1. LMS and Content Conversion Tools for Multiple Standards
Mike Rustici
Rustici Software, LLC
SCORM
Learning. Standards. Systems.

2. Learning. Standards. Systems.
Who We Are
Software development company
Founded by veterans of the e-learning industry
Unique blend of both content and LMS development experience
Exclusively focused on SCORM and other learning standards
Active members of the ADL community
Successfully worked with dozens of clients
Learning. Standards. Systems.

3. Learning. Standards. Systems.
Our Services
LMS Implementation
Content Conversion
Tool Development
Training
Consulting
Dispute Resolution / Mediation
Learning. Standards. Systems.

4. Our Philosophy for Conversion
Abstract complexities
Consolidate standards support using a single code base
Constantly improve
Bend, but don’t break to accommodate varying interpretations
Provide extensibility to accommodate outliers
Learning. Standards. Systems.

5. Philosophy – Abstract Complexities
Clients should not have to learn intricate details of standards
We have a proprietary method for interacting with SCORM and other learning standards that empowers the content author / LMS developer by abstracting the complexities of learning standards
Learning. Standards. Systems.

6. Philosophy – Abstract Complexities
Work in concepts familiar to learning developers
Give a basic overview and provide a black box to integrate with
Provide source code, best practice examples and training
Learning. Standards. Systems.

7. Philosophy – Consolidate Standards Support Using a Single Code Base
Program against real world concepts that can easily be translated to standards
Use terms and concepts familiar to e-learning developers
Data models are close enough to enable translation
Learning. Standards. Systems.

8. Philosophy – Constantly Improve
Create solutions that go beyond the standards in an effort to overcome our clients’ problems
Integrate solutions to common problems back into common code base
Leverage experience from all of our clients
Tools have been proven to be highly reliable and have been certified in multiple applications
Learning. Standards. Systems.

9. Learning. Standards. Systems.
Philosophy – Bend, But Don’t Break to Accommodate Varying Interpretations
The standards are an excellent base from which to bring together content and learning management systems. They do not, however, solve every problem
Every vendor implements pieces of the standards differently
Standards cannot address every situation
Don’t bicker, solve the problem
Resolving compatibility issues is important. Products include significant logging and debugging capabilities
Learning. Standards. Systems.

10. Philosophy – Provide Extensibility to Accommodate Outliers
Standards are great, but companies still need to differentiate themselves
Integration through high-level learning concepts, allows easy support for new or proprietary standards
Learning. Standards. Systems.

11. Rustici Software’s Products
We offer two products that embody these philosophies
Content – SCORM Driver (formerly RSECA)
LMS – SCORM Engine (formerly SCORM Content Player or SCP)
Benefits of using these products include:
Faster time to market
Higher quality end product
Easier upgrades
Learning. Standards. Systems.

12. Learning. Standards. Systems.
SCORM Driver
Rapidly convert existing content
After performing a single conversion, content will conform to SCORM 1.1, SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 and AICC simultaneously
Easy to integrate using intuitive JavaScript functions
No knowledge of the underlying standards needed
Learning. Standards. Systems.

13. SCORM Driver – Abstract Complexities
SCORM Driver interface is simple JavaScript functions
Complexities are handled internally
Developer only needs to focus on functionality, not implementation
Function Examples – “GetBookmark”, “SetScore”, “SetPassed”, “SetReachedEnd”, “GetStudentName”
Learning. Standards. Systems.

14. SCORM Driver – Abstract Complexities
Start / Finish functions
Start ()
Finish ()
Suspend ()
TimeOut ()
Unload ()
SetReachedEnd ()
ConcedeControl()
Storing and Retrieving General Data
GetStudentID ()
GetStudentName ()
SetBookmark (strBookmark)
GetBookmark ()
SetDataChunk (strData)
GetDataChunk ()
GetLaunchData ()
WriteComment (strComment)
GetComments ()
GetLMSComments ()
Time Tracking
GetPreviouslyAccumulatedTime ()
GetSessionAccumulatedTime ()
SetSessionTime (intMilliseconds)
PauseTimeTracking ()
ResumeTimeTracking ()
GetMaxTimeAllowed ()
DisplayMessageOnTimeout ()
ExitOnTimeout ()
Testing
GetPassingScore ()
SetScore (intScore, intMaxScore, intMinScore)
GetScore ()
RecordMultipleChoiceInteraction (strID, strResponse, blnCorrect, strCorrectResponse)
Utilities
IsLoaded ()
WriteToDebug (strInfo)
ShowDebugWindow ()
GetLastError ()
GetLastErrorDesc ()
CommitData ()
State Functions
GetStatus ()
SetPassed ()
SetFailed ()
ResetStatus ()
GetEntryMode ()
GetLessonMode ()
GetTakingForCredit ()
Objectives
SetObjectiveStatus (strObjectiveID, Lesson_Status)
GetObjectiveStatus (strObjectiveID)
SetObjectiveScore (strObjectiveID, intScore, intMaxScore, intMinScore)
GetObjectiveScore (strObjectiveID)
Preferences
SetAudioPreference (PlayPreference, intPercentOfMaxVolume)
GetAudioPlayPreference ()
GetAudioVolumePreference ()
SetLanguagePreference (strLanguage)
GetLanguagePreference ()
SetSpeedPreference (intPercentOfMax)
GetSpeedPreference ()
SetTextPreference (intPreference)
GetTextPreference ()
Learning. Standards. Systems.

