Definitions Poster

Definitions

SCORM

Shareable Content Object Reference Model. SCORM is discussed on a separate poster, but should be defined here for clarity. SCORM is simply a set of standards that makes communication possible between Learning Management Systems and Learning Objects.

LMS

Learning Management System. Examples include Angel, Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, and many others. These systems are places that provide shells where a teacher can put all of their online course materials. Most LMSs include discussion boards, grade books, assessment features, course content areas, as well as other features.

API

Application Program Interface. This code is used by the LMS to communicate between the LMS database and the learning object. The developers of the Learning Management System are responsible for the API. Learning object developers do not need to know how the API works to communicate with it, as long as the API is SCORM compliant.

SCO

Shareable Content Object. A learning object that is SCORM compliant is considered a shareable content object. Online learning objects can be anything that you can place online. Examples include simple content such as webpages with educational content perhaps with a little javascript used to ask students questions that they can respond to, interactive programs that students can manipulate, and videos with some possible places where the video pauses and a student answers questions.

JavaScript

Programming code used on web pages, in this case used by the learning object developer to communicate between the learning object and the API. The developer is responsible for making sure the javascript code is correct and communicates properly with the API.