Potential Pitfalls

Compression

The zip package must be compressed with the following options:

• 'compression method: deflate'
• 'dictionary size: 32KB'

Or you may get an error during LMS import.  The Microsoft library used by the LMS, that extracts the zip file, seems to only work with 32 bit compressed files.

SCORM Version

As mentioned on the Import SCORM Courses the only version support by our LMS is version 1.2.  This can be checked by opening the imsmanifest.xml in the root of the zipped SCORM package.

In the <metadata> tag there will be a <schemaversion> which should be 1.2.  If the version is incorrect, the client must re-package the course using the correct version:

Manifest Mapping

When the SCORM course is imported into the LMS, a number of files get generated including a manifest (SCOManifest.js).  This file is used to map the SCO Id, and other information desired (Currently supports: mastery score, time limit, and launch data.  See: SCORM Data Model).

There are 3 keys that could be used by the SCORM course, depending on how the vendor created/set it up:

• index_lms.html
• index_lms_html5.html  
• index_lms_flash.html

It is possible that the packaged course either forces use of one of these, or uses browser detection to deliver the content in the respective type.  However, at the moment, the SCOManifest.js specifically sets 'index_lms.html' (see ExtractScormPackage() in CoreClient.cs), the consequence of this is that if the course is html5 or flash, the CurrentSCO and CurrentSCOId properties will not usually be set correctly.  This can lead to unforeseen consequences and other bugs.

To resolve this, after the course has been imported, navigate to the file collection, then the course.  Edit the SCOManifest.js, and change the 'SCOIDMapping' and 'SCOManifestMapping' to the appropriate key:

Testing the Package

Create a SCORM Cloud account

You can sign up for a free trial anytime, keeping in mind though that once you cross the storage limit of 100 MB, you will be charged for consequent usage. 

SCORM Cloud is a tool that can be used to evaluate the behavior of a SCORM package. You can use it to test if your SCORM content can be uploaded and launched successfully, you can view the SCORM content, and you can test to see what sort of completion data the SCORM content reports.

1. Go to SCORM Cloud.
2. Click Try it free.
3. Complete the sign-up form.

Note: if using the free version, and your package is greater than 100MB it's likely there are big asset file (e.g. videos) in the package.  Delete/remove those videos to get the package below the 100MB trial threshold.  The course can still be tested; the SCORM Cloud may hang for a second or two looking for the missing asset, but you will be able to continue as normal.

Reviewing your SCORM content in SCORM Cloud

You will need to locate the original zipped file of your SCORM content before completing this step.

• Importing your content

1. Log in to your SCORM Cloud account, if necessary.
2. Click Add Content in the top right.
1. Select Import a SCORM, AICC, xAPI or cmi5 package.
3. Change the Import to a specific App menu to Initial Application for [your name]’s Realm.
4. Click Choose File and navigate to your copy of the ZIPPED SCORM package.
5. Click Import Course. 
   
   You will see a progress window while your content loads.
6. Verify your content uploaded successfully.
1. Scroll down to the Course Assets section and verify you can see the "Congratulations, your manifest looks great!"
   
2. If you do not get this confirmation, you will probably need to re-package your original SCORM content.

Viewing your SCORM content

1. Click Launch (you may need to scroll back up) and review your training.

Testing SCORM package for completion

1. Review your SCORM content completely.
   1. Complete all activities correctly so you can test that successful progress through the content will be reported as successful progress.
   2. Close the SCORM window when you are done, if necessary.
   3. SCORM Cloud reloads and presents you with the results.
2. Review your results:
   1. You should see Complete in the Completion area. If there is any quizzing an appropriate percentage would be viewed under Score or both.
      
      

Testing SCORM package for non-completion

1. Click Reset Progress.
   
   
2. Review your SCORM content incorrectly. You may wish to try this multiple times, in a variety of ways.
   1. Try leaving the SCORM content after going through just a few slides.
   2. If the SCORM has quizzes, try answering incorrectly.
   3. After each failed attempt, close the SCORM window when you are done.
   4. SCORM Cloud reloads and presents you with the results.
3. Review your results:
   1. You should see Incomplete under Completion if you have not gone through the entire SCORM content.
      
      

You should see the appropriate percentage under Score for whatever quiz answers you provided.

No Error (infinite loading) or "No Links Specified" in the LMS

We have seen an error where invalid characters in the SCO Resource Id have caused our 3rd party extractor to silently ignore the resource/course and not give any error.  Ensure that no special characters are being used for the SCO Id:

Note: the only confirmed invalid character is the colon ':' as of this writing.  However, other reserved html characters should be viewed with suspicion.  

To fix this issue, remove the offending characters, and re-zip the packaged files with a new name, and re-import the course to the LMS.