Demystifying e‐learning standards

Recently, a great buzz has been surrounding e‐learning standards. But what are these e‐learning “standards”, and what do they mean to the people designing and implementing e‐learning initiatives? Today, it may translate into confusion and a daunting level of research and mental investment. But, in the future, this work should give e‐learning the flexibility taken for granted in other applications. Standards often feel remote and abstract, yet they have impact on people’s lives every day. Content prepared for one system cannot be transferred easily, if at all, to another. If a company licenses a third‐party library, they find that the content not only is married to a specific delivery system but is also dependent upon a specific interface requiring its own log‐on and system for transcripts. It is no wonder that e‐learning activities remain more fragmented and less convenient than they should. Examines the issues around e‐learning standards and how a long‐term strategy can benefit your organization.