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4 Replies Last post: 28-Oct-2008 09:02 by RogerBroadie  
Click to view marshal's profile Level 2
marshal
20 posts since
10-Dec-2007

17-Aug-2008 10:57

Testing scorm packages

Have we already covered this? One of my hats has me developing packages for schools' VLEs and the decision has been taken that SCORM gives a sort of useful wrapper effect that should mean something will run on all 10 approved VLEs. Of course, that's not the case - I've already got a package that runs fine on one but (unless you remove all the metadata) won't install on another. The various companies involved don't seem to have much in the way of tech support (actually, 8 out of 10 haven't even replied to e-mails) . So, and this question is directed at Becta as much as other readers, has anyone found a reliable tool that would let me confidently say to people, yes - that will run on your system?

Just thought I'd ask :O)

Marshal

Click to view KevM's profile Level 1
KevM
7 posts since
16-Jul-2008
1. 21-Aug-2008 11:12 in response to: marshal
Re: Testing scorm packages

Try www.capterra.com/learning-management-system-software they list most of the software available, with downloadable demos and websites.

Kevin

Click to view figlesias's profile Level 1
figlesias
6 posts since
01-May-2008
2. 08-Oct-2008 09:42 in response to: marshal
Re: Testing scorm packages
Hi Marshall

I've just noticed that this posting has received over 14,000 views to date and yet doesn't really provide a very practical answer for anybody trying to work out if their SCORM packages or their learning platforms are properly conformant. I hope the following will help.

ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning), the developers of SCORM, have developed a SCORM Test Suite. There are three functions of the test suite
1. To check conformance of the Learning Management System itself
2. To check conformance of Shareable Content Objects, and
3. To check conformance of Content Packages

The downloadable tool for testing Objects and Packages is fairly user friendly with a basic understanding of the Object/Package you're testing and although I haven't used it myself the LMS Test Packages provided for testing the Learning Platform look very straight forward. Both are available from the ADL website.

http://www.adlnet.gov/Downloads/DownloadPage.aspx?ID=277

I believe you're absolutely right that the differences in interpretation of the Becta specification for Learning Platforms has lead to a situation where the 10 don't all manage SCORM packages in the same way. However, at least using the tools I've suggested you can be sure that you're creating content to the correct standard. Unfortunately, that won't necessarily mean that they will then go into any of the platforms!

Fiona
Click to view marshal's profile Level 2
marshal
20 posts since
10-Dec-2007
3. 27-Oct-2008 10:27 in response to: figlesias
Re: Testing scorm packages

Fiona said:

+"However, at least using
the tools I've suggested you can be sure that you're creating content
to the correct standard. Unfortunately, that won't necessarily mean
that they will then go into any of the platforms!"+

Just the problem at the moment - some providers I've contacted seemed genuinely surprised at the request for testing facilities, and the only one out of 'the 10' to give me a crack at their system soon turned up an 'issue'. I do think, if we are to move forward with VLE content, someone needs to get some sort of centrally based system together to help with this. I suppose I'm thinking of some sort of independent, non-commercial organisation with plenty of expertise and funding who might have the power to somehow 'approve' VLEs and thus put pressure on to ensure that standards were met and content deveopers could confidently enter the market. Wait a minute.... :O)

Marshal
Click to view RogerBroadie's profile Level 2
RogerBroadie
14 posts since
14-Jul-2008
4. 28-Oct-2008 09:02 in response to: marshal
Re: Testing scorm packages

Hi Marshall and all.

SCORM is a minefield because within the reference model companies can implement the run-time in different ways. Companies working with SCORM packages need to support the SALTIS initiative (www.saltis.org) which is trying to bring some sense into the whole field of interoperability.

Here at Frog we have implemented the SCORM packaging standard. We provide a SCORM self-test site for publishers (email Partners@Fogtrade.com for access to this) which they are finding pretty friendly to use, so they can check packages load and run. We use the very reputable Icodeon SCORM engine so they are having few issues to resolve.

However SCORM run-time is a different scale of issue altogether, and there is no agreed way of implementing it. Even the BBC with their J@M service did not help to promote a common approach. So until a common approach is agreed and insisted on in UK, a SCORM package running in the Frog lesson planner just reports a single score to the markbook. The Frog VLE does not interact with the SCORM package with regard to any intermediate scores or routing.

You are right Marshall that this is an issue for Becta, but to be honest we have no requests from Frog schools for anything beyond SCORM packaging, they seem to be putting much more emphasis on creative use of ICT than on the SCORM model of 'independent learning using SCORM e-learning objects', which was a central drive of the Becta learning platforms spec (and which is an FE/industry e-learning approach which does not fit well with the educational approach of most schools).

Roger.

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