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SCORM vs Tin Can: Understanding the Leap from Basic Progress Tracking to Rich Learning Ecosystem Data

October 12, 2024 SCORM animation

A Look at Various Issues Arising from the Absence of Tracking Systems in Online Learning

Online learning which is often considered to be convenient by most learners can be a big challenge for many firms; especially when it comes to integrating course modules based on a set of guidelines and understanding how learners are progressing with the training. In fact, without the presence of a proper system for monitoring the progress of the dedicated beginners, it can turn out to be chaotic for the Learning and Development management team or for the course creators [e-learning development companies].

To elaborate, learners will be able to complete the modules but there is no way through which instructors will be able to understand how well the learners have understood the learning materials.

These are nothing but the learning gaps which may occur through which both the learners as well as the instructors may suffer, and one may not see an overall performance in regards to the inquisitive learners. Apart from this, it would also be an evident factor that core details may be missed by students as they may not be any kind of Interaction with the learning aids – hence, progress will seem like a shot in the dark!

The possible solution in such cases is the introduction of standards such as SCORM-compliant courses and Tin Can-compliant courses which can be very helpful when it comes to tracking and knowing the results. SCORM (also goes by the full form of Sharable Content Object Reference Model) has been the go-to system for tracking learning content, as the reason being, it allows developers to come out with corporate e-learning courses that can be reused across different platforms.

However, SCORM has its own set of limitations, particularly in terms of capturing the learners' progress (when data is highly complex) as well as the learning content beyond LMS, and offers a host of varied learning types to be included in the e-learning system.

Without adopting these key e-learning factors; that is, SCORM-compliant courses and Tin Can standards, online courses remain limited in terms of providing a comprehensive training platform.

This is the reason why e-learning development companies must focus on integrating these concepts so that the quality of training modules improves significantly and provides essential learning features. When learners have better support, they perform better, and their progress becomes easier to monitor.

As a solution, using either SCORM or Tin Can can lead to a more holistic learning experience, allowing both simple and complex data to be tracked. Hence, the absence of these tools can spell trouble for both learners and instructors alike.

We will learn about these compliance standards in detail in the upcoming sections and understand their benefits after integration with an e-learning-based platform.

Table Of Contents:

Differentiating Factors: SCORM Vs Tin Can Compliance in E-learning

What is SCORM – A Detailed Look

SCROM integrated in LMS – An In-Depth Look

A Tale of Two Standards: SCORM vs. Tin Can

In What Ways Can the Tin Can-Compliant Courses Be Beneficial?

  1. Reliability -- A Clear Winner

  2. Tracking -- Beyond the Basics

  3. Data -- Richer and More Detailed

Differentiating Factors: SCORM Vs Tin Can Compliance in E-learning

What is SCORM – A Detailed Look

SCORM is a catchy acronym that expands as a Shareable Content Object Reference Model and serves more like a universal translator for online learning courses. To understand this, let us imagine a situation wherein you are using CDs and DVDs in a player that supports both setups. Now, all devices that support both formats will play the content on CDs and DVDs.

SCORM does something similar for customized e-learning materials. This way it is ensured that courses that are created in one type of system can be used in another type smoothly -- as long as both platforms understand the content inside the discs.

To put it in a more precise way, SCORM-compliant courses (developed by e-learning development companies) are essentially based on a certain set of rules that hinges completely on two key aspects: packaging and runtime.

You can consider Packaging in SCORM-based modules like wrapping a gift -- following proper rules. Importantly, it is this method that gives a shape by defining the structure along with the format for the course content. These measures ensure that it's neatly packaged and ready to be delivered and can be unwrapped by any sort of compatible e-learning platform.

Runtime, on the other hand, plays its own pivotal role by allowing the conversation between the developed e-learning course and the platform to be run. Exactly what it does is it specifies how they should communicate -- that is, how the course content should request information from the learners, and how it should report the learner's progress back to the platform.

