While SCORM is still widely used and remains the industry standard because of its interactivity and platform independence—it’s old; the most used version dates back to 2004, back when phones were phones and tablets were pads of paper. And—according to industry experts, SCORM doesn’t play well with modern-day versions of these devices.
There’s a new system out there that not only plays better with mobile devices, but escapes the leash of an LMS. It’s called Experience API, or xAPI, and can live online, offline, and on multiple platforms, allowing companies access to more data about how learners are learning.
xAPI began as “Project Tin Can,” an initiative led by ADL, the keepers of SCORM. Some of the issues xAPI intended to tackle included not requiring a web browser, simplifying SCORM standards, making it easier to update content, and creating more paths for analyzing learning data. According to Valamis.com, “With xAPI, a big difference is the ability to track learning on mobile devices—where roughly 40% of learning happens. Learners can interact with material on one device and pick up where they left off on another device later on. Not only that, offline learning can be tracked, such as real-world performance and team-based eLearning.”
xAPI is not only great for learning on mobile devices—it is increasingly being used with virtual reality. Imagine the cost savings of a fighter pilot learning to maneuver a plane in a VR simulation—also saving lives; or a counselor learning conflict resolution through VR scenarios. The real-world applications of xAPI are boundless.
While SCORM has been revolutionary for eLearning, the learning environment is fast evolving. Keeping up to date with the next generation of online learning standards will give you a leg up in the eLearning universe.
At ELM, we’re all about customized learning experiences. We’re uniquely positioned to provide SCORM-compliant eLearning content for your LMS.