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Articles about managing library content in Pinnacle Series

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Choosing Learning Paths or SCORM Content

Eagle Point Software Knowledge Base

Quick Answer

Use a Pinnacle Series Learning Path for content you'll update often, need role-based assignment and reminders for, or want native reporting on. Use a SCORM package for highly interactive courses built with an authoring tool, legacy SCORM content, or content that needs to stay portable to other SCORM-compliant platforms.

What This Article Helps With

  • Deciding whether to deliver training as a Pinnacle Series Learning Path or an imported SCORM package
  • Understanding the governance, reporting, and reminder capabilities of Learning Paths
  • Understanding the strengths and drawbacks of SCORM content
  • Using a decision checklist to choose between the two

Learning Paths

  • Learning Paths provide structured, self-paced curricula. You can use supplied public Learning Paths or build custom ones.
  • They are well suited to onboarding, multi-level software training, and ongoing professional development.
  • Learners can self-enroll, access materials just in time, review transcripts, and print completion certificates.
  • Governance: Managers can assign a Learning Path by user or role, and Pinnacle Series sends automated completion and past-due notifications. Reminder workflows help keep learners on schedule.
  • Reporting: You can track progress, identify who is behind, identify skill gaps, assign targeted Learning Paths, and export data to other LMS, LXP, or HRIS systems.
  • You can combine public content with your own custom materials within a Learning Path.

SCORM Content

SCORM is a standard that lets e-learning content be created once and shared across SCORM-compliant platforms, offering "plug-and-play" deployment.

  • Strengths: rich interactivity, fine-grained control over completion and timing, relatively easy migration between SCORM-compliant systems, and access to marketplace pre-built courses.
  • Drawbacks:
    • SCORM is an older standard, and its completion and status reporting can be clunky; xAPI is more flexible for analytics.
    • Legacy SCORM packages built with old code or runtimes such as Flash may fail on modern devices and iOS.
    • Many SCORM packages are not fully responsive on mobile phones or tablets.
    • Authoring tools for SCORM content can be costly and difficult to learn.
    • SCORM reporting depth often trails native Learning Path reporting.

Comparing Learning Paths and SCORM

  • Setup and maintenance: Learning Paths are fast to build and revise natively. SCORM content requires authoring, exporting, and re-importing.
  • Interactivity: SCORM has higher potential through dedicated authoring tools. Learning Paths suit structured, blended content.
  • Mobile: Learning Paths are optimized across devices. SCORM support varies, and legacy packages are often not responsive.
  • Reporting: Learning Paths offer deep native reporting and easy export. SCORM provides standard data that is often less granular.
  • Assignments and governance: Learning Paths include due dates, reminders, role-based assignments, and certificates. SCORM relies on the surrounding LMS for these capabilities.
  • Speed to update: Learning Path content can be edited directly. SCORM content requires republishing.
  • Cost: Learning Paths are included with the Pinnacle Series platform. SCORM may require paid authoring tools and specialist skills.

When to Choose Each

  • Choose a Learning Path when you need rapid content updates, strong governance, due dates and reminders, integrated reporting, the ability to blend in custom content, or mobile-friendly onboarding.
  • Choose SCORM when you need highly interactive simulations, you have legacy or vendor-only SCORM courses, or you need portability to other SCORM-compliant platforms without rebuilding the content.

Helpful Tips

  • Frequent content changes point to a Learning Path.
  • Interactivity available only through a SCORM authoring tool points to SCORM.
  • Critical mobile access points to a Learning Path, or a modern, responsive SCORM package.
  • Needing robust native reporting and governance points to a Learning Path.
  • If you already own high-quality SCORM courses, you can continue using them and decide on rebuilds case by case.
  • Pilot any new content with a small group before rolling it out broadly.
  • For SCORM content, confirm the launch file, completion rules, resume behavior, and mobile display before rolling it out.
  • For Learning Paths, validate assignments, reminders, and reporting filters against your Groups and roles before rolling it out.

Common Questions

Does Pinnacle Series Support Reminders and Due Dates for SCORM Content the Same Way It Does for Learning Paths?

No. Assignments, due dates, reminders, and role-based governance are described for Learning Paths. SCORM content relies on the surrounding LMS for these capabilities.

Can I Combine Public Content with My Own Custom Materials?

Yes, within a Learning Path.

Still Need Help?

If you have questions about choosing between Learning Paths and SCORM content, log a support ticket.