From ADL Team Member… Aaron Silvers: What’s In a Name?

Aaron Silvers

Aaron Silvers has innovated the design and production of learning experiences with a variety of technologies for organizations large and small, in both the private and public sectors, for over 15 years. From 1999-2001, he produced, designed and developed web-based games for the National Football League (NFL) and the website KidsCom. With a particular niche in learning games, he produced several popular titles that, ten years later, continue to attract 20,000 children ages 6-12 a day. Working on the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative, Aaron led the development of a number of SCORM 2004 content examples and returned to ADL in 2010 as its Community Manager. He has an M.S. in Curr...

As a contractor with Problem Solutions, Aaron provides support to the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of ADL.

[Update, 20 July: Thank you for all the great comments you submitted. We are no longer seeking suggestions.]

As a name, “SCORM” really doesn’t stand up well with the work we’re currently undertaking at ADL with the Next Generation of SCORM.

It was an acronym to talk about the Sharable Content Object Reference Model. In the context of what’s happening with Tin Can API, the kinds of things we want to do with experiences, personal assistants for learning, etc… well, the things we’re interested in span beyond just *content*, and it’s time to have a better name than “Next Generation of SCORM.”

We could use some help coming up with a better identity and branding for what is likely to become an “app store” of sorts for interoperable services and technologies that can be used in part or whole to support a wide variety of experiences.

We need more ideas on this, and that’s why we’re looking to you. The Tin Can API will be one technology in an entire ecosystem of technologies — and that ecosystem lacks a name.

If you leave it to us, we might just call it PEANUTT (or BAQON — or PEANUTTBUTR BAQON). You get my point. We are open to all suggestions. We are not categorically saying “no” to an acronym or including SCORM in the new name. We just need a good name!

If you have suggestions, please use the comment feature below to share them. If you like any of the suggestions shared, feel free to “like” that comment so we can gauge which is most popular among the contributed ideas.

We’re looking to act on this pretty quickly, so if you could share your ideas for the new name before June 15, it *might* be something we can announce soon after.

Tags experience api, Next Generation SCORM, Tin Can, tin can api, tla | May 29th, 2012 | Posted in Blog Post |

http://twitter.com/Garemoko Andrew Downes

This isn’t a name suggestion, but I think the name should encapsulate the idea that “learning happens everywhere; we can track it”.
- http://twitter.com/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers
  
  See, the tracking for me isn’t what makes it awesome. What makes it awesome is what we can power with the data: how we can help ourselves improve by surfacing patterns we have that we need to reinforce or disrupt so we can make ourselves better — and apply that continuous improvement in context.
http://www.facebook.com/steve.flowers.77 Steve Flowers

Seems to me we’re talking about “connections” more than anything else. I’m guessing we’re also still talking about protocols and specifications. I’d avoid referencing packaging since that’s too narrow scope. I also think we’re talking broadly about “experiences” that may result in learning. From what I’ve seen we’re also looking at a specification that enables things beyond the intended purpose. SCORM was good for SCORMY things, but not much else. Maybe hinting at the openness of application would be helpful. And something with less words is probably better.

I like Lucubration Protocol because it sounds funny when you say it quickly.

“Experience Connection Architecture” resonates, though I’m not sure a spec equates to architecture. “Experience Connection Concept” resonates, though a concept doesn’t necessarily equate to a spec either. “Experience Connection Specification” is a mouthful. On the other hand… XCS, XCA and XCC all have a keen representation.
http://www.facebook.com/steve.flowers.77 Steve Flowers

Or if you want to lean “Star Wars” – Learning Experience Architecture (LEA)
- http://www.briandusablon.com Brian Dusablon
  
  Simple. Effective. Nerdy. Perfect.
- Rachida Zouhair
  
  Is it only about Experience?
http://www.facebook.com/steve.flowers.77 Steve Flowers

Connected Learning Experience Model (CLEM)
- Jeff Clem
  
  This would get my vote!
  - http://about.me/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers (@aaronesilvers)
    
    Heh…
    - Arya_114
      
      ohhhh
Russell Duhon

LearnFlow. Learning Ecology Model (LEM). Learning Content Ecosystem (LCE). Learning and Similar Stuff and Ways to Talk About It (LaSSaWtTAI). That last one might need some work.
Al

FLAM – Flexible Learning Activity Model
- http://onehundredfortywords.com/ Judy Unrein
  
  FLEM – Flexible Learning Experience Model
  - Sks55nnva
    
    good logic here but sounds like phlegm –
  - Bob Jordan
    
    Needs antisceptic….yeck!
  - http://about.me/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers (@aaronesilvers)
    
    Yeah…. I’m not saying it won’t happen, but “FLEM” isn’t quite the metaphor I’d like to have in mind
    - http://onehundredfortywords.com/ Judy Unrein
      
      Wait… is this thing on?
      - http://twitter.com/mobilejson Jason Haag
        
        FLEM FLAM
http://small-codes.com/ Frederic CHAPLIN

ALDA – Adaptable Learning Data Architecture

I think this may be easy to remind.

