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updated August 30, 2025

SCORM made simple

Scoop is an affordable, easy-to-use, open-source alternative to SCORM Cloud for managing and delivering training content.

If you are familiar with SCORM already, then you can skip this page and get started immediately. You'll quickly find that Scoop is the easiest platform to use for managing and delivering your SCORM-packaged content.

If you are new to SCORM, then this is a friendly guide written for HR managers, safety coordinators, training directors, and instructional designers who want a better understanding of SCORM - without the technical jargon.

What is SCORM (and why should you care)?

Think of SCORM as the universal language that helps all your training materials work together. SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. It's a crazy name, created by propeller-heads more than twenty years ago, but don't let the name intimidate you. SCORM is much simpler than its name suggests.

At its heart, SCORM is simply a set of rules that ensures your online training courses can work with any Learning Management System (LMS), no matter who created them. It's like having a universal adapter for all your training content.

The bottom line: SCORM eliminates compatibility headaches so you can focus on what matters most – creating engaging learning experiences for your team.

Our team also uses this glossary of terms as a reference.

Let's break it down with an example

Remember when you could only use certain phone chargers with certain phones? Apple had their connector, Android had theirs, and nothing worked together. It was frustrating, expensive, and inefficient.

Now imagine if every training course you purchased worked with only one specific LMS. You'd need different systems for different vendors, and switching LMS providers would mean losing all your existing content. That is the problem solved by SCORM.

SCORM is like USB-C for eLearning: It is one standard that works everywhere. When your training content is SCORM-compliant, it works in any SCORM-compliant LMS, just like a USB-C cable works with any USB-C device.

Why SCORM is a game-changer for your training programs

Freedom of choice: You're not locked into one vendor's ecosystem. Choose the LMS that best fits your needs, knowing your existing content will work perfectly.

Cost savings: No need to recreate training materials when switching systems. Your investment in content is protected.

Easy vendor management: Purchase training from multiple suppliers without worrying about compatibility issues. Everything just works.

Future-proofing: As your organization grows and your training needs evolve, SCORM ensures your content library remains valuable and usable.

SCORM versions: what you need to know

You don't need to be a SCORM expert! Here's what matters for your day-to-day work:

SCORM 1.2

This is the reliable workhorse that's been around forever. Most training content use this version, and virtually every LMS supports it.

SCORM 2004

This is a more advanced version with enhanced tracking capabilities. Perfect for complex training programs that need more extensive reporting.

Our recommendation: If you're purchasing content, ask vendors what versions they provide. If you're creating content, then SCORM 1.2 is likely to meet all your needs. (Upgrade to SCORM 2004 only if you need its specific additional capabilities.)

Who creates SCORM standards?

SCORM is an open standard developed and maintained by ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning). ADL is the committee that ensures everything stays compatible and up-to-date.

The technical specifications for SCORM are free to view and download from the ADL website. If you have a propeller hat buried somewhere in the back of your closet, then dig it out and buckle up to read the official publications: SCORM versions and resources

How we support your SCORM journey

SCORM can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling multiple priorities. That's why we've created Scoop: it is specifically designed to make your life easier:

For LMS administrators

You can upload a SCORM package to Scoop with two mouse-clicks. (Seriously.) Content hosted in Scoop integrates seamlessly with your existing system, so all your training content works without any technical headaches.

For content creators and instructional designers**

Whether you're building courses in-house or working with external vendors, you can use Scoop as a central repository for managing and hosting all your SCORM-packaged content.

For training managers

Test your content before rolling it out, and deliver training across multiple platforms. If you don't have an LMS, and you don't want or need an LMS, then you can deliver courses directly from SCOOP - and still get the detailed reporting you need to track the progress of your learners.

Next steps

Ready to simplify your training content delivery? We're here to help you navigate SCORM without the complexity. Our team speaks your language – we understand the challenges of managing training programs, meeting compliance requirements, and proving ROI to leadership.

Questions? We love talking with learning professionals like you. Reach out anytime for a friendly conversation about how SCORM can streamline your training operations.

If you prefer a video explanation, here is a one-minute summary, perfect for sharing with your team or explaining the concept to stakeholders. SCORM in 60 Seconds

Additional resources

Official reference guides and sample content are available here.

The official SCORM Learning Record Store (LRS) test suite is available here.

Authoring tools that support SCORM include:

  • Adobe Captivate is an Industry-standard tool for creating interactive eLearning courses with advanced simulations, quizzes, and responsive design capabilities.

  • Articulate is a user-friendly suite (Storyline & Rise) that makes professional course creation accessible to non-technical instructional designers and subject matter experts.

  • dominKnow is a cloud-based collaborative platform that enables teams to create, review, and maintain SCORM courses together in real-time from anywhere.

  • SimTutor is a specialized tool for building realistic software simulations and step-by-step training that teaches users how to use applications and systems.