Hello,
I have a few quick questions about SCORM. My company is currently evaluating converting our proprietary courseware to SCORM compliance. I'm currently wading through the ADL labs documentation package (one hair at a time). I figured I might be able to save myself grief if I ask a few questions:
1. If I use Moodle as our target LMS, it appears that the API adapter that Moodle uses is a direct implementation of the ADL labs sample LMS Runtime. Is that correct?
2. Am I correct in making the assumption that if I use Moodle, I can use the ADL sample javascript API scripts to interface my SCORM content with the Moodle LMS?
3. What features a different or missing from the ADL reference?
4. I have a moodle test site up, but I'm using 1.4. I assume it would be in my best interests to load the current development snapshot (1.5+) in order to SCORM modules?
5. The SCORM documentation and RTE is unclear about who or what level provides the API adapter interface. It appears that the LMS provider/player will provide the API to your SCORM content so as long as I corretly package the XML manifest, my content and the API adapter javascript from ADL. Can I assume my content will work with other systems such as WebCT, Blackboard, etc? Or does each LMS require some tuning to the content?
Thanks for any/all answers
-Jeff Bakke
jpbakke@labvolt.com
Lab-Volt Systems, Inc.
1. If I use Moodle as our target LMS, it appears that the API adapter that Moodle uses is a direct implementation of the ADL labs sample LMS Runtime. Is that correct?
Incorrect, Moodle implement a RunTime Environment conformant to ADL Lab spec.
2. Am I correct in making the assumption that if I use Moodle, I can use the ADL sample javascript API scripts to interface my SCORM content with the Moodle LMS?
Correct.
3. What features a different or missing from the ADL reference?
Moodle 1.5 is fully conformant with ADL SCORM 1.2 spec.
4. I have a moodle test site up, but I'm using 1.4. I assume it would be in my best interests to load the current development snapshot (1.5+) in order to SCORM modules?
You can download the current stable release 1.5
5. The SCORM documentation and RTE is unclear about who or what level provides the API adapter interface. It appears that the LMS provider/player will provide the API to your SCORM content so as long as I corretly package the XML manifest, my content and the API adapter javascript from ADL. Can I assume my content will work with other systems such as WebCT, Blackboard, etc? Or does each LMS require some tuning to the content?
The LMS provide the API Adapter, the SCO must search the API Adapter in its DOM.
If the content is SCORM conformant it must works with all conformant LMS.
Bobo.
Incorrect, Moodle implement a RunTime Environment conformant to ADL Lab spec.
2. Am I correct in making the assumption that if I use Moodle, I can use the ADL sample javascript API scripts to interface my SCORM content with the Moodle LMS?
Correct.
3. What features a different or missing from the ADL reference?
Moodle 1.5 is fully conformant with ADL SCORM 1.2 spec.
4. I have a moodle test site up, but I'm using 1.4. I assume it would be in my best interests to load the current development snapshot (1.5+) in order to SCORM modules?
You can download the current stable release 1.5
5. The SCORM documentation and RTE is unclear about who or what level provides the API adapter interface. It appears that the LMS provider/player will provide the API to your SCORM content so as long as I corretly package the XML manifest, my content and the API adapter javascript from ADL. Can I assume my content will work with other systems such as WebCT, Blackboard, etc? Or does each LMS require some tuning to the content?
The LMS provide the API Adapter, the SCO must search the API Adapter in its DOM.
If the content is SCORM conformant it must works with all conformant LMS.
Bobo.
Thanks a ton for the quick answers Roberto, I appeciate your time.
Now I have a better understanding of what I need to do to create SCORM objects.
Thanks.
-Jeff
Now I have a better understanding of what I need to do to create SCORM objects.
Thanks.
-Jeff
Bobo,
When you say "Moodle 1.5 is fully conformant with ADL SCORM 1.2 spec". Do you mean Moodle 1.5 supports the complete data model from SCORM 1.2. ?
Technically speaking : is Moodle 1.5 an LMS-RTE3?
Note: A SCORM LMS may offer 3 compliancy levels. Level 3 (a.k.a LMS-RTE3) means a complete support of the data model.
YES!!!!! 
Moodle 1.5 is SCORM 1.2 LMS-RTE3
We are working for the Moodle certification.
Bobo.
Moodle 1.5 is SCORM 1.2 LMS-RTE3
We are working for the Moodle certification.
Bobo.
hey, that's a great job!
thanks for the info Bobo
Ed
Ok,
I have upgraded and installed Moodle to 1.5 latest.
