What is SCORM? Is a SCORM course right for us?

Read this article for a description of what the process of purchasing, testing, and integrating a 4 Seasons of Reconciliation SCORM package entails.

What is a SCORM package?

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is a standard file format for eLearning. SCORM packages are a way to take a learning resource like 4 Seasons of Reconciliation from one system to another. Another type of eLearning standard file is xAPI/TinCan, which we do not offer.

Think of purchasing a SCORM package like purchasing a software installation CD. When you purchase a SCORM package, you purchase the CD of the course. You take it to your system and install it for your learners. Learners can then interact with a copy of the course hosted on your organization's Learning Management System (LMS).

Reconciliation Education no longer has access to this copy of the course once it's on your system, and all of the admin and registration tasks will be undertaken by your team.

What are the limitations of a SCORM package purchase?

• Reconciliation Education cannot offer support to learners in your LMS. This means that all learner inquiries, help requests, and data management must be handled by your internal teams because we do not have access to your system.
• Reconciliation Education cannot retrieve any learner data for you, as the SCORM course will be stored entirely in your LMS. This includes learner credentials and certificates. This means that all reporting must be done by your team.
• In some LMS, your internal IT/LMS team may be required to manually set up the certificate and certification process to properly integrate into your LMS. Reconciliation Education can and will provide the assets to recreate the certificate, but cannot provide support for these internal processes.
• Unlike courses available in Reconciliation Education's LMS, SCORM packages cannot be updated once delivered. SCORM files are static: once we deliver the SCORM to you, that SCORM cannot be changed in any way. If you are looking to update internal links or materials provided by your organization in your course (such as links to EFAP or internally-produced videos or hyperlinks), this would require an entirely new SCORM package and setup, and may incur an additional cost.
• Selecting a SCORM package will require a technician in your organization to complete the upload and setup of your SCORM package into your own LMS. This represents a time investment for your organization, not only for setup of the final package, but in testing and providing technical specifications to optimize the course for your system.
• Reconciliation Education cannot offer direction on setup in your LMS. There are myriad options for LMS platforms, and we simply cannot be experts in them all. In order to purchase and use a SCORM package, you will need at least 1 dedicated LMS-trained IT staff member to set up your package internally and provide direction on the settings needed for your SCORM delivery.
• Before receiving a final SCORM package, all clients purchasing a SCORM package are required to run an initial test in their LMS with one of our test packages. We do this to ensure that none of our course-building technology conflicts with your organization's IT or LMS setups. For example, our videos are hosted through Vimeo, which may be restricted on your organization's internet or may require the use of a VPN to access.

When do you recommend opting for a SCORM package?

We recommend SCORM packages for organizations with more than 500 learners who have opted for an enterprise-wide license and have their own existing LMS. Successfully administrating a SCORM course program requires a dedicated team in administration, IT, and LMS services.

Remember that opting for a SCORM package means that all of the technical work, support services, reporting, and administration infrastructure will be managed by your organization, with no in-LMS support available from Reconciliation Education.