What is Replacing SCORM? A Look at the Future of E-Learning Standards

SCORM’s had a long run—since the early 2000s, it was king when it came to tracking online learning. But if you’ve tried building an e-learning course lately, you’ve probably bumped into its limits. SCORM just doesn’t keep up with how people actually learn now, with smartphones, apps, and all kinds of interactive tools.

If you’ve ever wanted to track what learners do outside of the main course—like watching YouTube videos, joining a live webinar, or using an app—SCORM will leave you out in the cold. That’s why the world’s started looking elsewhere for something more flexible. The good news is, better standards are already here. xAPI and cmi5 aren’t just buzzwords; they make it way easier to track learning anywhere, anytime, and not just the basics like "Did you finish the course?"

• Why SCORM Isn't Enough Anymore
• What is xAPI and How Does It Work?
• Meet cmi5: The Next Step Up
• Making the Switch: What to Consider
• Practical Tips for Moving Beyond SCORM

Why SCORM Isn't Enough Anymore

For years, SCORM was the go-to answer for tracking e-learning. It made sure learning platforms could talk to each other, but the world moved on and SCORM kind of got left behind. It really only focuses on web-based courses—basically anything inside a browser window. Learners use a lot more now: apps, virtual reality, podcasts, offline content—the list goes on, and SCORM can’t handle those.

Another issue: SCORM doesn’t really track much. It covers basics like course completion, pass/fail status, and scores. If you want to know how long someone spent on a task, what they clicked, or which parts of a video they watched, good luck. That’s stuff modern learning teams actually care about to improve course quality.

Let’s talk about portability. Moving courses from one LMS to another with SCORM can be clunky. Sometimes you spend more time fixing compatibility problems than teaching anyone anything. There’s also zero support for real mobile learning—try running a SCORM module on your phone from 2015 and you’ll see what I mean.

Here’s a quick look at where SCORM falls short compared to newer standards:

All this means instructors and admins are left wanting more. They need better tracking, less hassle, and tools that fit how people actually learn today. That’s why everyone’s hunting for something to replace SCORM—and not just for the sake of shiny new tech, but because their learners demand it.

What is xAPI and How Does It Work?

xAPI, which you might also hear called “Tin Can API,” is basically SCORM’s smarter younger sibling. While SCORM tracks if someone finished a course or passed a quiz, xAPI can log just about anything someone does in a learning environment. We’re talking mobile apps, watching a training video, attending a live event—even reading a blog post. If it can be tracked, xAPI can probably handle it.

The real beauty of xAPI is its flexibility. It uses a simple format called "statements," which work like "Actor, Verb, Object." For example, “Bella completed Safety Training” or “You watched Fire Safety Video.” Everything goes into a Learning Record Store (LRS), which is kind of like a database for learning activities. This means learning doesn’t have to stick to one platform or happen in one place. The LRS can even collect data from multiple sources at once.

If you need proof that this works at scale, the US Department of Defense switched to xAPI years ago to better track soldier training. They aren’t playing around—when lives depend on training, it’s no joke. Big companies love xAPI too because you can finally see if those expensive seminars or optional e-books actually help with real job performance.

Here’s how xAPI stands out from the crowd:

• Works with mobile apps, games, blogs, even offline activities—it’s not stuck inside a browser.
• Tracks detailed info, like how long someone spends on each section or which answers they get right or wrong.
• Makes it easy to combine data from different tools in one place.
• Doesn’t require a constant internet connection; it can send data when you’re back online.

For those who love a good numbers comparison, here’s how SCORM and xAPI stack up when it comes to tracking:

If you’re thinking about switching to xAPI, start by figuring out what info you wish you could track but can’t with your current setup. That’ll help you spot the best use cases for your own courses or corporate training.

Meet cmi5: The Next Step Up

For anyone used to SCORM, stepping into cmi5 can feel like swapping a clunky flip phone for a modern smartphone. cmi5 is basically what you get when you mix the best pieces of SCORM with the power of xAPI, making it super useful for today's learning environments. The big win? cmi5 can handle structured e-learning courses and track learning anywhere, on any device—even when you’re offline.

cmi5 was put together by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, the same crew who created SCORM in the first place. But this time, they teamed up with the AICC (another group that helped define early online learning). So instead of patching old tech, they built something fit for how we actually learn now.

