This guide is the official SCORM® reference and support resource for Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1322.26. This reference contains the most recent technical information available and will be updated as ADL and the DADLAC identify new information or recommend changes to standards, specifications, conformance, testing, acquisition, and other distributed learning topic areas. Readers are encouraged to visit this reference frequently for the latest available technical information and guidelines.
[ See ADL Initiative Website ]
This section explores concepts related to the acquisition and development of SCORM® as an approach to DL. ADL Initiative will update this reference guide with sample contract language upon availability of impending updates to conformance and certification protocols.
SCORM® was the first standard created by ADL Initiative for both DL content and DL systems. It includes specifications for for tracking course progress and sharing content objects used in courses. Before developing new SCORM® content, DoD Components should search for existing content that can be reused or repurposed. At a minimum, formal DoD Components can search lists or systems for reuse as facilitated by the DADLAC.
Multiple methods can be used to create learning content; however, to produce SCORM® content (whether developing or acquiring):
SCORM® requires DL systems, such as an LMS or learning content management system (LCMS) to store and return run-time data model values to the content while the learner is in an active session with the content. After completion of the content, most DL systems:
To promote reporting consistency across content created by multiple developers and instructional designers, design and program the content to set the cmi.completionstatus or cmi.successstatus for each shareable content object (SCO) at a minimum.
SCORM® content is transported and processed using SCORM® content packages. When creating SCORM® content packages to make DL content more reusable, developers should also consider the following:
After the specific version and edition of SCORM® have been targeted, use the criteria in Table 1 to determine the conformance labels for each supported version (SCORM® 1.2 or SCORM® 2004) and edition to support proper conformance testing.
Table 1. Conformance Test Suite and Conformance Test Suite Labels
SCORM® 2004 4th Edition | SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition | SCORM® Version 1.2 | |
---|---|---|---|
Test Suite | ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 4th Edition Test Suite Version 1.1.1 | ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Test Suite Version 1.0.2 or ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Test Suite Version 1.1.2 |
ADL Initiative SCORM®Version 1.2 Conformance Test Suite Version 1.2.7 |
Conformance Label | CP SCORM® 2004 4th Ed. Conformant | CP SCORM® 2004 3rd Ed. Conformant | ADLCP-PIF1 |
Conformance Requirements Document | SCORM® 2004 4th Edition Testing Requirements Version 1.1 | SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Requirements Version 1.2 | SCORM® Version 1.2 Conformance Requirements Version 1.2 |
Table 2 provides recommended sample verbiage to ensure SCORM®-conformant DL is procured. Components acquiring DL should update the sample statements to reflect the correct version and edition of SCORM® content to be procured.
Table 2. Sample SCORM®-Conformant Content Contract Statements
SCORM® Version | Sample Contract Statements |
---|---|
ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 4th Edition |
“The contractor shall ensure distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® 2004 4th Edition.”
|
ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition |
“The contractor shall ensure distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition.”
|
ADL Initiative SCORM® Version 1.2 |
“The contractor shall ensure distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® Version 1.2.”
|
Currently, ADL Initiative supports SCORM® 1.2, SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition, and SCORM® 2004 4th Edition. Conformance test suites for DL systems are available for each. Generally, DL acquisition professionals should procure an LMS and/or LCMS that can demonstrate conformance against the required version(s) of SCORM®.
Further, ADL Initiative advises procurers to review our "Choosing an LMS" document.
General SCORM®-conformant system statements should be used in requirements documents (specifications, statements of work, performance work statements, or other applicable program requirements documentation), as described in Table 3.
Table 3. Sample SCORM®-Conformant System Contract Statements
SCORM® Version | Sample Contract Statements |
---|---|
ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 4th Edition |
“The contractor shall ensure the component of the distributed learning system that imports, runs, and sequences asynchronous, web-based distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® 2004 4th Edition.” The following documents will be cited in the request for proposal (RFP) package (keyed to the appropriate section) for DLS: ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 4th Edition Testing Requirements Version 1.1. Acceptance will be based on the following:
|
ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition |
“The contractor shall ensure the component of the distributed learning system that imports, runs, and sequences asynchronous, web-based distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition.” The following documents will be cited in the RFP package (keyed to the appropriate section) for DLS: ADL Initiative SCORM® 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Requirements Version 1.2. Acceptance will be based on the following:
|
ADL Initiative SCORM® Version 1.2 |
“The contractor shall ensure the component of the distributed learning system that imports, runs, and sequences asynchronous, web-based distributed learning content is conformant to SCORM® Version 1.2.” The following documents will be cited in the RFP package (keyed to the appropriate section) for DLS: ADL Initiative SCORM® Version 1.2 Conformance Requirements Version 1.2. Acceptance will be based on one of the following:
|