I dont think “connected” should be in the name : one great thing about the next scorm is that you don’t need to be always connected.

Besides, I really like the suggestion from Al and Judith : flexibility and adaptability are the main concepts of the Next Scorm.
- Bruce P Schoch
  
  Brings in the new Army Learning Concept of Adaptability–and as an acronym, fits in with ATIS.
Michael Pack

AVOLA – Actor-Verb-Object Learning Archictecture. To me, the best part of this next generation of SCORM is the easy to remember “I-Did-This” construct, so I think including that in the name is helpful.
Vasplen

COLE- Content (creator) for the Online Learning Environment
http://www.downes.ca Stephen Downes

broad ecosystem of learning technologies – BELT
- http://about.me/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers (@aaronesilvers)
  
  I really like that. I can see it working as a metaphor with many tools on the BELT…
Bob Osmond

Visible Learning Achievement Model or VLAM

This is a model to visibly show learning achievement…not just completion.
Vasplen

CCIRKIT- (like a “circuit?”) Content Creator for Internet Relayed Knowledge that Innovates Teaching
Cherisse Gardner

FLAIR – Framework for Learning & Adaptable Interactive Resources
Jawsfeldman2

Global Learning Delivery Model (GLDM)
Jawsfeldman2

Global Learning Access Model (GLAM)
Jody Underwood

While I think adaptability can be supported, as far as I can tell, it’s not part of Tin Can. It’s up to the individual developer to leverage the data that’s available in order to make it adaptive. If you want to capture its ubiquitous (as opposed to connected) nature, then how about Ubiquitous Learning Experience Model (ULEM), though that acronym doesn’t roll off the tongue.
Ethan Estes

I’m thinking we should move away from an acronym that translates to a bunch of tech words. Something like FUEL (Flexible User Experience Learning if we need it to be an acronym) as the model fuels an individual or organization to change. GROW as it allows us to grow in our knowledge and in how we learn. CATALYST as it ignites our ability to adapt via knowledge consumption. I guess I’d like less nerdy and more of an emotional human readable name that expresses the core concept/goal.
Bill Mastin

SIM – Simple Interconnect Model
Andres Melguizo Velez

I was trying to build a LMS Server where SCORM is another service in the whole learning activity. I think SCORM is on right track, but it was just a screw in the whole process, and now you are trying that SCORM to be an axis. The correct way will be using services, and when offline just use another delayed method to send the data to be tracked.

My name for the project would be: “eLearning Services”.

Maybe is beyond the scope but maybe not. After many years of fighting with single SCOs just to can build a good content but with all the troubles to track correctly the information I think that the perfect solution is just to have a series of services which I can tell them what is happening and to have services to watch what happened in many ways (xml, json, reports in html, etc).

I remember that my first course was made in ASP but I had to throw it away because it was not SCORM. I made an LMS SCORM compliant and the API for courses that uses a single SCO. A lot of underpaid work!!! and would be a lot easier just to can build any type of content on any type of platform or device and send the data to be tracked. The word COURSE then would be just another way to say: fun, game, beauty, learning, even ability, etc. and that is not the meaning today.

Thanks a lot for your time.
- Anonymous
  
  Andres…
  
  DOD’s 2015 ADL Initiative wants to standardize protocols that will migrate to any communication platform seemlessly to provide information, whether it be learning products, tactical doctrine or technical information, to soldiers “anywhere, anytime” on their PDAs and tablets. Gen Casey has mandated that the 500 volumes of Army tactics and doctrine be reduced to 50 in form and content that may be accessed by individual soldiers, “anywhere, anytime.”
  
  DISA’s MISSION
  DISA, a Combat Support Agency, provides, operates, and assures command and control, information sharing capabilities, and a globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure in direct support to joint warfighters, National level leaders, and other mission and coalition partners across the full spectrum of operations.
  
  DISA’s VISION
  Information superiority in defense of our Nation.
  
  DOD–the Defense Information Support Activity (DISA)specifically– is focused on doing something similar to what you suggest:
  
  The capabilities and services needed to share information and enable joint warfighting across the DoD.
  
  DOD’s enterprise infrastructure is:
  
  Based on standards and common approaches.
  
  A seamless blend of communications, computing, services, and information assurance, including seamless transport, gateways, wireless, and satellite communications.
  
  Focused on Internet Protocol (IP) and standard computing platforms.
Bob Jordan

I like the global inference. Access is also important…as is connectivity and collaboration. But, at the end of the day, learning is paramount–and distant learning is migrating more and more toward individual experiential, nonlinear asynchronous learning. So I suggest something along the line of NELS (Nonlinear Experiencial Learning Systems)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jay-Cross/658101945 Jay Cross

JFDI?
- Anonymous
  
  What does it mean? Joint Forces Distance Initiative?
http://about.me/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers (@aaronesilvers)

I was pondering this morning the notion of calling the whole thing “Breakfast” with the idea that you can make up breakfast out of any number of items – Tin Can could have an “official” designation of “Coffee” and each technology in the breakfast another designation. This way you can have your breakfast any way you want to with the combination of items you want.