Let’s get practical. SCORM only tracked simple stuff: course completions, scores, maybe a few quiz answers. cmi5 can track all that and way more—like starting a course on your phone and finishing it on your laptop, grabbing progress, scores, and even how you interact along the way. Want to track when someone reads a PDF, joins a team meeting, or gets certified after class? cmi5’s got you.

Here’s a quick breakdown on what makes cmi5 a strong contender for the future of e-learning:

• Works with xAPI for tracking rich learning data anywhere, not just inside an LMS browser window.
• Supports launching and tracking courses outside traditional web browsers, so it’s ideal for mobile and desktop apps.
• Designed for easy integrations—think seamless reporting and flexible analytics.
• Built-in support for offline learning, so results sync up when internet is back.

The experts back this up, too. According to ADL’s official documentation:

"cmi5 is designed to take advantage of modern web and device capabilities while providing an easy path for existing SCORM users to adopt xAPI-based learning."

If you’re designing or managing online courses, cmi5 removes a ton of barriers. You get portability, better analytics, and the freedom to create learning wherever your audience is. That’s why so many platforms are starting to switch to cmi5 right now—and why it’s worth putting on your radar if you want to future-proof your e-learning work.

Making the Switch: What to Consider

Shifting away from SCORM isn’t just about flipping a switch. There’s a real checklist to go through before tossing your old SCORM files and adopting xAPI or cmi5. Let’s talk practical stuff.

First thing: check your learning management system (LMS). Not every LMS is ready for xAPI or cmi5 out of the box. You might need an upgrade, a plugin, or maybe even a whole new platform. It’s worth going through your vendor’s FAQs or asking their customer support about xAPI and cmi5 compatibility. Don’t just assume they’ve got it covered.

Next, think about your course content. Older courses built for SCORM don’t magically work with these new standards. You’ll either have to convert them (which some authoring tools like Articulate or Captivate support now) or rebuild them from scratch. Make a list of your most-used courses and decide if they’re worth updating.

• Check for support: Does your LMS handle xAPI or cmi5?
• Authoring tools: Are you using tools that let you export in the format you need?
• Integration: Will new data play nicely with your existing reporting or HR systems?
• Budget: Some migrations are free, but large shifts can cost. Don’t get surprised—ask for quotes early on.

Data is a big part of the switch, and this is where xAPI shines. With SCORM, you just knew if someone completed a module and maybe their score. With xAPI, you get insights like where users struggle, what content they skip, and even what device they’re learning on.

Worried about the learning curve? Try a pilot project with a single popular course. Get feedback from your test group and keep them short—just enough for a real-world test. If things go smoothly, expand using what you’ve learned.

And hey, every organization is different. If you work in finance or healthcare, data privacy is huge. Make sure whatever new approach you pick is compliant with standards like GDPR or HIPAA if needed.

Bottom line: the upgrade is all about preparation. If you’re methodical, the benefits will start showing up right away—in better tracking, richer data, and happier learners.

Practical Tips for Moving Beyond SCORM

If you’re thinking about ditching SCORM, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Platforms, standards, and tools all have their quirks. But you don’t have to switch overnight. Here’s how you can actually start moving forward, without losing your mind.

• Start by understanding what your learners actually do. Track how and where they learn. Is it on mobile, through games, on webinars? xAPI is better at capturing these details, so it makes sense to list every touchpoint you want to follow.
• Check if your Learning Management System (LMS) supports xAPI or cmi5. The good news: popular platforms like Moodle, Docebo, and TalentLMS already offer xAPI options. If your LMS doesn’t, ask their support or roadmap when it’s coming, or explore integrations with Learning Record Stores (LRS), which hold xAPI data.
• Don’t try to convert everything at once. Pick one or two courses, test how data looks in your new setup, and compare it to your old SCORM reports. This helps spot gaps before you fully commit.
• Get your team trained—or at least comfortable—with the new standard. There are bite-sized courses on LinkedIn Learning about xAPI and cmi5, perfect for busy schedules.
• Set up automated reporting with xAPI. Unlike SCORM, xAPI can show real-time activity and more detail, like quiz attempts or even how long someone spends on a page. Dashboard tools can make this info much easier to use.

Here’s a quick look at how xAPI compares to SCORM for practical tracking:

If you want a smooth ride, start small, get feedback, and choose the path that fits your needs best. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for help—most are eager to show off their new e-learning features. Your courses will get more flexible, and your reports will actually make sense.