I uploaded the photoshop example from ADL and the example test still gives me "unable to find api adapter".
I then uploaded the ADL example course about sailing navigation. When you jump to the quiz section and take the test, when you "submit", you get a bunch of javascript errors indicating that you're not connected (to what?).
Can someone point me to a SAMPLE SCORM course that actually use the API adapter to save test grades or other data and that actually works in Moodle? I'm getting a bit discouraged.
Thanks.
-Jeff
I have upgraded and installed Moodle to 1.5 latest.
I uploaded the photoshop example from ADL and the example test still gives me "unable to find api adapter".
I then uploaded the ADL example course about sailing navigation. When you jump to the quiz section and take the test, when you "submit", you get a bunch of javascript errors indicating that you're not connected (to what?).
Can someone point me to a SAMPLE SCORM course that actually use the API adapter to save test grades or other data and that actually works in Moodle? I'm getting a bit discouraged.
Thanks.
-Jeff
Jeff:
You might try generating a SCORM 1.2 package with eXe and give that a try. So far we have implemented some tracking of SCO completion and we're also working on a quiz iDevice that will communication with the LMS to track scores. We've had it working but it still needs some more work and didn't make it into this release (0.5) but should be in 0.6 which will be about a month away.
That said, Moodle has one of the best implementations of SCORM that I've seen so 'keep the faith'; my experience so far trying to develop an authoring environment for SCORM is that it's really quite difficult and that 'intereroperability' is still quite a long way off. Everyone implements their API in a different way (if at all) and for the most part what you get is just the import but little of the real interactivity. The eXe team is going to be working closely with the Moodle SCORM implementation and hopefully we'll create an authoring environment that can utilise SCORM to the fullest on Moodle at least ... plus a few other tricks that we may have up our sleeves
brent.
You might try generating a SCORM 1.2 package with eXe and give that a try. So far we have implemented some tracking of SCO completion and we're also working on a quiz iDevice that will communication with the LMS to track scores. We've had it working but it still needs some more work and didn't make it into this release (0.5) but should be in 0.6 which will be about a month away.
That said, Moodle has one of the best implementations of SCORM that I've seen so 'keep the faith'; my experience so far trying to develop an authoring environment for SCORM is that it's really quite difficult and that 'intereroperability' is still quite a long way off. Everyone implements their API in a different way (if at all) and for the most part what you get is just the import but little of the real interactivity. The eXe team is going to be working closely with the Moodle SCORM implementation and hopefully we'll create an authoring environment that can utilise SCORM to the fullest on Moodle at least ... plus a few other tricks that we may have up our sleeves
brent.
Jeff and Brent.
I must say I agree with Brent when he says Moodle has one of the best implementations of SCORM. I teach computer software. My desire was to create an interactive assessment model that would allow students to go through the motions of a skill such as creating a formula in a spreadsheet. I've tried many tools and talked to MANY companies about developing this. I just last Friday completed an interactive scoring quiz in Macromedia's Captivate. I then compiled it as a SCORM package and uploaded it to Moodle. To my surprise and delight, the interactive simulation not only worked, but the scores for the skills quiz migrated immediately into the Moodle gradebook!
I've found the answer to what I was looking for and didn't have to spend a fortune in software or development time!
It's also my understanding (I haven't tried it yet) there is an add-on to Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX for easily developing SCORM modules. That's my challenge!!
Hi Marilyn!
Could you please share the SCORM that you created?
Thanks in advance.
WP1
I would be happy to, however, the Moodle forum only allows a 100KB attachment. Mine is a little over 2 Mb. Provide me your e-mail address and I will send it to you. Here is my e-mail address:
Marilyn
Just to add to this particular comment from Marilyn, there are a number of excellent Dreamweaver extensions.
One is the CourseBuilder extension. The builder part of the name is somewhat of a misnomer, since it should be called Coursetester. This tool allows you to create various types of quizzes and questionnaires. A company called Rapid Intake also makes a Dreamwaver extension to make CourseBuilder interactions SCORM compliant(they're AICC). It involves a few minor changes to the interactions.
The second is L5 SCORM Producer. It allows the user to create a SCORM package, complete with metadata. I find it very useful (and of course, free).
Finally, the SCORM runtime wrapper extensions (there are a few) insert the basic SCORM commands into your content.
Have a peek around the Macromedia developer forums and see what's available for your use.
Joel