SCORM vs xAPI
Explaining xAPI to a 5th grader, click the image below
Understanding SCORM vs xAPI
What is SCORM?
What is xAPI?
- Experience API (xAPI)
- Learning standard used to publish interactive learning content
- Format: Actor (A) : Verb (V) : Object (O)
Examples
Joe Black (A) viewed (V) the policy (O)
Joe Black (A) correctly answered (V) the question ‘How many developers does it take to fix a bug’ by selecting ‘1’ (O)
Joe Black (A) viewed (V) the Government Gazette website (O) - xAPI content can reside outside of the LMS
- Since 2013 – 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.0.3 - Versions
Similarities
- Can both reside on the LMS
- Can both report on simple outcomes e.g. Completion, Success, Score, Time Tracked
- Both are learning standards
Key differences
| Learning standard / comparison area | SCORM |
xAPI |
| LMS | Only run inside LMS | Can run inside and outside of an LMS |
| Reporting | Simple outcomes | Advanced outcomes e.g. multiple scores |
| Web browser required | Yes | No |
Decision time
- Don't know when to use which standard?
- See document Signify Software - SCORM or xAPI.pdf attached to the left.
Other standards
- cmi5
- cmi = computer managed instruction
- Use xAPI learning standard as the communication protocol
- Plus definition on packaging an structure
- If xAPI is the electrical current, then cmi5 is the wall socket where you plug into your LMS!
- AICC - Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee
- AICC - a specification of eLearning content, established by the committee from which it gets its name