Digital Workshop

Hi,

I am trying out the new SCORM wizard in v7, and would like to see if a basic SCORM pub will work in an LMS that I use.

When I import the Opus-generated manifest file (generated as part of the zip folder's contents by the Wizard) and preview the "course" in the LMS, I get an error message saying that the SCORM API cannot be located (see attached screenshot).

Does anyone have a basic ("Hello World" or similar) Opus-created SCORM sample (whether created in Opus 6 or 7) that I can test in my LMS?

Kind Regards,

Opus 7.0 includes a scorm test suite publication that checks that everything is running smoothly.

C:\Program Files\Opus Pro 7\SCORM Test Publications



Mack

Thanks, Mack.

This is exactly what I was looking for.

Interestingly, I used the Plexus SCORM test pub: it displayed OK in the LMS, but that error message still displayed over the pub's first page until I clicked OK to close it.

I am testing using a desktop LMS preview. I wonder if the 'can't locate API' error message will go away if I try previewing on a web site? (a little more involved, since it requires setting up an MSSQL db for the LMS on the site).

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

I'd image that the publication will run regardless of whether it finds the API - but without it, then you will not be able to send / receive data.

What LMS and browser are you using?

Mack

Hi Mack,

FireFox and the LMS is KnowledgePresenter.

I haven't tried the sample SCORM on the web site, but it would be a big drawback (1) to have the user view an error message each time, and (2) to not be able to record data to the db (like number of attempts to take a quiz, quiz scores, etc.).

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

KP's LMS is a commercial offering, so there's no easy way for me to test it. However, all the bumph on their website states that the LMS part of KP Pro is SCORM 1.2 compliment so you should be able to do this.

It does state though that the local development requirements are different to playback one which require IIS and ASP.

I'd try the online system and use both IE and FF with any script blocks turned off. If that fails try sending the zip to KP to run on a configured machine.

Mack

Thanks, Mack, for your suggestions.

When I get a little time, I can configure the db on my site, upload and test there.

Yes, my experience is that testing a lesson uploaded to the site often produces better results.

Kind Regards,

Hi Mack,

Set up a MySQL db on my site, uploaded the Opus-created course as a test, and it successfully worked in the LMS. And, no error message about not locating the API.

Next step: to create and test a SCORM 1.2 course with a few pages and navigation between them.

Using Opus Pro v7: the SCORM wizard is great!

Kind Regards,

Sounds like you're saying S'corm-ucopia ??

Hi Larry,

This SCORM wizard in v7 makes it much easier to create SCORM pubs. But as a novice using this Opus feature, I have a way to go to get it working beyond first steps.

While the test pub displayed in the LMS, it was the initialization screen. This should have only displayed momentarily and then moved to the contents. However, the page had scripting "errors" which probably account for not being able to go forward to view the sample's content. The clock counter, however, worked, so all-in-all, as a first try, it's progress.

To improve learning Opus SCORM, it would be a help if I could locate a 'how to write' a basic project. A step-by-step tutorial would be a bigger help. Hopefully, coming along.

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

Glad the live test worked. A few tips:

Excuse the pun, but don't get too wrapped up in SCORM. It doesn't actually do that much and there is a tenancy when reading about it, that it can communicate a lot of data between your program and the host. Although Opus has the mechanisms to pass any CMI values, most of the LMS I've looked at only have a small range of values available. One basically allowed you to read the user name and record the status of the lesson.

There was a tip somewhere, that I'd read, might be the Opus help, that says plan out what data is recorded and test these elements work with your LMS before embarking on your project.

Before you start, look over this site: http://www.scorm.com/ - they provide some excellent explanations about SCORM and have lists of the CMI Data Models which you can work from.

Lastly, if KP can use mySQL as the database, do - it's better than MSAccess. Plus, it's worth considering installing XAMPP - that way you'll have a working server and mySQL on a local machine. KP should be able to connect through localhost.

