Where SCORM Ends and xAPI Starts

By: Justin Ferriman • February 18, 2016
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If you are involved in the elearning industry then you are well aware of SCORM.

Heck, even people who are not working with elearning and learning management systems seem to know about SCORM.

For years and years SCORM was the be-all, end-all for data recording and reporting with regards to elearning.

However, most elearning professionals agree that it is outdated.

For many (perhaps myself included) it has worn out its welcome.

Tin Can API (also known as xAPI) is the new standard we all need to care about. It’s like SCORM, but better.

The question for today’s elearning professional is when to use Tin Can API and when to use SCORM. The short answer is to always use Tin Can API as it can do the same things as SCORM and then some.

This is not to say that Tin Can API doesn’t have its own set of hurdles to address. Most noticeable is that it has been slow to gain momuntum (although the past year has seen some great strides in this area).

And perhaps the one area that irks me the most: what do we call it?

I’ll refrain from ranting about this again as my thoughts are already well documented on the matter.

One significant advantage to switching to Tin Can API from SCORM is that it opens up the doors for platforms like WordPress to deliver elearning content for organizations that used to use (or require) the data that SCORM provides.

If you haven’t already you should really look into Tin Can API – it opens up many possibilities from a reporting and learning standpoint.

Image credited to Torrance Learning.

Justin Ferriman

Justin started LearnDash, the WordPress LMS trusted by Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide. He is currently founder & CEO of GapScout. Justin’s Homepage | GapScout | Twitter