SCORM

What is SCORM?

SCORM is a set of technical standards that helps e-learning products communicate with each other. An e-learning course exported as a SCORM package can be seamlessly imported, distributed, and tracked within any SCORM-compliant LMS. When a user launches a course, SCORM talks to the LMS in real-time to track completion status, time spent, scores, and quiz results. 

Example: Our L&D department uses SCORM to reliably track learner data for content within our LMS.  

SCORM, which stands for Shareable Content Object Reference Model, has helped standardize content in the e-learning industry for both course creators and LMS vendors.

The benefits of using SCORM

Even with newer standards available—like xAPI—SCORM remains the most widely used e-learning standard for LMS-based content due to its simplicity and reliability. Organizations use SCORM to track learner data like completion status, scores, time spent, and assessment performance. This allows instructional designers to gain deeper insight into what’s working well, where learners are struggling, where they drop off, and which modules need to be adjusted. 

SCORM courses are reusable and adaptable, which cuts down on operational costs.  Its interoperability with almost all learning management systems means SCORM courses will still be usable, even if you need to switch platforms. 

How to create SCORM courses

Creating SCORM content is easier than ever with modern course authoring and distribution platforms like Articulate 360. Begin by building your course within Rise or Storyline, and then export it as a SCORM package. At this stage, you can choose what you’d like tracked. Once published, test your course to see if it’s tracking learner data correctly. Then, upload to your SCORM-compliant LMS and assign it to your learners.