To put it in simple terms, SCORM plays an essential role as far as putting together the communication between the course creator and the learner is concerned -- thus, the course is accessible in the simplest possible manner and understandable across different platforms. It can be compared to a situation where everyone can understand what others are saying without any hurdles in terms of communication, and this way a smooth as well as enjoyable learning experience is ensured.

SCROM integrated in LMS – An In-Depth Look

Imagine that you are trying to build a Lego castle with all the bricks you have, but, the problem is that you need instructions so that you can put them in the right place correctly. This is where SCORM comes in for e-learning development companies as they use a set of instructions based on SCORM-compliant rules while creating online learning content -- rules that dictate a software program like LMS how to interact with each other and present content to the learners.

Think of SCORM more like a blueprint that defines how different parts of a course (also referred to as Shareable Content Objects (SCOs)), should be put in different places of an LMS in an e-learning courseware in an organized manner -- SCORM-compliant courses.

Importantly, SCOs can be anything right from a single page of text to a big 3D or 2D video lesson based on a topic of the learners' choice. In simple terms. they can be viewed or compared to individual Lego bricks that can be arranged together in the learning course material so as to create a learning experience suited for knowledge seekers.

A Tale of Two Standards: SCORM vs. Tin Can

SCORM-compliant courses when compared to the latest Tin Can-compliant courses can be seen as a trusty dial-up modem, which chugs along but, sometimes, it gives a feeling of being a bit outdated and something extra features are required which would enhance the learning journey.

Here is where our savior and reliable partner Tin Can comes into play -- more like a sleek smartphone compared to a landline telephone system (SCORM) which has revolutionized the way we connect. One essential factor that needs to be remembered is that while with the entry of TIN CAN, SCORM still does its job. It is only that Tin Can has taken center stage smartly -- much like how smartphones replaced landlines.

In other words or a small twist: the end result of linking to course materials is pretty similar. Thus, irrespective of whether you opt for SCORM or Tin Can, the eLearning course content joined to LMS and overall goals remain the same largely in some ways.

Elaborately put, both protocols allow learners to get their hands on the courses, timely complete them, take on challenges through quizzes, and most essentially, track progress -- aiming for the same destination but taking different course routes.

In What Ways Can the Tin Can-Compliant Courses Be Beneficial?

Tin Can standard can be beneficial when integrated by e-learning development companies into online courses in many ways, as it provides plenty of features that can make the life of the Learning and Development team, as well as employees, easily explained hereunder.

Reliability -- A Clear Winner: Since Tin Can is the new kid in the block with multiple features, there is a high likelihood that it has fewer errors – compare it with a newer car model. Owing to this, it has been carefully built to face breakdowns and thus, may require fewer repairs.

At VK Creative Learning, we often help customers with SCORM-related issues on older browsers and authoring tools while with Tin Can, we've seen flexibility and a bit more robustness for most users.

Tracking -- Beyond the Basics: SCORM-compliant courses are more like a traditional notebook – but with decent capabilities; however, limited to tracking desktop courses. Tin Can, on the other hand, is smartly designed to suit today's world requirements, where learning can happen everywhere as when users need it. In fact, when it comes to the growing demands of the current world association related to mobile e-learning, Tin Can fits the bill.

Also, with the growing demand for mobile eLearning, Tin Can's flexibility is a major advantage in many ways. Plus, SCORM being an older technology can have some limited versatility on browsers like Safari and devices like iPad mini.

Data -- Richer and More Detailed: Tin Can for e-learning courseware can be seen as a high-resolution camera, which is capable of capturing detailed information and thereby, providing a clearer picture. Importantly, it can make sense of the complex data and communicate them along with the creation and automation of progress reports based on the detailed data Tin Can tracks. You can even integrate it with a Learning Record Store (LRS) to unlock even more reporting power.

Conclusion: If you are looking for SCORM-compliant courses or getting Tin Can compliance-based training courses, then VK Creative Learning is the way to go. This is because VK Creative Learning adheres to both SCORM and Tin Can standards, and generates robust e-learning solutions. Their approach ensures that clients receive data-rich, interactive courses that enhance learner engagement and training outcomes.

October 12, 2024

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