SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004

[Scott Humphrey]

Basically, which one do I implement?

[Philip Hutchison]

If possible, use SCORM 2004.

SCORM 2004 replaced 1.2, has more features and is actively supported by the ADL. SCORM 1.2 is considered deprecated by the ADL.

The common belief is that SCORM 1.2 is easier to work with if you're hand-coding your course, but SCORM 2004 can also be easy if you're sticking to the basics.

Also, check to see what your LMS vendor recommends. SCORM 1.2 is generally more widely supported by LMSs (because it's older and has been around longer).  SCORM 2004 support is notoriously spotty in some LMSs (such as moodle) but very well-supported in others.

You might want to check out scorm.com for more info.

- philip

[Seanonymous]

Any LMS that supports SCORM 2004 will also support SCORM 1.2, so
unless you need to use any of the features that are exclusive to SCORM
2004, there's really no need to implement it.

[Philip Hutchison]

That's an assumption, not a fact... LMSs that support SCORM 2004 are *likely* to support 1.2. It isn't a given. 

Note that SCORM 2004 isn't backwards compatible with SCORM 1.2, so courses designed for SCORM 1.2 cannot be loaded in SCORM 2004 systems unless you make modifications. Also, there are multiple editions of SCORM 2004, so sometimes just hearing "SCORM 2004 certified" isn't enough to know if your course will work correctly.

Again, the best thing you can do is check with your LMS vendor to see which version they support and recommend.

[rsug...@sugels.com]

Philip is absolutely correct in his statement.

A number of things changed between SCORM 1.2 and 2004 that impact content.
Most of the data names changed as well as all of the API methods used in
content -> LMS communications. In addition under SCORM 1.2 an LMS could be
"certified" in one of three levels; LMS-RTE1, LMS-RTE2 and LMS-RTE3 which
governed the data elements supported by the LMS. LMS-RTE1 means the LMS only
supported the mandatory data elements under SCORM 1.2, LMS-RTE2 is mandatory
+ some optional data elements (choice of which optional elements was left to
the LMS) while LMS-RTE3 meant all data elements supported. SCORM 2004
requires all data elements to be supported.

Seanonymous is correct in stating that an LMS that supports 2004 will most
likely support 1.2, at least the major vendors, because of the amount of
content already developed for SCORM 1.2. Others, such as Pathlore 6.6, were
only certified to SCORM 1.2 but do partially support SCORM 2004.

Bottom line is unless you have a wrapper that can either determine which
SCORM API is implemented on the fly or can be changed by flipping a switch
your best bet is to develop for the implementation your LMS is certified to.

Sincerely,
Raymond Sugel Sr
Pivotpoint eLearning, LLC
rsug...@pivotpointelearning.com
847.370.6163

[Scott Humphrey]

The content is being packaged up for the Global Grid for Learning and
they state it can be 1.2 or 2004. The SCO's are either a animated
flash maths lesson or a short 5 question test based on the lesson.

What are the key difference in features between 1.2 and 2004?

[rsug...@sugels.com]

Hello Scott,

The biggest change, from a content perspective, with SCORM 2004 is
Sequencing & Navigation. I personally can't speak to its use; I produce
training for customized corporate applications that are basically linear in
nature. The purpose of Sequencing & Navigation is to make the training more
adaptable to the learner. For example, you have a course with a pre-test,
half dozen SCOs and a post-test. The student takes the pre-test and based on
the results are only presented with the SCOs that would support their weak
areas.

Other than that, SCORM 2004 expanded the comments data elements, both
comments_from_lms and comments_from_learner to be collections rather than a
single field for each as was the case under SCORM 1.2. It also changed the
required format for session_time.

Sincerely,
Raymond Sugel Sr
Pivotpoint eLearning, LLC
rsug...@pivotpointelearning.com
847.370.6163

-----Original Message-----
From: elearning-technolo...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:elearning-technolo...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Humphrey
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 3:24 PM
To: eLearning Technology and Development
Subject: [elearning tech & dev] Re: SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004

[Seanonymous]

I'm sorry, but if you can name one commercial LMS that supports 2004
and not 1.2, I'll buy you a beer. :)

On Jun 21, 7:23 pm, Philip Hutchison <platelu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's an assumption, not a fact... LMSs that support SCORM 2004 are
> *likely* to support 1.2. It isn't a given.
>
> Note that SCORM 2004 isn't backwards compatible with SCORM 1.2, so courses
> designed for SCORM 1.2 cannot be loaded in SCORM 2004 systems unless you
> make modifications. Also, there are multiple editions of SCORM 2004, so
> sometimes just hearing "SCORM 2004 certified" isn't enough to know if your
> course will work correctly.
>
> Again, the best thing you can do is check with your LMS vendor to see which
> version they support and recommend.
>

[Philip Hutchison]

My point was that you make it sound like it's a requirement, when it's not.  As I mentioned, I agree that they are *likely* to support 1.2, but it isn't written in the rules anywhere that if they have 2004 they have to also have 1.2.