Overview of Learning Object Standard - SCORM

SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model, initiated by Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) specification group. ADL incorporates the efforts of IMS, AICC, ARIADNE, and the IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee into a single harmonized reference model for learning design and delivery. It uses XML as a frame work to define and access information describing the learning objects so they can be easily archived and located in the information networks. SCORM is also part of the Department of Defense in USA initiative to promote standardization in e-Learning.

One of the main purpose of SCORM is to facilitate digital course contents being transferred amongdifferent Content Management Systems, CMS(or Learning Management Systems, LMS). In order to do this, instructional designers need to make learning content into modular objects that can be reused in other programs, and to enable any CMS to reference others for usable learning content. Following is the "official" illustration diagram of SCORM models:

When educators develop a learning object to be scorm compliant, there are essentially two separate areas need to be considered: Content Aggregation and Run Time Environment Integrations. In the content aggregation process, designers need to define an XML-based means of representing content structures and a specification for metadata records for all components of a system. The run time environment process integrate further with a content-to-LMS data model, a content launch specification or an application programming interface.