Comparing AICC, SCORM, and xAPI

You’ve likely come across terms like LMS, WBT, and CBT if you work in e-learning. But the real foundation of online training lies in the technical standards behind the scenes. So in this article we will be comparing AICC, SCORM, and xAPI standards.

These standards help learning platforms track user activity. They record details like scores, progress, and course completion. Each standard works differently and offers unique advantages.

Contents

What is AICC?

AICC stands for Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee. This group created the standard in the 1980s to structure digital training in aviation. Over time, other industries adopted it.

AICC content communicates with learning systems through HTTP. This setup allows courses to reside on one server and run from another. That was helpful when internet speeds and storage were limited.

This standard supports remote hosting, giving early training systems needed flexibility. However, it’s now outdated. Developers no longer update it, and many tools no longer support it.

What is SCORM?

SCORM, or Sharable Content Object Reference Model, emerged later. The U.S. Department of Defense developed it to modernize digital training. It uses JavaScript to track and report user activity to the LMS.

SCORM courses come packaged as zip files with everything inside: text, video, quizzes, and instructions. Once uploaded to a platform, the system displays the content and tracks learner progress.

Most learning platforms today support this standard. It tracks scores, completion, bookmarks, and allows users to resume where they left off.

What is xAPI?

xAPI—also known as Experience API or Tin Can API—is the newest standard. Unlike the others, it doesn’t rely on a browser or LMS. It tracks learning experiences from any location, online or offline.

xAPI uses a Learning Record Store (LRS) to gather data. It records more than test scores. It logs actions like watching videos, attending meetings, or reading documents.