Forum Discussion
Dynamic SCORMs
We use Rise to develop many of our interactive lessons. The platform is superior to the others we use in that it offers more flexibility when designing sections and offers a wide variety of question types (though I wish it was expanded for quizzes which is limited to multiple choice and multiple response). Moreover, developers can create in Storyline and add a block template to Rise when something isn't available.
Does Rise have (or are the developers working on) dynamic content? In other words, is there a way for users to correct a typo or question error on the Rise site that would then update within the SCORM package on the LMS (we recently transitioned from Moodle to Schoology). I have tested other platform's dynamic SCORM packages that are capable of doing this without having to re-download from its site and re-upload into the LMS. While Rise is superior in many ways, the dynamic aspect has been a point of concern for many other creators, administrators, and teachers, and I have not been able to figure out a way to make Rise dynamic.
- SamHillSuper Hero
This is not possible and is not something commonly seen for SCORM content as significant changes to SCORM content can impact the tracking and could cause the content to behave erratically.
Both Storyline and Rise require that the content is edited in the authoring tool, published to the required format and then uploaded to the delivery system.
I think the kind of behaviour you are looking for tends to be more common among systems that provide their own authoring tools where the content and system are tightly coupled.
- RachelLiveseyCommunity Member
Since the Rise SCORMs aren't dynamic, the other developers, admin, and teachers are hesitant to use Rise, as our LMS (Schoology) does not allow us to simply replace the package but rather requires that we fully delete and reupload the SCORM. Unfortunately this causes a lot of issues between the gradebooks in our LMS and SIS.
The other developers, admin, and teachers lean towards Genial.ly because it offers dynamic content. Ultimately, you download its SCORM package and upload it into the LMS but can then edit the SCORM (aside from the download settings) on its platform and it automatically changes; this is good for things like typos or feedback, as the platform notes on the website that adding/deleting questions or changing interactive content/navigation will result in the issues you spoke about in your post. While I see the benefits of Genial.ly in some contexts, there are other scenarios when Rise makes much more sense to use.
I wonder if there could be a work around; whereby, the Rise SCORM could be published to Review 360 and then somehow embedded into the LMS. Even in that scenario, I don't think that it would be editable.
Thank you Sam for your input! I greatly appreciate it.
- SamHillSuper Hero
Hi RachelLivesey I think in your scenario an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) solution would be the best solution, although it does come with risks.
FTP would allow you to upload the files directly to the existing directory, allowing you to replace the current course files. This method would allow you to make updates without impacting enrolments, persisted data etc.
There are risks though:
- Corrupted data: Structure changes to a course (remove/add pages, topics, panels) would likely result in any current user enrolments experiencing corrupted session data as the course attempts to return the user to a page, topic, panel that no longer exists. If the structure never changes and edits are likely to be amending text you would be OK.
- Cached files: After uploading new files, depending on how the server is configure, the user could access old versions of the files if they have previously launched the course and the files have been cached in their browser. Some servers are configured to ensure new files replace cached files, but users may need to clear their local cache to see the new files.
It sounds unusual that you can't just upload a new version of the course and archive the old one. I would triple check this with the LMS provider as there may be a solution which is similar to FTP but completed within the system via an upload.
Do you know the brand name of the LMS e.g Moodle, Blackboard, Success Factors etc.