In view of the perpetual evolution of elearning, standards have been put in place to frame this form of learning. The establishment of these standards is based on the accessibility of content, their interoperability, their sustainability as well as the possibility of modulating and reusing them. E-learning standards or commonly called “e-learning standards” aim to optimize the content available on online training platforms. Content can be in the form of videos, online courses, practical exercises, and even assessment quizzes. They must meet certain standards e-learning to allow learners to develop their skills.
To put it simply, e-learning standards support trainers in their design task. What can be standardized in pedagogy and what are these standards? Lighting.
Standardized elements in e-learning
Before discovering a non-exhaustive list of the various standards related to e-learning, it is a good idea to understand why they exist and what differentiates them from each other. In terms of e-learning, more than a dozen elements can distinguish standards, namely:
- the frame of reference of skills to be acquired according to the profession exercised
- the prioritization of training modules
- the design languages used
- the format of the resources
- the traceability of the learner's navigation activities
- metadata, i.e. general content information, technical and educational information
- portfolios
- quizzes and evaluation quizzes
- learner information
- the interoperability of systems to communicate with each other.
The creation of these learning standards meets the need for the exchange and identification of content or educational scenarios as well as online training tools. The e-learning market is in full expansion, it is essential to establish compliance rules so that users have access to quality training at all times.
AICC or the Aviation Industry CBT Committee standard
The AICC or Aviation Industry CBT Committee standard is an online learning standard. specific to American civil aviation created in 1988. Non-scalable, the AICC streamlines communication between digital platforms and its educational content. The information packs that come out are minimal. Indeed, this standard attempted to standardize vocational training. However, the AICC is currently out of date and is being replaced by other e-learning standards.
The IMS QTI standard
Although not well known, the IMS QTI standard or Information Message Service - Question & Test Interoperability also has its advantages. In XML format, it allows specify assessment formats such as quizzes or quizzes. IMS QTI also improves cross-platform management. As a result, educational data or content can be shared with other systems.
The LOM standard or Learning Object Metadata
Learning Object Metadata or LOM is a schema representing the metadata of e-learning content created by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In XML format, The LOM makes it possible to specify the semantics and syntax of educational metadata across nine basic categories, namely:
- the general
- the life cycle
- relationships
- the classifications
- the annotations
- the rights
- the metadata
- the technical aspect
- the educational aspect.
The LOM standard is mainly used From inventory to resources to allow the proper functioning of the online training system, whether it is e-learning or another method such as Mobile learning.
SCORM or the Sharable Content Object Reference Model standard
SCORM is a learning standard that adapts past standards such as AICC into a web version. It makes it possible to distribute educational content on LMS platforms and to share them: this is interoperability. This standard also works on the accessibility, sustainability and reusability of learning content. Concretely, SCORM makes it possible to design dynamic courses, save learners' results to better manage their skills.
Its latest version, commonly known as SCORM 2004 4th editing, allows users to sequence content andachieve their educational goals. SCORM allows the monitoring of the learner's journey, his results, the time he spent on the modules, etc.
The LETSI RTWS standard
The acronym LETSI RTWS stands for Learning-Education-Training Systems Interoperability Run-time Web Service. This standard was designed to bridge the differences between the SCORM and SCORM 2.0 versions. The RTWS addresses the problems that online learning standards generally encounter in optimizing communication between the platform used and the educational content.
In addition, this e-learning standard allows users to access educational training via a mobile device or Serious Games installed on a computer. Through its security system, it is even possible to learn and read content offline.
The TinCan or xAPI standard
The limitations of SCORM led to the creation of the TinCan project, which evolved and took the name xAPI in 2013. This new standard of learning better adapted to the current challenges of online training. Indeed, the xAPI is far from being a simple modernized version of SCORM. He is his successor. This e-learning standard makes it possible to trace any type of content not only on LMS platforms, but also on all web portals. It processes educational content and uses advanced technology. It is aimed at companies that wish to discuss with their staff in order to optimize their skills or acquire new ones.
However, with the xAPI, it was not possible to enjoy the packaging functions of SCORM. To fill this gap, the CMi5 was created. This e-learning standard standardizes the order of educational content, ensures their sharing and interoperability, and allows design tailor-made training modules according to the needs of business learners.
E-learning standards are not limited to this list. These are the basic standards you should know before investing in online educational training. Remember that the e-learning market is aimed at any organization that wishes to achieve specific educational objectives for its staff. Using online educational courses is an attractive alternative, as training costs are streamlined and every learner can access them., regardless of its geographical position. Knowing better the standards of these courses allows you to make a smarter choice!
