What is Standalone SCORM?
Standalone SCORM provides the ability to assign SCORM packages to users for completion, without having to attach it to an E-Learning module. This provides a more streamlined implementation of SCORM, as Standalone SCORM will no longer require an additional 'test' to be attached to the SCORM. This enables administrators to have full control over the experience of employee's training.
This also means that if you have a quiz in the SCORM package itself, the scores that users get for the quiz can be reported on via the Stats and Reports tool (using the 'Employee Activity Reports' report type).
This update went live on the 5th of December 2018.
Will any existing SCORM modules be affected on the platform?
We made a small update to the logic relating to SCORM content.
The official SCORM standard states that when a user finishes a module, there are two things that the SCORM module must communicate to any LMS:
- Set the completion status to Failed/Passed/Completed
(To tell the LMS what the outcome of the module was) - Run the LMSFinish() command
(To tell the LMS that the module is officially over, and to finish it)
If you experience any issues or have any concerns with SCORMs not finishing correctly and do not have access to the original SCORM content please let us know
Changes to E-Learning tool
A few minor changes have been made to the E-Learning tool to accommodate this new feature.
E-Learning Type
To distinguish between the classic E-Learning module type, and the new Standalone SCORM, a new field will appear in the E-Learning tool: 'Type'. This field will either contain Training Template, or Standalone, so that you can easily differentiate between the two types when you're looking at a list of all of your modules.
Adding Standalone SCORM to the Platform
The process for adding SCORM to the platform itself hasn't changed – only the way it is assigned to users. To add a SCORM package to the platform, Go to Training → E-Learning → Content Library → New SCORM Package
Creating Standalone SCORM
To Create a Standalone SCORM navigate to Training → E-Learning → New Module. Now we see a slight difference with the introduction of 'Type'
Whether this option is set to Training Template or Standalone will determine what the next few options shown are, since not all of the old options necessarily apply to the new Standalone type.
When the first option Training Template is selected, you will have all of the standard options, including Instructions, Feedback, Pass Mark, etc. When you select 'Type' as Standalone, many of the options are replaced by the option 'Standalone SCORM'. Here you will be able to select a SCORM package that has been uploaded to the platform. One option that is retained is the Attach Content option. This means that you will still be able to attach learning content to a module, including ACTIV Presentations, External Links, SCORM Package and User Files, and they will appear before the Standalone SCORM begins.
Tip: With Standalone SCORM, you can now immediately make the module active, since it no longer requires you to include questions.
Creating regular training modules
To create the regular, familiar training module, including ACTIV Presentations, External Links, SCORM Packages and User Files, go to Training → E-Learning → New Module. Instead of selecting the Standalone SCORM 'Type' like we did above, simply leave the type as Training Template. You will have all the same options as before, with the remainder of the process unchanged.
Note: Once the module has been created, you cannot change its type. This means that existing modules cannot be made Standalone, and would require the creation of a new module.
Stats and Reports
Both Standalone and Training Template type modules are treated almost entirely the same when it comes to reporting. The reports will show whether or not the users have passed or failed the modules, and their score, whether reported by the platform's regular training type, or by the SCORM. The main difference is that the E-Learning Modules Questions report cannot determine which questions were correct or incorrect in a Standalone SCORM.
End User Experience
What the Standalone SCORM offers in terms of the user experience, is a simpler transition from beginning to end of a training module. As soon as a user finishes a Standalone SCORM module, they will be immediately shown the status of their training, as opposed to being taken to another test component.
SCORM Validation
Whenever you create a SCORM module and add it to the platform, it would be best to first test it out on a variety of devices, using the Preview function in the Content Library, before making it available for your users to complete. This way you can ensure that your users will have the experience that you intended.
Most importantly, when creating the SCORM, please make sure that the completion criteria is set up accordingly, whether that be upon getting a certain mark on a quiz, or viewing a certain number of slides (affects SCORM Status above). Please also ensure that the SCORM communicates a 'Finish' state to the platform (SCORM Finished above), otherwise the platform will not know that the user is done once the end is reached.
Note: In most cases, if these settings are set improperly, your users may have difficulty finishing the SCORM module.
If you are using either Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline to create your SCORM content, feel free to consult our articles below for ensuring compatibility with our platform.
If you run into any issues or have any concerns regarding the new Standalone SCORM features, please feel free to contact your Relationship Manager, or our Support Team at wmsupport@franconnect.com.