Keywords: learning object, learning package, content, material, quiz, test
What is it?
The SCORM module enables course editors to upload any SCORM 1.2 or AICC package to a Moodle course. Note that SCORM 2004 is not supported
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is a collection of standards that allow e-learning content packages to be authored outside of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) like Moodle, but which can pass information (like user sessions and quiz grades) into Moodle and other VLEs. SCORM packages are formed of content (text, images, video, audio, animations) and sometimes also quiz questions that test students' knowledge of the learning materials, with the grades then available within the Moodle gradebook.
AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee) was a standard for delivery learning objects to VLEs like Moodle, that is no longer being actively developed or maintained, so therefore SCORM and other standards like xAPI will likely be used in its place for new learning object development.
Why use it?
If you have purchased or obtained learning objects from an external organisation you may have been provided with a SCORM package, in the form of a zip file. You can then deliver this learning package to your students via Moodle by uploading this package to your Moodle course.
Who can use it?
Course editors, such as tutors and course administrators can upload a SCORM or AICC package. You can also force a new attempt on a SCORM package.
Students can complete the learning activity.
Before I start...
Before you consider using a SCORM package in Moodle, you should consider the following.
Pros and Cons of SCORM
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can hide complexity from departmental staff. | SCORM packages are not suppported by UCL Digital Education team. Bugs that arise (for example due to a change in Moodle or release of new web browsers) need to be referred to the content designers/authors who, ideally, should be expert in the delivery of their content via Moodle. If content is externally authored it's prudent to budget for this kind of maintainence. You can get a feel for the kinds of issues that can arise by following the SCORM forum at Moodle.org: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/view.php?id=1951 |
| Can allow richer visual design features | Embedding your information in rich visual environments has the advantage of being immediately more appealing but also tends to make your content more difficult and expensive to change - will your material need updating if so, how often and who will do this? |
| Can allow you to outsource your content production. | Outsourcing is an attractive option, especially if you pressed for time and/or need to produce something that looks good to other stakeholders - it can often work well but the second half of this post on a forum at Moodle.org highlights some potential issues....https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=200242#p873699 |
If you decide to use a SCORM (or AICC) in Moodle, you need to first obtain the SCORM or AICC package as a zip file. This will have a .zip extension and is a collection of multiple files condensed into a single "zipped" file.
Meeting the baseline
The UCL E-Learning Baseline suggests the following for Resources category suggests that you should:
5.1 Use descriptive titles for all items and consider displaying the item's description on the course homepage, as this helps students understand the purpose of the activity or resource.
5.2 Provide learning resources - Provide presentation slides, notes or handouts. See which file format to use when. UCL policy is to provide lecture materials 48 hours in advance.
- 5.4 Check resources - Regularly fix or remove broken hyperlinks (URLs) and check that all resources are up-to-date before releasing these to students.
How do I set one up?
Drag and drop a SCORM zip file to your Moodle course
This is not suitable for use for AICC packages.
This method works on most recent web browsers. If you are using Interenet Explorer you need version 10 or later.
- Click the 'Turn editing on' button at the top right of the course page
- Drag and drop the SCORM package zip file onto the course section where you'd like it to appear
- Answer 'Add a SCORM package' to the popup dialogue asking what you want to do with the zip file then click the upload button
- If necessary, edit the title of the file by clicking the pencil icon, or edit other options (like grade) by clicking the editing icon.
Add a SCORM or AICC file manually to your Moodle course
The longer method, suitable for Internet Explorer 10 or earlier, and for AICC packages:
- Click the 'Turn editing on' button at the top right of the course page.
- Click the 'Add an activity or resource' link in the section you wish to add your SCORM package and select 'SCORM package'.
- Enter a name and a description (which may be required or optional according to the admin settings).
- Either drag and drop a SCORM package zip file into the box with an arrow or click the Add button to open the File picker menu in order to choose a file from your computer or a repository.
- Select display and other options as required.
- Click the button 'Save and display' at the bottom of the page.
You can edit or update the SCORM package later by clicking on the edit icon (usually a hand/pen) or by clicking on its name and then Settings > SCORM/AICC administration > Edit settings.
Further help
Further guidance on the SCORM activity is available from moodledocs.
If you find any inaccurate or missing information you can even update this yourself (it's a communal wiki).
If you have a specific question about the tool please contact the Digital Education team.
Caution
If the SCORM package does not play back in Moodle properly, you will need to contact the developers of the package for support.
Common troubleshooting
If you are having problems viewing a SCORM package in Moodle then it is most likely down to one or more of these four things.
- The issues could be browser related. Testing carried out by Digital Education on 23 Sept. 2015 showed that SCORM packages in Moodle might have display issues with Internet Explorer and Safari, and will not have scroll options within the package in these browsers. If this is the case then we recommend trying the latest version of either Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- In addition to number 1 above, there could be an issue with screen size. If you are using a smaller screen, for example a laptop then you may have problems accessing the full package without scrolling. Hiding the side menu may help in these situations. To do this simply click the arrow (that looks like < ) in the left hand corner near the top of the SCORM package.
- Some SCORM packages require Java to work. In which case, please ensure you have downloaded and installed, or enabled Java on the machine you are using.
- Download from Java.com
- Use the Java test pages to verify if Jave is enabled.
- Some SCORM packages require Adobe Flash Player, (a free browser plug-in that is used for playing videos, animations and games), to make them work. In which case, please ensure that you have either enabled it in the Internet browser you are using, or download and installed it. You may download it here: https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
- If it isn't number 1, 2, 3 or 4, then the final options is that the version of SCORM being used is incompatible with Moodle. If this is the case then you will need to contact the person whose course it is, or the person who created the package (if it is your course) and request the send you the SCORM package as version 1.2 as this is the only version compatible with Moodle. You will then need to upload this version to Moodle for it to work.
Examples and case studies
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Questions & Answers
SCORM FAQs are available on moodledocs.
Further information
Also see:
Moodle does not generate SCORM content. Moodle presents the content in SCORM packages to learners, and saves data from learner interactions with the SCORM package. See Tools for creating SCORM content.
