How to create SCORM content: A step-by-step guide

SCORM, which stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model, is a technical standard that ensures interoperability between e-learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMS). 

A SCORM package of your content includes compliant elements that enable smooth integration without costly or time-consuming adjustments. You can reuse each content object across various courses and easily migrate courses and reports between LMSs. Let’s explore the evolution of SCORM and why it remains vital today before diving into how to create SCORM content. 

The history and evolution of SCORM 

SCORM originated in the late 1990s under the guidance of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative by the U.S. Department of Defense. The goal was to create a unified framework for e-learning content that would work across different LMSs. The first SCORM version, SCORM 1.0, debuted in 2000, and subsequent updates refined its functionality, culminating in SCORM 2004, the most widely used version today. 

Key milestones in SCORM’s development include: 

• The introduction of runtime communication, enabling real-time tracking of learner progress. 

• The establishment of metadata standards to improve content organization and searchability. 

• The transition to modular content objects, making it easier to repurpose materials. 

Compared to other standards like xAPI (formerly Tin Can API), AICC, and LTI, SCORM has distinct strengths and limitations. While xAPI allows tracking beyond LMSs, such as offline activities, SCORM remains a popular choice for organizations with legacy LMS platforms or strict compliance requirements. Its simplicity and widespread adoption ensure its relevance in e-learning ecosystems. 

Why SCORM is still relevant today 

Despite newer alternatives like xAPI and cmi5, SCORM remains a cornerstone of e-learning due to its practicality and compatibility. Here are some reasons why it continues to be widely used: 

• Legacy LMS integration: Many organizations rely on older LMS platforms that are fully compatible with SCORM but may not support newer standards. 

• Compliance and reporting needs: SCORM provides robust tracking features, making it ideal for industries requiring detailed compliance reporting, such as healthcare and finance. 

• Ease of use: SCORM’s standardized approach simplifies the creation and distribution of e-learning content. 

However, SCORM is not always the best choice. For instance, organizations seeking advanced tracking capabilities or mobile-friendly options may prefer xAPI. By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can determine when SCORM is the right fit for your organization’s e-learning needs. 

How to make SCORM content 

Once you create SCORM compliant courses, you’ll be able to track essential learner metrics such as: 

• Time spent on a course 

• Course results 

• Correct or incorrect answers 

• The pages viewed 

• The duration of each page view 

xAPI can also be considered for organizations that want to track offline events, such as job performance and performance support. But for SCORM, let’s break down the process step by step: 

Choose an authoring tool 

The first step is to select SCORM authoring tools to make sure your content meets compliance standards. There are many versions of SCORM available now so it’s important to select one that’s relevant to your needs and is compatible with your LMS. These tools come in various formats: 

• Desktop-based tools: Installed on local computers, offering robust functionality but limited collaboration. 

• Cloud-based tools: Allow collaboration and updates in real-time, ideal for distributed teams. 

• Self-hosted tools: Provide full control but require maintenance and technical expertise. 

These tools are categorized by how they are accessed, ensuring flexibility in delivering effective learning courses to diverse audiences. Your choice will depend on where and how your learners will access the content. For example, if your learner segment is highly mobile and learns on the go, it would be critical for your authoring tool to support swipe and scroll features. The screen should also be responsive across various devices: desktop, laptop, or mobile. 

Another thing to note is the content creation features you’ll have. The types of activities you can create, like quizzes, videos, or simulations, vary from tool to tool. So it’s important to choose a tool that offers the activities you want to engage your learners in. 

Customize settings to suit your employees 

Customization is key to creating engaging and relevant SCORM content. Authoring tools often allow you to tailor navigation buttons, menus, and icons to align with your brand’s colors and style. Personalizing these settings creates a consistent and professional course content experience tailored to your organization. 

For example, an employee onboarding course could include your company’s logo, branded color scheme, and interactive navigation that guides new hires through key topics. Add multimedia elements like explainer videos and gamified quizzes to enhance interactivity and maintain learner interest. By aligning the content with your organizational identity, you foster a sense of belonging and professionalism. 

