Replace a SCORM or Tin Can (xAPI) module in a course

Replace a SCORM or Tin Can (xAPI) module in a course

Intended Audience:  Administrators, Instructors 

Summary

Update a SCORM or Tin Can module within an existing course.

Safety Made Simple supports SCORM v 1.2, SCORM 2004 (3rd and 4th edition), and Tin Can aka xAPI protocols.


Replace content: feature overview

Replace Content lets you swap a new SCORM or Tin Can ZIP file for an existing one in a module, without changing the module settings. This option lets you update and correct the content, without publishing a new version of the course.

This option has a couple of limitations:

  • you can't replace a SCORM file with Tin Can, or vice versa: you can only replace "like for like"
  • for a module in use: avoid changing the structure of the SCORM or Tin Can content   

For a course with active enrollments, changing the structure of the content can prevent your In Progress learners from accessing content.  

If your course is in use and has learners In Progress, this replacement process aims to retain your learners' position in the course. 

If the course's structure hasn't changed, then Safety Made Simple can match the SCORM internal markers to link the existing course version to the new one. The markers include "bookmarks" which tell Safety Made Simple how far your learner progressed before stopping.

If required, you can discard learners' progress, so they need to restart the module.

Note: Always test a module with sample In Progress learner accounts, before changing the module for a published course in use.

Replace content vs. create a new version: how much can I change?

How much a SCORM content module changes is up to your content developers. It's hard to predict what changes can require a new module version, because both SCORM and Tin Can standards generate flexible content modules. Check the support pages for your SCORM-building product, like:

  • Articulate Support pages
  • Adobe Captivate support
  • Elucidat advice and answers
  • iSpring Solutions support site

Safety Made Simple is not responsible for content outside this website.

Safety Made Simple's best advice for changing modules relies on good preparation:

  • request a detailed summary from the content developers about changes in the module - consider a before-and-after list to make sure you can see the changes clearly
  • test, test, test: in your test environment with sample users, test out what kinds of changes prompt an exchanged SCORM module to fail with In Progress users
  • keep a record of what modules required a new version vs what modules exchanged smoothly

Swap an old content module for new

  1. From main navigation, go to Courses > your course name.
  2. From the secondary navigation select Content to view the course modules.
  3. Select the SCORM or Tin Can module.
  4. Select Start Replace Process to open the Upload File option, and follow the prompts to upload a new file.
  5. SCORM modules only: a dialog opens explaining that Safety Made Simple is retaining your learners' position for In Progress courses:
    • To proceed with this default option, select Replace File
    • To require your learners to restart this module, select Don't want to retain this data > Replace File
  6. Safety Made Simple proceeds with the replacement. You can navigate away from this page if required.

The following screenshot shows a module after selecting Start Replace Process.

Create a new module version, to manage bigger content changes

To change the structure of the SCORM or Tin Can module in an existing course, you need a new course version. For the smoothest sequence for your learners:

  • create a new version of the course and let your current learners complete the existing course uninterrupted
  • in the new version, delete the existing SCORM or Tin Can module
  • create a new module, with the new SCORM or Tin Can ZIP file
  • publish the new version of the course

Change library or course modules?

When you create or upload a content module, the module is a single "chunk" of content, that Safety Made Simple shows in 2 places: within your course, and in the Library.

So, if you change the module, the changes appear wherever the module is in use: in courses, and also in the library. 

You can update the module from a course, or from the library: the effect is the same. 


Note: using library content is different from copying a module, where you want to edit the copy's content, without changing the first version.

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