Is PowerPoint SCORM Compliant? If you have ever tried to implement PowerPoint into your e-learning courses, then you may have come across the term SCORM Compliant.
It refers to the Software Compliance Objectives Requirements and Messaging standard – and you must know if your chosen software, like PowerPoint, is compliant with it or not!
You must know if your program of choice complies with SCORM because it gives you access to a broader range of potential learners and training providers.
This article explores how PowerPoint is SCORM Complaint and how you can make your presentation SCORM Compliant today!
What is SCORM?
The term SCORM is a contraction of the Sharable Content Object Reference Model. It is an XML specification for e-learning content developed by a consortium of vendors, standardized as an ISO Standard.
A SCORM compliant e-learning course is essentially a collection of content packaged in a standard way to be delivered to learners using any LMS (Learning Management System).
The most crucial aspect of such a delivery model is that it allows for sharing and reusing courses among different learning systems.
The majority of e-learning courses available today are developed using Adobe Captivate, formerly Macromedia Captivate. Unfortunately, this proprietary software creates course content that is not standard and hence not SCORM compliant.
What is a SCORM compliant file?
A SCORM compliant file is one that can be uploaded to a Learning Management System. This gives an educator or student access to multimedia content which can then be used for educational purposes. Many people misunderstand what a SCORM compliant file is, often mistaking it for something else such as a web page, but in fact, it is much more than that.
As discussed, a SCORM compliant file can get multimedia content onto an LMS. Therefore, it makes it easier for teachers and students as they no longer have to upload content themselves.
The beauty of using SCORM compliant software is that you can keep all your content in one place – rather than having it spread across multiple presentations or documents.
Is PowerPoint SCORM compliant?
True, there is a general industry consensus that most eLearning programs are not built to be SCORM compliant. It is essential to note that there are examples of those that do.
A common misconception about eLearning and SCORM compliance is that it is only applicable for very advanced technical courses. The truth is that if you use free or commercial tools to create your eLearning program, chances are it will not be compliant with SCORM standards.
So, is Powerpoint SCORM compliant? The answer to that question depends on how you define SCORM compliance. If your definition of SCORM compliance is a full-blown eLearning program built with a certified authoring tool, then it is not.
However, if you are referring to PowerPoint as one of many tools used to create eLearning modules or an online course in general, then yes, it can be SCORM compliant.
How to Make PowerPoint SCORM Compliant
Most enterprises and organizations today have embraced e-learning as a tool to equip their employees with essential knowledge and skills required for better business performance.
For many enterprises, Microsoft PowerPoint is one of their primary tools for developing e-learning modules. There are several ways to convert PowerPoint presentations into SCORM compliant e-learning training content.
The first step is to use a PowerPoint conversion tool. These are available for use on both desktop and online. These tools make it easy to convert PowerPoint presentations into SCORM compliant content in just a few clicks.
To do so, all you need to do is import your PowerPoint presentation into the tool and then select SCORM as your export format.
If you are using a desktop application, after converting your PowerPoint presentation to SCORM compliant content, you will also need to embed an LMS-compatible file. This ensures that when a learner browses your presentation, they can easily track their progress and take necessary tests for successful completion of your course.
You can use a tool like Adobe Captivate to convert your PowerPoint presentation into an interactive e-learning course. It’s easy to do so, and you will also find it extremely beneficial as Captivate comes with features that make it easy for you to create engaging learning experiences.
If you’re using a web-based PowerPoint conversion tool, like Adobe Captivate or iSpring, converting your presentation into an interactive e-learning course is as simple as copying and pasting a link.
This enables learners to easily access and view your presentation on their desktop or mobile device through any LMS platform.
Conclusively, though Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular tool used in e-learning courses, it can’t build a course on its own. That’s because most of PowerPoint’s objects aren’t SCORM compliant, which means they don’t travel with your content.
Nevertheless, it can become SCORM compliant if you include a Learning Management System (LMS) in your course delivery because LMS is built to be SCORM compliant.
Secondly, you can use eLearning tools or components within your PowerPoint presentation. For example, suppose you have created an interactive quiz with an authoring tool, then yes. In that case, your presentation will be SCORM compliant because it has become part of a more advanced eLearning program compliant with SCORM standards.
