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1.4 What questions do I need to ask an an Authoring tool vendor or course vendor?
To make an informed decision when choosing an authoring tool or course you should ask the vendor the following questions:
  1. What standards does the tool (course) support?
  1. How much of the standard is implemented?
    1. Basics: course start, course stop, lesson status, and lesson score
    1. What additional variables does the course support?
    1. What behaviors can a course support?
  1. Can a course have multiple tests?
  1. Can a course send a score for each test?
  1. Can a course send a score and student's response for each test question?
  1. Is the score saved as a total right or as a percentage?
  1. Is the information sent based on one score per course, one score per test, or one score per test question?
  1. Is there a customized implementation available for each LMSs?
    1. Since each LMS implements the standards slightly differently, an authoring tool that does not provide a unique implementation for each LMS will only send the minimum information to an LMS.
  1. Has the course been run through the ADL/SCORM self-test?
  1. Will students need a separately installed plug-in on their computer for this communication?
  1. What information is actually sent to an LMS?
    1. If the course is SCORM conformant does that mean it reports test scores? (Many SCORM conformant courses don't have tests.)
    1. What other information can the course send and retrieve (e.g. bookmarks)?
  1. For authoring tools - what will it take to turn my course into SCORM?
    1. Will I use a simple pull down menu?
    1. Will I need to enter code into specific areas of my course and run my course through a debugger?
    1. Will I need to find and insert a plug-in? Is the plug-in created by the authoring company, is it freeware, is there any support for the plug-in?
It's True! It's True! An authoring tool or course may have functionality that the LMS can't capture, or vice-versa. It is important to understand what information you will want to capture and then make sure your LMS and authoring tool or course can meet your needs. Just asking a vendor if the course is SCORM conformant only guarantees that the content reports initiation and completion - it does not imply that any useful information is sent or stored.