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A (Short) History of eLearning Standards

By lkuley

  • Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee

    Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee
    Boeing, Airbus and McDonnell Douglas join together to form the Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC) to standardize training materials and technology used to train airline workers.

  • AICC Publish 1st Platform Standards

    AICC Publish 1st Platform Standards
    The AICC recommends a PC-platform (personal computer) as the primary delivery platform for Computer-Based Training (CBT).

  • AICC Publish 1st Specifications for Learning Management Systems (LMS)

    AICC Publish 1st Specifications for Learning Management Systems (LMS)
    The AICC published specifications for Learning Management Systems designed for CD-ROM and Local Area Networks (LANs). These specifications were called CMI001-AICC/CMI Guidelines for Interoperability. Computer Managed Instruction (CMI)

  • AICC Adds Web-based Interface

    AICC Adds Web-based Interface
    AICC adds a web-based interface called HACP (HTTP-based AICC/CMI Protocol).

  • DOD forms Advanced Distributed Learning Organization

    DOD forms Advanced Distributed Learning Organization
    President Bill Clinton and the US Department of Defense establish the Advanced Distributed Learning organization to find a way to push eLearning standardization further and make online learning more cost effective.

  • AICC adds JavaScript API Interface

    AICC adds JavaScript API Interface
    AICC updates CMI001 specification to include a JavaScript API runtime interface. Computer Managed Instruction (CMI)

  • Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)

    Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)
    The US government's Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) research program developed the SCORM set of technical standards built on JavaScript and XML to have three components: 1) content packaging; 2) run-time; and 3) sequencing. Today SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 are the most popular technical standards in the eLearning industry with 62% of businesses using it in their LMS.

  • Tin Can (xAPI) from ADL and Rustici and many Others

    Tin Can (xAPI) from ADL and Rustici and many Others
    "Project Tin Can" was initiated by the ADL research group of the US government to develop more robust eLearning specifications in 2011. In 2013 they released The Experience API (xAPI) in 2013. It works by defining learning activities using noun-verb-object statements and recording it in a learning record store (LRS). Fifteen percent of businesses report using Tin Can (xAPI).

  • AICC Dissolves

    AICC Dissolves
    The AICC worked to ensure CBT systems within the aviation industry were interchangeable and compatible with multiple systems. This enabled organizations to host and deliver online learning content across multiple platforms. Today 23% of businesses use AICC for training courses in their LMS even though there will be no more updates.

  • Cmi5 Developed as Companion Standard

    Cmi5 Developed as Companion Standard
    After the AICC was disbanded, several members wanted to make it easier for standard LMS-oriented learning environments to adopt xAPI. It defines how course file structure should be described and how it should start its communication with an LMS.