SCORM-Compliant LMS Software

Sharable Content Object Reference Model, or SCORM, was created by the U.S. government's Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) research program in 2000 to be a more flexible, more capable e-learning technical standard for the 21st century.

Since that time, SCORM has become the standard of choice for most educators, corporate trainers and e-learning content creators. According to a Software Advice survey, 62 percent of businesses that leverage e-learning for their employee training use SCORM-based courses.

But a library of good SCORM courses is pretty much useless by itself—it's like a car without wheels. Schools and businesses alike also need to implement the right SCORM-compliant learning management system (LMS) to properly deliver those SCORM courses to learners.

If you're new to the world of learning management systems and don't know which one is right for your needs, don't worry. In this Buyer's Guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about SCORM-compliant LMS software to make an informed purchase decision.

Here's what we'll cover:

What Is SCORM-Compliant LMS Software?

Common SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Functionality

SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Pricing

What Type of Buyer Are You?

Additional SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Resources

What Is SCORM-Compliant LMS Software?

 

SCORM-compliant LMS software allows organizations to deliver SCORM e-learning courses to learners. These platforms don't just serve as content management systems though. They also enable organizations to track learner knowledge retention through course assessments, offer more engaging education through gamification features and more.

Because SCORM has become the favored technical standard, you'll find most LMS platforms support these types of courses.

Adding new learner activities in Torch LMS

Common SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Functionality

LMS software can range from basic systems that offer the bare minimum needed to administer e-learning courses all the way to massive suites with features that support more advanced learning experiences and other strategic needs for schools or businesses.

When evaluating different LMS products, here are some of the most common functions you should look for:

E-Learning management	Administer SCORM e-learning courses to a roster of learners; manage content distribution, user information, scheduling and course enrollment.
Course tracking	Track the progress of learners within administered courses or course programs.
Course assessments	Create and administer tests to gauge learner knowledge or skill.
Certification and compliance management	Set up, track and manage compliance training and worker certifications.
Virtual classroom	Allow instructors to lead live classes through interactive video conferencing functionality.
Course authoring	Author and design your own SCORM courses.
Social learning	Facilitate learners interacting with each other via course ratings, discussions or individual learner blogs.
Gamification	Engage learners using points, badges and rewards as they complete pre-defined training objectives.
Learner analytics	Visualize important trends in your training and learning program to highlight areas for needed improvements.

To avoid paying top dollar for a system where you only use half of the features, create a requirements list that separates “needs" from “wants" when it comes to functionality.

SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Pricing

The total cost for a new SCORM-compliant learning management system is going to be based primarily on two factors:

1. The number of learners that will be using your system
2. The amount of functionality included

Generally speaking, the more learners and functionality you have, the more expensive the system will be.

Your payment schedule will depend on your deployment. For an on-premise deployment (where the software is hosted on your own server), you can expect to pay for the entire system upfront. With a more common cloud-based deployment (where the software is hosted on the vendor's server and accessed through a web browser), you'll pay a monthly or annual subscription fee.

There are other one-time fees that can be rolled up into your system purchase as well, for things like data migration, customer support or user training. That's why it's important to ask any shortlisted LMS vendors about the specifics of their pricing structure so you can budget for the system accordingly.

What Type of Buyer Are You?

Are you an academic institution charged with teaching students, or a business that needs to train employees? Depending on what type of buyer you are, your LMS software options and needs will vary.

Schools and universities are increasingly leveraging LMSs to not only offer online learning, but to also allow students to register for courses, gain access to the syllabus and turn in assignments.

Buyers in this category may be interested in a standalone education LMS, or a more comprehensive student information system (SIS) with applications for things like learning management and school accounting.

Corporate trainers need an LMS to provide more flexible, engaging training to employees. This is especially true in highly-regulated industries like healthcare and manufacturing, where workers are required to hold specific certifications or licenses to comply with industry or government standards.

Buyers in this category looking to purchase a standalone corporate LMS should prioritize features like extended enterprise if they want to also train outside parties like channel partners or customers. A more comprehensive talent management suite is also an option if you want integrated performance management.

Additional SCORM-Compliant LMS Software Resources

Using the information presented in this Buyer's Guide will help you research the different SCORM-compliant LMS software options out there and give you better odds that you end up with a system that best fits your needs.

If you're looking for additional resources to help in your software selection and implementation, here are some options:

• "SCORM vs. AICC vs. Tin Can (xAPI): Why xAPI Is the Only Way Forward": SCORM is the most widely-used technical standard out there, but is it truly the best option? In this article, we compare the most popular standards—SCORM, AICC & Tin Can (xAPI)—and make the argument that xAPI is the best one for LMS users moving forward.
• "LMS Content War: Is In-house or Third Party Content Best?": A survey of corporate LMS users reveals when it's best to create your own courses in-house, and when you should purchase them from a third-party vendor.
• "Filling the 5 Biggest Gaps in Your LMS Business Case": If you're having trouble convincing leadership that an LMS is worth the investment, this article offers rebuttals to the five most common arguments against purchasing a system.
• "7 Best Practices: Avoid Flunking Your LMS Implementation": This checklist covers everything you need to know and do in order for your LMS implementation to be a successful one.