Pre-launch testing 

All the effort you put into creating world-class content will mean nothing without rigorous pre-launch testing. So, we’ll show you how to test a SCORM package: 

1. Export the SCORM package as a .zip folder. 

1. Upload it to your LMS. 

1. Test elements like design, interactivity, and reporting across multiple devices. 

Additionally, use SCORM testing tools to verify course completion statuses and resolve errors before launching. For instance, tools like SCORM Cloud can simulate various LMS environments, ensuring your content performs consistently. Gather feedback from a test group of learners to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. 

Continuous monitoring 

Even after launch, regular monitoring is essential. Use LMS analytics to track course performance, identify issues, and gather feedback for improvements. For example, if learners consistently struggle with a specific quiz, you can update the content to clarify the concept or adjust difficulty levels. Regular updates ensure your SCORM training content remains effective and aligned with learner needs while addressing evolving organizational goals. 

Monitoring also helps you track learner engagement metrics, such as time spent on modules and completion rates, to refine future training initiatives. Scheduled reviews can keep your content fresh and relevant as organizational needs evolve. 

Discover how to create a SCORM package from scratch, and learn how to track results via SCORM, LTI or xAPI. 

Best practices for creating SCORM-compliant content 

To maximize the effectiveness of your SCORM packages, consider these best practices: 

Design modular content 

Break courses into smaller, self-contained modules that learners can complete on their own. This structure allows employees to focus on specific topics without feeling overwhelmed, making the learning process more efficient. Modular content is also easier to update since changes can be made to individual sections without affecting the entire course. For example, if compliance regulations change, you can quickly revise the relevant module without reworking the entire course. 

Ensure accessibility 

Make your SCORM content inclusive by adding features that accommodate diverse learner needs. Add closed captions for videos, keyboard navigation for non-mouse users, and screen reader compatibility for visually impaired learners. For instance, an accessible e-learning module about workplace safety might include an audio description of diagrams or images. Ensuring accessibility not only meets legal standards but also fosters an inclusive learning environment. 

Test across platforms

Before rolling out your SCORM packages, rigorously test them on multiple LMSs, devices, and browsers to ensure compatibility. For example, learners using older laptops or the latest mobile devices should experience the same seamless functionality. Testing helps identify and resolve issues, such as missing navigation buttons or misaligned text, before the content reaches learners. Consider using SCORM testing tools like SCORM Cloud for comprehensive checks. 

Maintain metadata consistency  

Metadata plays a crucial role in organizing and tracking SCORM content. Use clear and consistent metadata tags for course titles, descriptions, and keywords. For instance, categorize modules by topic or skill level to make content easier to search and analyze. Well-structured metadata simplifies reporting and helps identify trends, such as which courses are most engaging or need improvement. 

Incorporate interactive elements  

Engaging learners is key to effective e-learning, and interactive features can significantly boost engagement. Use quizzes to reinforce knowledge, branching scenarios to simulate decision-making, and videos and animations to keep learners interested. For example, a sales training course could include a role-playing scenario where learners choose how to handle customer objections. Such interactions make learning more dynamic and improve retention by encouraging active participation. 

Make SCORM content with Easygenerator 

With Easygenerator, an easy-to-use SCORM-compliant authoring tool, creating SCORM content becomes seamless and budget-friendly. It meets all your training needs without requiring prior training or specialized skills. 

Just take these steps: 

• Choose the most suitable ready-to-use template from the example courses available. 

• Modify it, add your content, and drag and drop any interactive elements of your choice. There is a multitude of interactive formats available. 

• Once you’re done, check it in “preview” mode, publish it to an LMS, and download the SCORM package in your preferred version. 

• You can then set all the modalities of tracking and reporting. 

By this stage, you will have successfully exported your course to your LMS with full SCORM compliance. Your course is now fully functional including all the incorporated multimedia, design elements, complex navigation sequences, and reporting elements as desired. 

In closing 

SCORM continues to be a valuable tool for creating interoperable, trackable, and reusable e-learning content. By understanding its history, relevance, and implementation process, you can effectively integrate SCORM into your training strategy. From selecting the right authoring tool to following best practices, creating SCORM-compliant content is achievable and beneficial for organizations of all sizes. 

With Easygenerator, the process becomes even simpler, allowing you to focus on delivering impactful training experiences.  

You’ll not only learn how to create SCORM content but also enable your authors to do so with no learning curve!