Nearly forgot, learn to love DW's new quick publish - as you cannot preview SCORM - this is the best addition to a program ever!

Enjoy,

Mack

I may live to regret this but I believe we can guarantee our SCORM conformance. That is - if you find an LMS that doesn't work for you, let us know and we'll make it work. But with one big proviso - if the LMS provider has made the API available in some proprietory way and won't co-operate with our efforts (probably because they want you to buy their content creation tool) then there isn't anything we can do.

Also as mackavi says - SCORM conformance is very basic. It is really just the mechanism for communication. What and how you communicate has to be built in your Opus publication and reported using the SetValue and GetValue script commands.

We've tried to put a lot into the help to introduce SCORM and how it works in Opus. We'll continue to work to improve that documentation as we do with all aspects of the program.

Paul Harris

Hi,

Thanks Mack and Paul for these replies and suggestions.

I think that the LMS that I am using will work with v7 SCORM, but as a novice at this, I am probably not doing something correctly. All I did was publish the Plexus SCORM sample, import its manifest file into the LMS and try to run it on my site (I successfully used MS SQL Server for the db).

I was able to run the sample from within the LMS, but (1) I only got a permanently showing initialization page and (2) the page had script errors (that probably prevented it from moving to the correct next page.)

The LMS that I am using is an enterprise version of KnowledgePresenter, latest version, and it can be used for what KP would call third-party 1.2 SCORM lessons. From what I can see, it depends on importing the manifest, which then automatically included the Opus sample.

Mack, I am really not looking for getting alot of data. What I mainly think I need is the manifest file in order to run any Plexus-based Opus pub in the LMS, not for data, but just to run it in there. The LMS has viewing/content management features, especially an eCommerce feature, integrating payment with PayPal, that is all I am initially trying to use.

So, I would be quite happy if I could simply take a Plexus-based pub (using the Pro v7 SCORM template and Wizard), with a regular Opus chapter, pages, and get it to run inside the LMS. Then I could use the eCommerce feature. No need for data, reports, etc. But, I think, in order to get LMS's eCommerce working, the SCORM scripts would need to run without errors. (I wonder if all I need is the manifest file, to allow incuding the pub inside the LMS, plus a start script on a first page and an end script on a final page to accomplish this?)

Kind Regards,

Hi Stephen,

Don't know if it's UK only, but the man in charge of SCORM for KP is David Webster.

Yes, you'd still need to package as SCORM even if you don't intend on communicating between the SCO and the LMS as the manifest will tell the LMS how the package is organised.

It's probably a decent way to allow the sale of on-line courses as it's prevents them being stolen.

As for Paul's points, this is the first version of Opus that Interaktiv are happy to use to develop SCORM based materials. We pushed it in all directions during Beta and DW's Dave has worked miracles getting everything singing and dancing together.

Yes, communication can be basic, but this is an LMS idiosyncrasy, and ironic as the purpose of SCORM is shareable and yet the CMI Data Model is not full implemented across the board.

Nevertheless, working SCORM in Opus 7.0 is BRILLIANT because Plexus allows for the creation of awesome on line applications and the with a few clicks you can package up your SCO and distribute to clients to drop-in and use with their LMS.

A lot more can be done by us as designers, and will be done of course but now we're building on solid foundations and have tipped the playing field in favour of Opus.

Mack

Hi Mack,

(Dave Webster is KP managing director and brilliant at SCORM/eLearning.)

I too am very enthusiastic about the possibilities that the new SCORM features in Pro v7 provide. Wonderful possibilities that take the already extraordinary capability of Opus Pro and Flex features and place these in an LMS. WOW!!!

Returning to the issue at hand: is there a way to take a very basic Plexus pub (1 chapter, 2 pages: page 1: "Hello World"with a button to go forward to page 2: "The End"), put it into an Opus SCORM pub, use the SCORM wizard to generate the zip folder with its manifest file and contents, and get this to run in my LMS?

Initially, that's all I am trying to do.

Kind Regards,