SCORM is a set of technical standards for e-learning software products. it is the most widely used e-learning standard. If an LMS is SCORM conformant, then it can play any SCORM content, and conversely any SCORM content can be played in any SCORM conformant LMS. This interoperability makes everybody happy, and saves everyone a lot of time and money.
Learning is happening everywhere, not just in traditional SCORM courses inside traditional LMSs. The Experience API lets you record any learning experience, wherever and however it happens. The Experience API gives you the ability to see the whole picture.
“But I have all of this SCORM content…is it useless now?”
No, it’s not. It’s easy to make SCORM content work in a xAPI system.
So what are the differences between SCORM and the Experience API? The chart below sums it up pretty well.
| SCORM | xAPI | |
|---|---|---|
| Track completion | Y | Y |
| Track time | Y | Y |
| Track pass/fail | Y | Y |
| Report a single score | Y | Y |
| Report multiple scores | Y | Y |
| Detailed test results | Y | |
| Solid security | Y | |
| No LMS required | Y | |
| No internet browser required | Y | |
| Keep complete control over your content | Y | |
| No cross-domain limitation | Y | |
| Use mobile apps for learning | Y | |
| Platform transition (i.e. computer to mobile) | Y | |
| Track serious games | Y | |
| Track simulations | Y | |
| Track informal learning | Y | |
| Track real-world performance | Y | |
| Track offline learning | Y | |
| Track interactive learning | Y | |
| Track adaptive learning | Y | |
| Track blended learning | Y | |
| Track long-term learning | Y | |
| Track team-based learning | Y |