Today's learners are consuming eLearning content using a vast array of devices (PCs, Macs, and mobile devices such as the iPad). And learners are working outside of traditional LMSs. In spite of these challenges, educators still need to capture reliable data about the learner experience.
The problem with data collection is that you need an expensive LMS to store the data. And your learners need live access to the LMS so that they can send the data.
The most widely-used LMS standard for capturing data is the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). SCORM allows educators to track such things as learner completion of a course, pass/fail rates, and how long a learner took to complete a lesson or course. But what if a trainer needs to get scores from learners who are collaborating with other students using social media? What if the learners don't have access to the Internet?
The new Tin Can API allows training professionals to gather detailed data about the learner experience as the learner moves through an eLearning course (either online or offline). According to the Tin Can API website, "The Tin Can API (sometimes known as the Experience API) captures data in a consistent format about a person or group's activities from many technologies. Very different systems are able to securely communicate by capturing and sharing this stream of activities using Tin Can's simple vocabulary."
Officials at the Tin Can API website went on to say, "Mobile learning, simulations, virtual worlds, serious games, real-world activities, experiential learning, social learning, offline learning, and collaborative learning are just some of the things that can now be recognized and communicated well with the Tin Can API."
If the Tin Can API is supported by your Learning Management System (LMS), you'll be happy to learn that it's also fully supported in Adobe Captivate 7. All you need to do is choose Quiz > Quiz Preferences. From the Reporting group, select Enable reporting for this project.
From the LMS drop down menu, choose Other Standard LMSs. Lastly, from the Standard drop-down menu, choose TinCan.
When publishing the lesson, ensure that you select the Zip option, and then upload the lesson to an LMS that supports the Tin Can API.
Note: Tin Can support is also available in Articulate Storyline. All you need to do is publish the lesson and, from the LMS group, Output Options, select Tin Can API from the LMS drop-down menu. If you'd like to read more about the Tin Can API, check out the Tin Can API overview on the Tin Cap API website. You'll also find useful information on Wikipedia.
If you would like to see a demonstration of enabling Tin Can within Captivate 7, check out this video on the IconLogic YouTube channel.
See also: SCORM vs The Tin Can API.
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