15. SCORM Driver – Consolidate Standards Support Using a Single Code Base
Support multiple standards after performing a single conversion
Learning. Standards. Systems.

16. SCORM Driver – Constantly Improve
Integrate support for new interpretations into the common code base
Monitor community and actual practice for misinterpretations
Customers leverage the experience of a much wider community dramatically improving compatibility
Learning. Standards. Systems.

17. Learning. Standards. Systems.
SCORM Driver – Bend, But Don’t Break to Accommodate Varying Interpretations
Make every effort possible to accommodate varying interpretations and implementations
Some examples
Interaction Result Formatting
Concede Control
Forced Commits
Exit types – default to “suspend”, avoid “logout”
Flexibility in parsing AICC messages
Magic Time Interval
Robust debugging and logging functionality
Learning. Standards. Systems.

18. SCORM Driver – Provide Extensibility to Accommodate Outliers
Our flexible architecture allows new or proprietary standards to be integrated on demand
Learning. Standards. Systems.

19. SCORM Driver – Case Study: RedHawk
In response to customer demand for SCORM conformance, RedHawk used the SCORM Driver to quickly convert their existing library.
As sales increased, RedHawk experienced a greater demand for AICC conformance and used a SCORM Driver extension to achieve AICC conformance with no additional coding.
One of RedHawk’s clients uses a proprietary LMS which requires custom integration. Rustici Software developed a new SCORM Driver extension to accommodate the client without requiring any changes to RedHawk’s content.
RedHawk (
RedHawk offers complete, one-stop ethics and compliance programs. They deliver code of conduct development, both online and instructor-led courses, Board of Director resources, consulting and a full spectrum of coaching and training materials delivered via poster, newsletter, and internet streaming technology. Their clients include Sony, Merck, Sara Lee, Halliburton and Kellogg.
Learning. Standards. Systems.

20. SCORM Driver – Case Study: Articulate
Articulate Presenter and Quizmaker are industry leading tools for rapid e-learning development
Articulate’s products already output SCORM and AICC conformant content, however they wanted to ensure that their products were the absolute best of breed
Articulate integrated the SCORM Driver into its products to unify its standards code and to ensure the broadest possible compatibility for the thousands of users of its products
Articulate (
With customers in more than 40 countries, Articulate® is the world leader in rapid e-learning and communications. Articulate is dedicated to providing powerful, intuitive technologies that enable organizations to train and communicate rapidly, widely and effectively with everyone involved in success. That's what Articulate is all about -- putting the power of advanced technology for knowledge transfer in the hands of everyone with the knowledge and need to communicate. Their goal is to ensure that you can train, motivate, inform and persuade today the people who will move your company forward.
Learning. Standards. Systems.

21. Rustici Software’s SCORM Engine
Rapidly converting existing LMS’s
Essentially a plug-in component for LMS products
LMS will be able to deliver SCORM 1.1, SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 and AICC content
Easy to integrate using a discrete set of integration points
Learning. Standards. Systems.

22. SCORM Engine – Abstract Complexities
The SCORM Engine is “LMS-agnostic”
A well defined set of integration points based on common learning terms facilitates integration
Some integration points include
“Course” association
“Assignment” association
Progress rollup
Learning. Standards. Systems.

23. SCORM Engine – Consolidate Standards Support Using a Single Code Base
Some integration work and code is required
This integration is completely separated from core player logic to facilitate updates
The existing LMS only interacts with a well-defined API
Completely skin-able to seamlessly blend with existing products
Learning. Standards. Systems.

