What is a SCORM-Compliant LMS?

SCORM, which stands for “Sharable Content Object Reference Model” is an information standard that was first developed in 2001.  The goal was to create a series of standards that would allow training content to become “portable” so it could be delivered and measured by different LMS platforms.

Our Litmos LMS helps educators and trainers create training coursework and content that’s instantly SCORM-compliant. This allows training teams to create content without worrying about getting “locked in” by a vendor’s technical or content requirements. SCORM standardizes the following things:

  • LMS and coursework communication. This allows organizations to create content in any SCORM-complaint authoring tool with the confidence it will work on any SCORM-compliant LMS.
  • Content and coursework connectivity.  This means instructional authors and designers can create a hierarchy between individual pieces of content and the course itself.
  • User progress measurement and tracking.  This standardizes how user activity is tracked, allowing users to stop/start a course and always return to the same spot upon resumption.
  • Quiz and test scoring.  This ensures a learner is always given credit for their progress on any assessment.

Ultimately, SCORM compliance helps instructional designers and authors focus on what’s most important, student learning.  No matter which tool you’re using (Articulate, Captivate, Camtasia, Lectora or Raptivity), the content and coursework you create will work with your LMS choice (including Litmos).

Standardization, Your Way

While SCORM standardization means worry-free content creation, delivery, and measurement, it doesn’t mean a loss of flexibility or customization.  You’re still free to create your own content, embed your own branding, and leverage rich multimedia and interactivity.  SCORM compliance simply means you don’t have to work to translate content between systems or waste time configuring either the authoring tool or the LMS.  All you do is create, publish, and let the learning (and measurement) begin.

As a fully SCORM-compliant LMS, Litmos can also connect with the other people and talent management systems you’re probably already using in your business. This means it can automatically communicate with tools like Salesforce, PeopleSoft, Box, OKTA, and others to share information about student performance and progress.   You can create, reuse, and update content as needed, no technical expertise required. This protects both your time and the investments you’ve already made in creating past content.

What is Tin Can?

In recent years, a new set of standards is emerging to replace SCORM.  While SCORM relies on a piece of software to manage the translation of learning content, Tin Can is an actual Application Programming Interface, like those used by Litmos to integrate directly with other tools you use.   Functionally, the end result is the same: seamless translation from content to LMS.  The Tin Can API can support a richer variety of content objects and has some other technical distinctions.  But for educators, trainers, and instructions authors, they both manage the hard work of connecting and communicating.

What are the advantages of building SCORM versus Tin Can-compliant learning?

No matter which set of standard you’re building for, Litmos LMS makes easy work of creating, delivering, and measuring eLearning.  You don’t need to team of IT or application specialists to get the job done.  You concentrate on setting learning objectives and designing the path that gets there.  If you’re not sure whether Litmos is right for you, try our free 14-day trial and explore the future of eLearning made easy.