A Release is an export of your Project that can be distributed to your learners. Projects can be exported in several different modes. This article briefly introduces each mode and its benefits, and our recommendations.
Contents
1 SCORM package for Learning Management Systems (LMS)
SCORM package for Learning Management Systems (LMS)
This release mode is most suitable for delivering content via a Learning Management System (LMS).
The package's content (including images, audio, and videos) is hosted on Elucidat's servers so content can be served quickly.
When exported from the platform, the package takes the form of a zip file which can be uploaded directly to your LMS.
The file contains:
- an imsmanifest.xml file;
- and a launch.html file
At 7KB, the file is much smaller than a Backup SCORM but it does requires an internet connection to work.
Using this release mode comes with many benefits:
- The Elucidat re-releasing feature allows you to update content changes within minutes without the need to re-download and re-upload the zip package to your LMS.
- You can use our powerful social polling and clips features to encourage social collaboration and allow your users to see how peers have answered questions in your course.
- Learner bookmarking so that learners are easily returned to the place they last visited in the course.
- Detailed user insights straight back into the Elucidat analytics interface. This means you can capture additional analytics right from inside Elucidat, giving you even more detailed insights into how effective your content is and how it's being used.
SCORM version support
Elucidat supports the following SCORM versions:
- SCORM 1.2
- SCORM 2004 (2nd edition)
Note: SCORM 2004, while newer, is less widely adopted than SCORM 1.2. Check with your LMS provider to ensure they support these SCORM versions before uploading your content. |
Online Link
Choosing to release your course as an Online Link will generate a unique course URL for you to share with your users, allowing them to access your course instantly in their browser without the need for an LMS.
Like the SCORM for LMS release type, Online Links are hosted on Elucidat's servers and require an internet connection to be used.
Here are some benefits of using this release mode:
- Re-release allows you to update content changes within minutes without the need to re-share the original URL with your users.
- Supports our powerful polling and clips features to encourage social collaboration and allow your users to see how peers have answered questions in your course.
- Learner bookmarking so that learners can easily return to the place they last visited in the course.
- Learner identification means you'll get detailed user insights sent straight back into the Elucidat analytics interface.
- Your content is hosted on our servers meaning you don't need to download a file or have an LMS to host your content. The link can easily be shared and also embedded on a webpage via an iFrame to give you even more options for reaching your users.
This release mode is most suitable for customers without an LMS or customers using an LRS (Learning Record Store).
Other release modes
While the release modes described above are the most widely used, we also offer alternative release modes for other use cases.
Backup SCORM
Choosing this mode will create a SCORM zip file that will include your course and all of the images, audio files, and video used in that course.
Unlike the SCORM for LMS or Online Link release modes, Backup SCORMs do not require a connection to the internet to work so it can be launched in an environment without an internet connection or behind a firewall.
Note: A Backup SCORM will still report to the Elucidat servers to monitor usage if it is taken by a learner who is connected to the internet. |
This method is most suitable for clients who use an LMS but some users who do not have stable internet connections.
Because the course assets of a Backup SCORM package are contained within the package itself, more content-rich courses will produce larger-sized packages.
Some LMSs enforce a size limit on SCORM packages which will prevent the package from being uploaded. For example, a Parent Courses with a high number of Variations, each with a high number of videos, might reach the limit.
If you receive an error message from your LMS to this effect, your options are:
- Use one of our online release modes instead
- Reduce the size of your course by removing media or uploading it at a lower resolution
- Release Variations individually rather than as one Multi-SCORM package
Caution: Backup SCORMs use suspend data (stored as a long string of characters) to bookmark a learner's position in the course. These strings have length limits. If the suspend data exceeds this limit, no more bookmarking information can be stored. Backup SCORMs are not optimized to work with our bookmarking microservice or analytics features. They are also not intended for use with our polling features or clips functionality. If you would like to use any of these, we recommend using either the SCORM for LMS or Online Link release modes. |
API integration release
This mode allows you to use our API to request a time-limited link to launch your course online. This mode is most suitable for customers without an LMS/LRS who still need to keep their content secure.
If you'd like more information about this, please speak to our Support team by emailing support@elucidat.com.
Note: API integration release is often confused with the xAPI TinCan tracking mode. xAPI TinCan is not a distinct release mode but can be enabled for Online Link and SCORM for LMS releases to send xAPI data to an external LRS. For more information about xAPI, see Setting up TinCan (xAPI) mode for working with an LRS. |