24. SCORM Engine – Constantly Improve
Includes solutions to many common problems
Multi-lingual / multi-cultural capabilities
Two solutions to the cross domain scripting problem:
Document.domain manipulation
Run-time service on the content server
Other features:
Completely client-side sequencing engine
Non-blocking tunable server communications
Robust sequencing look-ahead algorithms
Intelligent blocked state error messages
Several deployment configurations
Optimized support for major databases
Many, many more features
Learning. Standards. Systems.

25. Learning. Standards. Systems.
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t Break to Accommodate Varying Interpretations
Many common compatibility issues already solved
Debugging features include:
API call logs
Sequencing function trace logs
Detailed pseudo-code trace logs
Imperfect manifest warnings
Learning. Standards. Systems.

26. Learning. Standards. Systems.
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t Break to Accommodate Varying Interpretations
Numerous course-level configuration settings to deal with less than perfect content and to optimize content delivery
Window sizing
Delivery method – frameset vs. new window
Control availability
Rudimentary (as opposed to “simple”) sequencing for 1.2
Parameters can be set through proprietary metadata extensions
When possible, settings are based on emerging standards
Gracefully handles slightly imperfect manifests
Allows for the importation of individual objects to facilitate LCMS behavior
Learning. Standards. Systems.

27. Learning. Standards. Systems.
SCORM Engine – Bend, But Don’t Break to Accommodate Varying Interpretations
Learning. Standards. Systems.

28. SCORM Engine – Provide Extensibility to Accommodate Outliers
Extensibility is harder to quantify
Able to support a very wide variety of LMS features, requirements and implementation styles
Everything that is not core functionality is implemented in the integration layer
Integration layer methods all accept custom configuration information allowing their implementation to be based on whichever factors the LMS developers deem necessary.
Learning. Standards. Systems.

29. SCORM Engine – Case Study : HealthStream
Enhanced their HLC LMS to support SCORM 1.2
LMS certified by ADL
ADL auditor remarked it was their smoothest certification ever
Passed certification on first attempt.
LMS supports over 1.1 million users and 40,000 daily course completions
About to release update to support 2004
Simple conversion using SCORM Engine updates provided by Rustici Software
Many return engagements to convert content libraries
Converted more than 650 courses in under 2 months for Tenet Hospitals after their failed efforts at supporting SCORM
Healthstream (
HealthStream, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSTM), based in Nashville, TN, is the leading provider of e-learning solutions to the healthcare industry.
Healthcare organizations use HealthStream's e-learning solutions to improve learning, increase compliance, and enhance organizational effectiveness for nurses, technicians, staff workers, physicians, and all clinical and non-clinical healthcare employees throughout the enterprise. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies use HealthStream's e-learning solutions to launch educational programs and reach healthcare professionals. Content providers use HealthStream's e-learning solutions to expand the reach of their programs worldwide.
Learning. Standards. Systems.

30. SCORM Engine – Case Study : HealthStream
HealthStream takes full advantage of the power of the SCORM Engine
Cross domain solutions allow for highly efficient content delivery over the Akamai network
Custom configuration information allows the HLC to scale horizontally across multiple web farms database servers in geographically dispersed data centers
Custom configuration allows the HLC to provide annotations on internally produced SCORM content
Learning. Standards. Systems.

31. SCORM Engine – Case Study: United States Marine Corps
Recognized the value of a solution pre-built by an experienced vendor
Had to overcome numerous challenges:
Worldwide content delivery network
Provide disconnected access to Marines on the battle field
Content from numerous vendors
Limited bandwidth over satellite connections
Adhere to DODI 1322.xx
SCORM Engine met all of the demanding requirements out of the box
Provided the most cost-effective solution with the least risk
So impressed with the product that another license was procured for the entire Department of the Navy
United States Marine Corps
The Marine Corps College of Continuing Education (CCE) provides a variety of Distance Education and Training opportunities for all Marines. Their online learning management system, MarineNet, provides both military and civilian education to all Marines wherever they are stationed, while their worldwide seminar program supports the Officer Professional Military Education (PME) distance education programs (DEP).
Learning. Standards. Systems.

32. SCORM Engine – Case Study: SDA Studio
Market demand in Eastern Europe demanded SCORM conformance
Working remotely across time-zones, languages and cultures we fully integrated the SCORM Engine in a matter of a couple weeks
Fully internationalized the SCORM Engine to work in Hungry and another other cultures
SDA Studio (
SDA Studio is based in Budapest, Hungry. With over 70% of the market share, their Neptun.NET platform is the leading LMS in that country.
Learning. Standards. Systems.

33. SCORM Engine – Case Study: SDA Studio
Learning. Standards. Systems.

34. Learning. Standards. Systems.
Questions?
Mike Rustici
Rustici Software, LLC
SCORM
Learning. Standards. Systems.