D2L - SCORM

Jan 16, 2015

Hi all,

Quick question, our new LMS (D2L) provider is saying it does not adhere to either SCORM 1.2 or 2004 or Tin Can for our installation  - because those standards don't support mobile devices.   Could I get some feedback in this? - thx G

13 Replies
Alexandros Anoyatis
Garry Hargreaves

does not adhere to either SCORM 1.2 or 2004 or Tin Can for our installation  - because those standards don't support mobile devices

 

You're kidding, right? That's the answer they give to actual active clients?

Even if the statement was true (which it definitely isn't), that's not a legitimate reason to not support a series of standards.

A more honest answer re SCORM - which holds merit - would have been because of security concerns.

Steve Flowers

Is this Desire2Learn, Garry? As far as I remember (years ago) I was able to add SCORM components to a course structure.

Agree with all of the above. xAPI and SCORM are both communication protocols. Zero reason why they shouldn't be supported on any modern device. 

Might have some trouble on a flip phone. But a smart device should run SCORM and xAPI no problem.

Garry Hargreaves

Hi Alexandros, I wish I was kidding.  I am not part of the LMS selections, however have experience with other Tier 1 systems like Plateau and SABA.  SO I'm getting confusing information - lack of support for mobile devices is the current reason for our install.

Still trying to find who, what , why and when. Thanx for the responses.

 

 

Garry Hargreaves

Hi Steve, Yes D2L = Desire2Learn = which is now Brightspace (by D2L).  I've been out the systemic selection and implication of the LMS rollout for a while.  So I just wanted to check my facts before asking to some pertinent questions. This is not my gig, however I was concerned for any long term future adherence to non-standard assessments items for the content we are about to build.  Non-SCORM, Non-Tin Can could mean we are locked into a some type of propriety system.

 

 

 

Lori Sullivan

We have been using D2L since 2008. We run both SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 courses without issue. Courses act as expected when deployed on a mobile device (within limits associated with the authoring tool).  We have developed courses using Knowledge Presenter, Lectora, Storyline 1 and 2.

To date, we have not published xAPI (Tin Can) courses. Will be following this thread with interest.

Bob S

Hi Garry,

So it is certainly possible to launch Scorm content on a non-Scorm adherent LMS. The real trick comes on the tracking/scoring side of course.  Here is where platforms that don't support mastery_score or other Scorm protocols can get you in trouble.   

Not pretty, but if it comes to it, you can almost always launch the learning package as content only, and then use the LMS's onboard quizzing tool to author, record, and track the assessments for you.  I've done it that way lots of times on proprietary systems.

Garry Hargreaves

It would appear that the information I was given is correct re: D2L not wishing to run SCORM on mobile devices is correct?   While the content imports correctly into LMS, "there appears to be a programmed constraint where D2L doesn't permit SCORM content to be played on a mobile device unless you switch to the desktop version of the LMS".

This does not appear to be an issue with the SCORM spec as far as we've been able to tell, rather a decision made by D2L (maybe to limit the use of JS on mobile devices – maybe it's a battery life issue). If anyone has some experience with D2L not wishing to use SCORM standards due top above issue – could you let me know.  Lori, what type of devices are you running?

 

Bob S

So let me get this straight....  If you publish a Flash course in a different standard (or no standard) then the LMS will allow it to launch on mobile devices. But if you try and launch the same content re-packaged (and presumable imported) in a SCORM wrapper it will not launch on mobile devices?

If the answer to the above is "yes", then again I make the suggestion brought up earlier in the thread.... Forgot SCORM tracking/reporting and use the LMSs proprietary quizzing tool. Proprietary (non-SCORM) LMSs were quite common in the financial/banking industry for a while and this solution almost always worked.  Alternatively, you can always switch to a new platform...

Lori Sullivan

Garry, we follow the process mentioned by Bob.  We use D2L tools for tracking and reporting. These tools work on mobile devices. Our typical "course" looks a bit like this:

Pre-Assessment (D2L Tool - used for tracking and reporting)
Course content (SCORM 1.2 or 2004, or not SCORM at all, depending on the client)
Post-Assessment (D2L Tool - used for tracking and reporting)
Course Evaluation (D2L Tool - used for tracking and reporting)

Since we use a variety of authoring tools and content delivery methods, the D2L tools provide us with a consistent tracking mechanism. Certainly not the most effective method, but one that we have made work for us for the time being. 

It should be noted that we started using D2L long before SCORM and mobile devices were a significant consideration when selecting an LMS.

Gina Voss

Hi I'm wondering if you can help. We just got D2L and I was able to upload a course from Lectora. However, I'm getting an error message on the last page and I know it's due to the action on the last page of the Lectora file. I have created about 7 different scenario actions and they ALL are giving an error message. (On Show Mod Var Lesson_Status OR CMI : passed, completed, Completed, etc.) I've also published to 1.2 and 2004. Any advice would be appreciated. I am the only developer and Trivantis isn't able to help. I'm stumped. Thank you very much!

Lori Sullivan

Hi Gina,

I haven't used Lectora in a while. However, I have been able to successfully upload and run Lectora courses in D2L. Have you tried uploading your course to Scorm Cloud to see if it is throwing the same errors?  I'd be happy to upload in our D2L system as well.

Also, be sure you are using the Import/Export/Copy Components function (Import Components specifically) to upload your course into D2L. Do not upload the zipped file using the Manage Files function.

This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.