# SCORM vs xAPI

Explaining xAPI to a 5th grader, click the image below

[![image-1604554020228.png](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/uploads/images/gallery/2020-11/scaled-1680-/kwLbHy1NJMaEofo6-image-1604554020228.png)](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/attachments/112)

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##### Understanding SCORM vs xAPI

##### <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="484" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5yl1qnzbr4o" width="860"></iframe>



##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**What is SCORM?**</span>

- Shareable Content Object Reference Model
- Learning standard used to publish interactive learning content
- 1.1, 1.2, 2004 2nd Edition, 2004 3rd Edition, 2004 4th Edition (Versions)
- Tracking simple “end result” outcomes of e-learning e.g. Completion, Success, Score, Time Tracked

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**What is xAPI?**</span>

- 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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">  
    </span>

[![image-1597666280349.png](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/uploads/images/gallery/2020-08/scaled-1680-/W0O3wLn0HN967HWP-image-1597666280349.png)](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/uploads/images/gallery/2020-08/W0O3wLn0HN967HWP-image-1597666280349.png)

[![image-1597666290675.png](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/uploads/images/gallery/2020-08/scaled-1680-/4eGgCMKyvcmipi4P-image-1597666290675.png)](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/uploads/images/gallery/2020-08/4eGgCMKyvcmipi4P-image-1597666290675.png)

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Similarities**</span>

- Can both reside on the LMS
- Can both report on simple outcomes e.g. Completion, Success, Score, Time Tracked
- Both are learning standards

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Key differences**</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-learning-standard-%2F-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">**Learning standard / comparison area**</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">**SCORM**</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">**xAPI**

</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">LMS</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Only run inside LMS</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Can run inside and outside of an LMS</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Reporting</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Simple outcomes</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Advanced outcomes e.g. multiple scores</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Web browser required</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">Yes</td><td style="width: 33.3333%;">No</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Decision time**</span>

- Don't know when to use which standard?
- See document [**Signify Software - SCORM or xAPI.pdf**](https://signature.signifyhr.co.za/attachments/94) attached to the left.

##### <span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Other standards**</span>

- 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