DOD updates e-learning standard

A new edition of the Defense Department’s Web-based e-learning standard used by government, commercial and international agencies, was released today.

The standard is named the Advanced Distributed Learning Sharable Content Object Reference Model 2004. It ensures the learning experience and performance data tracking is consistent in the distribution of training courses via the Internet and allows for online collaboration between users, DOD said.

The new version is the fourth edition of the standard, DOD said.

“The proper use of the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) reduces training time or training costs by a third, by encouraging organizations to reuse established content and reformat that content for their needs,” said Robert Wisher, director of the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative.

Developed by DOD in collaboration with industry and academic partners, SCORM has become a de facto government, international and commercial standard, the department said.

The latest edition corrects previous system defects, adds enhancements that were a direct result of community collaboration, and increases SCORM’s interoperability across learning management systems, DOD officials said.

More information on SCORM can be found at http://www.adlnet.gov.