Digital Workshop

I agree with Fred that things should be easier. I had to read through many long documents and figure out some technical complexitities to actually get anything working to SCORM standards. I share your frustration Fred. I should note a couple of things that may help both DW and yourself:

First of all a test suite is available at the ADL site: http://www.adlnet.org/downloads/index.cfm
There is a simulated test suite, and a runtime environment. A bit of set up is required for the java stuff, but not too bad since the procedure is spelled out on the java homepage on how to properly install it on your system so it will operate with the ADL test suite. WARNING make sure you use the supported version of java (Java 2 SDK SE 1.4.2_07 is supported by ADL, but not 1.4.2_09). The versions supported can be found in another long document, this time the ADL installation read me file.

The 'wrapper' of the published version of OPUS contains the script language to find and initialize the API (the mechanism to communicate with the LMS through the browser). It doesn't work. At least not in the ADL test suite. I had to work around that by copying code i found in a working SCORM compliant sample and pasting it in the published OPUS HTM file. I did this by opening (launching) the HTM to start the published CBL and once the browser opened I selected view --> source and pasted the API search function there. It appears to be working.

Within this same 'wrapper' (bottom section of java code) is language to locate the IO plug-in. This is not checking to see that the latest Plexus plugin is installed. This in not working for end-users that already have the older version plugin installed on their system. That is currently my roadblock; to differentiate between the older version of Plugin and the newer PLEXUS plugin (those with the older version get the error DWVectorAnim.dll file not found).


DW would be doing everyone a great service if they can modify the SCORM template supplied with OPUS 04 XE to better work with the SCORM standard and post it ASAP.

Another template that i would recommend is one that would do the 'packaging' of the course for import into a SCORM compliant LMS. I managed to get the free "Reload" program supplied at the ADL site to generate the needed XLM file (to keep things simple forget the meta-data stuff, each CBL is one SCO (the published HTM) and one web content (Ilm)). The XLM file contains the information for each of these files (HTM and ILM), or assets, so the LMS can reference that these are present when importing and exporting files from one LMS to another.

Using the somewhat clumsy steps to modify the 'wrapper' so it can find and initialize the API, and packaging the published OPUS CBL i have managed to pass the ADL test suite for SCORM conformity. So it is possible to have OPUS work with SCORM, but it's not easy.

If only the plug-in issue could be resolved I can be confident that end users with the older version plug in can view my courses without the show stopping error.

I am a big OPUS fan, since the days of Illuminatu 4, and I refuse to drop the time invested with this product to start learning the other widely used authoring tool available to create SCORM compliant course the likes of OPUS.

Roger
Canada
ILm 04, Opus PRO, XE, 4.5.
WindowsXP

In theory, you should be able to create your content and publish it as a Flex (SWF) output and then just use a simple HTML wrapper for the Flex file. Consider this to be one SCO. To be SCORM conformant, all you would then need to do is find JavaScript code to tell the SCORM conformant LMS that the SCO is launching and then closing at the appropriate time.

Now, remember, I said in theory, as I have not tested this out, but should be possible. Perhaps that would be easier. But the real gotcha is if you want tracking or anything more involved that telling the LMS "I'm starting - I'm ending", then you would definitely be needing assistance.

I really don't buy the argument that DW doesn't have the infrastructure for this. It seems more like a veiled "we don't have the time nor inclination". This has been brought up for a good 2-3 years and nothing has been done. I realize Opus was initially just a multimedia program, but when you specifically highlight e-learning on the website, then you'd better make sure it is up to par with current e-learning standards.

I agree that DW could do more since this a an area full of opportunities for those of us that use OPUS.

Using the Opus Flex sounds pretty slick. Never tried that route. I stuck with modifying the supplied SCORM template since tracking was important and it contained some built-in java language to do this. I am not a programmer but I even managed to include the extra data communication elements that the LMS requested (lesson status, ID, student name, score, session time). This makes the compliance classification has SCORM RTE1+Mandatory.


I have attached the ADL test results. Although it says that the test suite results aren't valid unless verified by a recognized third party, I know that they are valid because i worked out each bug one by one and finally got the end results i wanted (took 2 weeks, but hey, it had to be done. Learning Macromedia would have taken longer).

Again it is possible, but it's not easy.

Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL)
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM®) Version 1.2
Test Suite Version 1.2.7
Self Test Log
Test Identification Information:
Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 4:57:39 AM
Content Package Product: SCO_2_1_beta
Content Package Version: 60
Content Package Vendor/Developer: VISTA

******************************************
Reading and parsing the Manifest.
This may take a few minutes, please be patient.
******************************************

***************************************************
Manifest Test Conformance Summary
The manifest is well-formed
The manifest is valid against the controlling documents
The manifest is valid against the SCORM Application Profiles
The manifest does NOT contain extensions

Click here to view complete manifest test log

***************************************************



=============== Meta-data Testing ==============
Testing meta-data found within the package
=============== Meta-data Testing ==============



***************************************************
Testing next meta-data file:
---for parent element: manifest
---with ID: MultipleSCOManifest


Meta-Data Test Conformance Summary
Meta-data is well-formed
Meta-data is valid against the Schema
Extension element(s) have not been used
Click here to view complete meta-data test log


=============== SCO Test ==============
Testing SCOs found in Content Package
=============== SCO Test ==============

=======================================
The following SCOs were found in the package
C:/ADL/TestSuite1_2_7/TestSuite/contentpackage/tempdir/PackageImport/SCO_2_1_beta.htm
=======================================

