We previously discussed the basics of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and how they can perform competency assessments on employees to inform leadership on capabilities. To better understand LMS we need to learn more about the technical standards and different communication protocols within LMSs’.

e-Learning software uses technical standards to determine how online learning content and LMSs interact with each other. This creates interoperability between modules published using these standards and compliant LMSs. The two most common technical standards are the Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) and Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM).

What Are SCORM & AICC Exactly?

As a set of technical standards for eLearning software products, SCORMtells programmers how to write their code so that it can “play well” with other e-learning software. It was developed by the United States Department of Defense through the Advanced Distributed Learning initiative, which was established in 1997. SCORM content and LMSs are accessible, durable, interoperable, and reusable. SCORM is the de facto industry standard for e-learning interoperability, governing how online learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) communicate with each other.

The Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) is an international non-profit association of technology professionals. When a course is AICC-compliant, it means that it complies with at least one of the nine AICC Guidelines and Recommendations (AGRs). You do not have to be developing courses for the aviation industry to use this technical standard. AICC Guidelines and Recommendations (AGRs) are used to remain compliant and maintain the technical standard. The basic concept of these technical standards is that you can build a compliant module in an authoring program and post it to a compliant LMS. All of your content, data, and protocols show up as a functioning e-learning module!

What Is Interoperability?

Interoperability is the main benefit of an LMS, meaning the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information to work with other products or systems in either implementation or access, without any restrictions. A standard protocol developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium is Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). LTI integration allows services like VoiceThread to integrate with your Learning Management System (LMS) as single-sign-on tools.

So, What Does This Mean?

Let’s look at a real-world analogy to better understand the importance of technical standards. Compact discs (CDs), for example, are manufactured using a set of standards. When you purchase a CD, you know it will play on your CD player regardless of the type of brand you have. You can put that CD into the player in your car or laptop, without a second thought. If these standards didn’t exist, CDs wouldn’t be able to play in just any CD player. They would have to be formatted differently to fit each type and brand of player.

Standards like SCORM and AICC ensure that e-learning courses and Learning Management Systems communicate properly with each other, just like standards for CD formatting to ensure that all CDs work with all CD players. The leading e-learning authoring tools (Adobe Captivate, Articulate Studio, Articulate Storyline) allow for publishing to fit SCORM and AICC.

Why Is This Important?

Adobe Flash has been pushed into an end-of-life state. Adobe plans to end their support to Flash in 2020 and browsers will pull the plug shortly thereafter. In order to ensure that e-learning courses, browsers, and LMSs communicate properly with each other you need to convert your Flash courses to HTML5.

If you haven’t started planning for the conversion of your old Flash courses, start now! Contact us to learn more about remediating your content for longer shelf life.

What is a good LMS to use?

TalentPro is a learning management system used for blended learning, distance education, to manage your private and public face-to-face classroom, track licenses, streamline the registration process of your clients, and integrate with other training provider’s APIs. TalentPro is modular, allowing for ease of further customization and enhancement if you require it. This means it is easily deployed, provides a high level of customization and self-management capabilities, and allows for interoperability between numerous LMSs. TalentPro is easy to use and classroom management ready. Our LMS provides access to the competency framework, blended learning, forums, and multiple languages. One of the most important features of TalentPro is to create streamlined communication between learners and instructors. This feature is designed to improve intercommunication and create a more suitable environment for learning.