Overview
ISO/IEC TR 29163-1:2009 - Information technology - Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM®) 2004 3rd Edition - Part 1: Overview Version 1.1 - is a high-level Technical Report that summarizes the SCORM 2004 3rd Edition documentation suite. Prepared by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative and adopted by ISO/IEC JTC 1, this report describes the scope, organization and objectives of SCORM and points to the three detailed SCORM books: the Content Aggregation Model (CAM), the Run‑Time Environment (RTE) and Sequencing and Navigation (SN). It also introduces the SCORM 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Test Suite and the Sample Run‑Time Environment.
Key topics and requirements
- Content Aggregation Model (CAM): how learning content is packaged and described for exchange and reuse.
- Run‑Time Environment (RTE): mechanisms for launching content, exchanging learner and session data with a Learning Management System (LMS).
- Sequencing and Navigation (SN): rules for adaptive presentation, ordering and progression of learning activities.
- Conformance and testing: references the SCORM 2004 3rd Edition Conformance Test Suite to validate LMS and content interoperability.
- Sample Run‑Time Environment: a reference implementation to demonstrate expected RTE behavior.
- ADL “ilities”: foundational non‑functional requirements including accessibility, adaptability, affordability, durability, interoperability, and reusability.
- Web‑based assumption: emphasis on web technologies as the primary delivery medium, supporting broad access and reuse.
The document is intentionally high‑level and serves as the coordinated map to the technical specification books; the detailed technical rules and data model definitions are in Parts 2–4.
Applications and who uses it
- Learning Management System (LMS) vendors implementing SCORM‑compliant run‑time APIs and packaging behavior.
- Content authors and instructional designers packaging learning objects for reusable delivery across platforms.
- Quality assurance and test labs using the Conformance Test Suite to certify interoperability.
- Enterprise learning teams, government training programs, and e‑learning integrators seeking durable, interoperable content and predictable LMS behavior.
- Tool vendors building authoring or delivery tools that must interoperate with other SCORM‑compliant systems.
Related standards
- SCORM 2004 3rd Edition Parts: Part 2 (CAM), Part 3 (RTE), Part 4 (SN) - linked from this overview.
- Works alongside other e‑learning standards and consortia (ADL, IMS, IEEE LTSC, AICC) to promote interoperability.
By reading ISO/IEC TR 29163-1:2009, stakeholders gain a concise roadmap to SCORM 2004 3rd Edition, its practical goals for e‑learning interoperability, and where to find the detailed technical rules needed for implementation and conformance.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM®) 2004 3rd Edition — Part 1: Overview Version 1.1