Test Identification Information:
Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 4:58:01 AM
SCO: C:/ADL/TestSuite1_2_7/TestSuite/contentpackage/tempdir/PackageImport/SCO_2_1_beta.htm

Starting Self Test

Loading the Sharable Content Object
Attempting to Launch SCO
C:/ADL/TestSuite1_2_7/TestSuite/contentpackage/tempdir/PackageImport/SCO_2_1_beta.htm

SCO is searching for the API Adapter
SCO was able to find the API Adapter

LMSInitialize() has been invoked
LMSInitialize() finished successfully

LMSGetValue(cmi.core.student_id) has been invoked
Value returned from LMS: [123456]
LMSGetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSGetValue(cmi.core.student_name) has been invoked
Value returned from LMS: [Rogerp]
LMSGetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSGetValue(cmi.core.score.raw) has been invoked
Value returned from LMS: []
LMSGetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSGetValue(cmi.core.lesson_location) has been invoked
Value returned from LMS: []
LMSGetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSSetValue(cmi.core.lesson_status,passed) has been invoked
LMSSetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSSetValue(cmi.core.session_time,00:00:14) has been invoked
LMSSetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSSetValue(cmi.core.score.raw,100) has been invoked
LMSSetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSSetValue(cmi.core.lesson_location,Unit_COMP) has been invoked
LMSSetValue() finished successfully

LMSGetLastError() has been invoked
Last Error: 0
LMSGetLastError() finished successfully

LMSFinish() has been invoked
LMSFinish() finished successfully

SCO is no longer initialized

SCORM 1.2 Run-Time Environment Conformant
SCO-RTE1+Mandatory
Features Supported:
API Support
Find an LMS provided API Adapter
Execution State:
LMSInitialize()
LMSFinish()
Data Transfer:
LMSGetValue()
LMSSetValue()
State Management:
LMSGetLastError()
Data Model Support
SCORM Run-Time Environment Data Model
cmi.core.student_id
cmi.core.student_name
cmi.core.score.raw
cmi.core.lesson_location
cmi.core.lesson_status
cmi.core.session_time

==========================================


====================================


Package is SCORM Version 1.2 ADLCP-PIF1 Conformant

Successful outcome of this test does not constitute ADL Certification unless the test was conducted by an ADL Certified Auditor

I find it hard to believe that some Opus users have not achieved satisfactory SCORM -- Opus interaction.
It would be nice if one of the more generous ones actually posted a working example.

cheers
Paul

We are looking into the problems highlighted with the existing script wrapper. We are also looking into providing further assistance in creating SCORM compliant content using Opus.

Opus has all the functionality required to create SCORM compliant material, the wrapper we have supplied provides shortcuts to setting the SCORM requirements up.

Opus does not provide a one button solution to creating a complete SCORM-compliant LMS and its content. It was not intendedto.

What we are now trying to do is provide a sample LMS connected to an example publication so that customers can refer to this example.

Paul Harris

Cheers DW thanks Paul Harris! This really needed to be completed and adds value to your fine product.

Right ON! The sooner the better.
Thanks DW

Roger

We have tried like 6 different products to develop E-learning products. And i chose and love Opus, but now i have to convert a few products to scorm compliant. And what i read here isn't making me very happy. I can build websites and know my way around in Opus, but never ever had to deal with a xml file or manifest..... I really hope Opus will come with something to help us minihackers to fix a scormbased course

Any news int the area of SCORM or AICC examples/samples/tutorials?
Anyone?

I've been watching this topic and not much movement on it at all!

I have had success in a crude prototype that passes the SCORM 1.2 standard and also have a pretty robust AICC prototype (not tested by an AICC testsuite, but have the prototype working in an AICC LMS environment -- FILE BINDING).

I tried to post my crude SCORM proto in the past without any luck, some permission or clearance must be required.

What are some of your questions and maybe I can help out/share in hopes of advancing the developement of the SCORM prototype to have it evolve into something elegant that you expect from DW.

Roger thanks for the response. First off I would like to be able to understand how to link a courseware publication to a scorm server through example of course. I have used EasyPHP to set up my PHP environment and then install ATutor as my SCORM server. My questions are:

1.) What files must I have running on client and server?
2.) What variables I would need to establish within my pub
3.) How do I communicate with the server/database

If you have test environment with everything I can load on my PC I'd like to set it up and play with it.

Glad to be able to help you carib. E-mail me at rogpomerleau@vista-training.com and i will replay with the 1 mb prototype for SCORM

... Why not? This is the only way to make this option available for the people who rather create content than reading all this programming stuff and code examples.

Other tools can do it, so why not Opus?

And btw. opus should not create a LMS but only SCORM-compliant learning packages.

This is getting a little pathetic. I called you guys 2 months ago, and you people said it was at the top of your to-do list. And still we're left in the dark. Customers are getting a bit pissed off because i can't give them a concrete answer when the courses i developed will be scorm compliant.
We found a $1400,- solution, those people will dive into Opus and figure out themselves how to make it scorm compliant. But isn't it a bit strange that you, producer of Opus, leave us customers in the dark and force us to spend this much money on a 3th party to solve a problem that takes you months to explain to us. Why don't you help us.

Sorry should have made it clear before. The new 5.5 update has updated the SCORM script wrapper in Opus so it now passes the current compliance test.

We still hope to produce a practical example and tutorial in due course. But the attempts we have so far made with specialist third parties have been impractical. Not surprisingly those who have mastered SCORM properly (even amongst our own users) are not overly keen to make the the solution generally available in a package as cheap as Opus.


Paul Harris