Of course, this also brings up a notion of consumption. That’s not quite what I’d like to reinforce so much as inquiry, creation, etc.
- Anonymous
  
  Inquiry? Creation? “Mystery meat!”
- http://twitter.com/mobilejson Jason Haag
  
  mmmm BACON
Anonymous

How about UNIS (Universal Nonlinear Interface System).

This seems appropriate as we migrate to cloud computing by a global universe of students engaged in nonlinear, synchronous and nonsynchronous mobile learning “anytime…anywhere” who access eLearning products individually or in groups on mobile PDAs.
- Rachida Zouhair
  
  Universal Nonlinear Interface System : there’s no “clue” about learning
Anonymous

Bodhi
http://about.me/aaronesilvers Aaron Silvers (@aaronesilvers)

Another perspective to consider: Tin Can API has a name. Metaphorically, what are the other things that Tin Cans are part of? There’s a “playground” or “backyard” set of metaphors here that invites broader uses beyond *just* learning contexts. In that sense, maybe the learner record store is the Shed in your backyard. Maybe it’s the treehouse where all your “backpacks” of personal data streams are located.

I like to think outside of acronyms and more about finding the right metaphor for the ecosystem that Tin Can API is part of. The metaphor itself becomes a tool that helps us think about what *else* might need to be envisioned as we go.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1514524327 Rick Raymer

Diverse Activity Tracking Architecture – DATA
Joseph M Cheek

eScosphere
Bill Murray

I like names that are short, memorable, and have positive connotations. So far, FLAIR and VIOLA are the best. Currently, SCORM sounds close to ‘scorn’, which has negative connotations.
Matthew Bannister

INSTILL. Innovative Network of Services & Technologies – In-Depth Learning Location
http://www.linkedin.com/in/cherissegardner Cherisse Gardner

DESK – Distributed eLearning Systems Kit
Shar Mohajer

Architecture for Sharable Knowledge (ASK)
Multi-platform Architecture for Sharable Knowledge (MASK)
Platform-Independent Architecture for Sharable Knowledge (PI-ASK)
Shar Mohajer

I was told “architecture” is not a good fit, therefore:
Joint Universal Standards and API for Shareable Knowledge (JUS-ASK) would be another suggestion
Clark Quinn

How about Learning Environment Standards: LES. Then you could say “LES is more” (a Clark Quinn joke).
Jared Handspicker

Training Requirements Allowing for INnovation (TRAIN) – Since there seems to be a need to change acronyms each time to encompass greater capabilities, why not say that up front and allow it to always be current? Just sayin’…
Kmelander

There’s so many good suggestions, but I keep coming back to ACT – Advanced Communication Technologies – which would include changing the key elements from Tin Can to Actor – Action – Activity, which ties those concepts together. While technically they mean the same as they did before, the basic alliteration of those basic components just seems to sound right to my ear, maybe not everyone else’s.
http://twitter.com/Morganf Morgan Fosstveit

Let’s skip the acronyms and go for a word that contains all diffrent types of learning and memories:

PLAY

It’s short, its’ about having fun, learning, relationships, memories, skills, tools, techniques, aso.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000519392060 Remi Tremblay

Hi Aaron

I have been mulling this one around in my head for the past week and have come up with CLUE or CLUE API – which can be used to mean “Continuous Learning User Experience(s)” which matches with the type of data that is being captured with the Tin Can API. When I visited the co-lab in Arlington a few weeks back I was very happy to see where the next generation of SCORM was heading. The data being collected provides us with clue as to what an individual knows or may know and what their interested in. It also provides us with additional clues as to what they may or may not be good at (competencies).

If you are looking for something broader than just user experiences CLUE could be repurposed to the “Continuous Learning User Environment”. Also, if the “powers that be” believe that Continuous Learning is too broad or cannot be captures and tracked unless connect to the network, we could adjust to “Connected Learning User Experiences / Environment”.

In the end I think that we are trying to gather additional CLUES about an individuals abilities, talents, interests, and performance not solely on what is tracked in a LMS, but what the individual does in real life.
For your consideration.
David Ells

Tin Canopy
Jay

CORE – Continuous Operation Reporting Environment
Steve Vergenz

SCORM LTS – Long-term support.

It maintains name recognition, while making it clear that it is no longer being actively developed (i.e. maintenance only).
Bbaudry

BIRDS : Broad Interface to Rationalize Deconstructed Substance. Each tech could have its bird name Tin Can API Collibri for example …
Tom Freeland

BYOD…..Bring Your Own Device……….
Alan Esienberg

HAL – Homogeneous Activity Learning (and yes, a bow to 2001: A Space Odyssey).
Pingback: Introducing the Experience API from ADL | Getting Results -- The Questionmark Blog
Anonymous

This strikes a nice chord. ;0)

However, are we not addressing distance, blended, virtual and resident learning?

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