Standards

2. LMS and e-Learning Standards
Topics
• What really makes up an LMS?
– ASTD definition of LMS
– Technologies used in an LMS
• Demonstrations of LMSs
– GGLMS
– ILIAS
– SCORM Cloud
• E-Learning Standards in your LMS
– AICC, SCORM, xAPI (TinCan)
– Development and testing
– Deploying content to learners
• Purchse and Deployment Models
– Cloud-based (SaaS), Open Source, Commercial (paid/proprietory)

3. What really makes up an LMS?
LMS (learning management system): Software that
automates the administration of training. The LMS registers
users, tracks courses in a catalog, records data from learners;
and provides reports to management. An LMS is typically
designed to handle courses by multiple publishers and
providers. It usually doesn't include its own authoring
capabilities; instead, it focuses on managing courses created
by a variety of other sources. - ASTD
• Database - Where the data goes.
• Server -Where the courses live and the application runs
from.
• Application / programming language - Produces the features
and functions of the LMS.
• e-Learning Standard(s) - communication bridge between the
course and the database.
• An LMS is basically a software system that stores web files
and tracks learner progress, though those files, in a
database.

4. What really makes up an LMS?
• All LMSs have:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Library of courses
Learners
Status reports
A way to assign learners to a course
A way to create a learner profile
A way to upload and / or create a course

5. Demonstration of LMSs
GGLMS
ILIAS
SCORM
Cloud
• URL: docs.gglms.com
• Type: Closed source
• Developer: JCA Solutions
• URL: www.ilias.de
• Type: Open source
• Developer: ILIAS open source eLearning Society
• URL: cloud.scorm.com
• Type: Closed source
• Rustici Software

6. E-Learning Standards in Your LMS
AICC
SCORM 1.2 & 2004
xAPI / TinCan / AICC CMI-5

7. E-Learning Standards in Your LMS
• Development and testing
– Ask for the LMS content integration guide it should have
standards supported and versions, size limits, media
types supported, suggested dev tools, and
import/export settings
– Test on SCORM Cloud
– Test on the target LMS. Look for functional and
data/communication issues
• Deploying Content to Learners
– Try to get a student account on the LMS for testing.
– Perform a small group test with learners before taking a
course live.
– Test with different browsers and OS that learners may
use.
– Check to see that all learner systems produce the same
course reports in the LMS. Then make the course live.

8. Purchase and Deployment Models
Cloud-Based • Define: Not on your server.
Open
Source
• Define: On your server, no
cost for the software
Commercial
• Define: On your server, the
software cost you money

9. Purchase and Deployment Models
Cloud-Based
• Pros: Nothing to install, quick sign
up, server and software maintenance not
your problem.
Open
Source
• Pros: You can modify the code, no cost to
download and install, unlimited site
installs, backed by the community
Commercial
• Pros: Data is on your server, software
maintenance not your problem, dedicated
support staff, usually more “enterprise”
than other options

10. Purchase and Deployment Models
Cloud-Based
• Cons: It’s not yours, your data is in the
“cloud”, you can’t update the
software, high usage can generate high
fees.
Open
Source
• Cons: Its on your server! You have to take
care of it. No help desk. The cost is in
internal maintenance, upgrades, security
patches etc.
Commercial
• Cons: Usually start-up and yearly fees, can
not make changes,

11. Resources
• Open Source LMS vs Commercial LMS
– http://tinyurl.com/lgvoqyl
• Standards
– AICC www.aicc.org , http://www.syberworks.com/articles/aicc-and-thelms-article.htm
– SCORM 1.2 http://www.adlnet.gov/scorm/scorm-version-1-2
– SCORM 2004 http://www.adlnet.gov/scorm/scorm-2004-4th
– AICC CMI-5 http://aicccmi5.wikispaces.com/AICC+CMI5+Specification
– xAPI http://www.adlnet.gov/tla/experience-api
– TinCan http://tincanapi.com/
• What Standard Is Best
– http://tinyurl.com/l9l4s5k

12. Contact Info
JCA Solutions
Brian Caudill
bcaudill@jcasolutions.com
www.jcasolutions.com
321-296-8166 x201
www.linkedin.com/in/scorm