How to Upload SCORM files and HTML5 Packages to your Courses

SCORM

A Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a set of technical criteria for e-learning software products. It is a .zip file that contains a single course activity or a whole course packaged in a standardized format. SCORM files are created based on specific standards, which makes them work across different Learning Management Systems. 

HTML5 Multimedia Packages

HTML5 packages are essentially interactive websites loading inside a cloud LMS like LearnWorlds. The difference between previous iterations is the native support for interactive elements and video playback, making it suitable for e-learning.

If you wish to find out more about SCORM files, their benefits, and their purpose, navigate to this blog article.

In this article, we will dive into the SCORM/HTML5 learning activity creation process and provide some important considerations and tips for uploading your SCORM or HTML5 files in your courses.

Create a SCORM/HTML5 Learning Activity

To create a SCORM/HTML5 activity:

1. Go to your course's Contents → Course outline.

2. Click on Add activity under a course section.

3. Choose the SCORM/HTML5 Package activity under Multimedia.

4. Give a title to your activity and click Save or Save and Edit to make changes immediately. 

Upload your SCORM/HTML5 files

1. While hovering over the created SCORM/HTML5 learning activity, click on Settings (if you have clicked on Save and Edit in the activity creation process, skip this step).

2. Upload your SCORM/HTML5 Package. The supported file types for our platform are:

• SCORM 1.2
• SCORM 2004 3rd Edition
• SCORM 2004 4th Edition
• Captivate CAM 1.3 zip package
• HTML5

3. Once your SCORM file has been uploaded, two buttons below will appear to Use SCORM Completion Rules or enable the Student time on an activity.

a. Use SCORM completion rules: This allows you to track if this learning unit is completed based on the rules you have included in the SCORM file. Ensure your package includes all the related rules for this functionality to work properly.

b. Student time on activity: This allows you to track the total time your users spend in your SCORM learning activity. For this functionality to work properly, ensure all the needed settings are configured in your SCORM file.

These two functionalities are available only for SCORM but not for HTML5 files.

Graded vs. Non-Graded SCORM Packages

Non-Graded SCORM Packages:

When you update a non-graded SCORM package, you replace the current file with a new one. Since this is treated as a new file in the system, the learners' progress resets.

Graded SCORM Packages:

If you update a graded SCORM file, a pop-up message will prompt you to choose how to handle the Gradebook scores:

a. Keep Scores: Retains learners' existing scores in the Gradebook. However, if a learner revisits the activity, their progress resets to 0.

b. Reset Scores: Creates a new Gradebook entry for all users and resets their scores.

For more information on graded SCORM packages, refer to our detailed guide.

If the admin updates the SCORM file and selects Keep Score, learners' SCORM progress will reset when revisiting the activity, and their Gradebook grade will update to 0. However, the overall course progress (unit completion) remains unaffected. To capture and report user performance effectively, we recommend using a Graded SCORM Package, available on the Pro Trainer plan or higher.

SCORM Files Capabilities

SCORM Learning Activity

1. Plan Availability

• Available in Trial, Pro Trainer, Learning Center, and High Volume & Corporate plans.
• Trial users: Up to 3 SCORM packages (400MB max each).
• Pro Trainer plan: Up to 20 SCORM packages (400MB max each, 2GB total combined size).
• Learning Center & Higher Plans: Unlimited SCORM uploads (400MB max each, fair use policy applies).

2. Prerequisites & Supported Formats

• Supports SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 (3rd & 4th Editions), and Captivate CAM 1.3 zip packages.
• Requires a manifest file (.xml) inside the .zip package to be valid.
• Designed for interactive e-learning experiences, enabling compatibility across different Learning Management Systems (LMS).

3. Upload & Configuration

• Navigate to Course Outline → Add Activity → Select SCORM/HTML5 Package.
• Upload the SCORM file and configure settings:
  • SCORM completion rules: Track if the unit is completed based on built-in SCORM settings.
  • Student time tracking: Record the total time spent on the SCORM activity.

4. How to Utilize SCORM Learning Activity Effectively

• Use SCORM to create self-paced interactive courses with quizzes, videos, and simulations.
• Enable completion tracking to measure learner engagement and determine if course objectives are met.
• Leverage time tracking to monitor time spent by users, ensuring compliance with learning requirements.
• For performance tracking, consider using a Graded SCORM package if score reporting is needed.

5. Limitations & Considerations

• SCORM file size limit: 400MB per file.
• Updating a non-graded SCORM package resets learner progress.
• No sub-module tracking: LearnWorlds tracks overall completion, not individual SCORM assignments.
• Cloudflare Considerations: If using a custom domain, Cloudflare may block large SCORM uploads. Disable the proxy to upload files successfully.

Graded SCORM Activity

1. Plan Availability

• Available in Trial, Pro Trainer, Learning Center, and High Volume & Corporate plans.
• Trial users: Up to 3 Graded SCORM packages (400MB max each).
• Pro Trainer plan: Up to 20 SCORM packages (400MB max each, 2GB total combined size).
• Learning Center & Higher Plans: Unlimited SCORM uploads (400MB max each, fair use policy applies).

2. Prerequisites & Supported Formats

• Supports SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004.
• Requires a manifest file (.xml) inside the .zip package to be valid.
• Must contain Score and/or Pass/Fail values for tracking in the Gradebook.

3. Upload & Configuration

• Navigate to Course Outline → Add Activity → Select Graded SCORM (under Exams).
• Configure key settings:
  • Collect Score from SCORM: Continuously updates the Gradebook with SCORM scores.
  • Use SCORM’s internal Pass/Fail rules or set a custom passing score.
  • Track student time spent in the activity.

4. How to Utilize Graded SCORM for Assessment & Tracking

• Ideal for evaluating learner performance with quizzes, tests, and assessments.
• Use automated Gradebook integration to streamline progress tracking.
• Set custom passing scores or leverage SCORM’s built-in grading rules.
• Track time spent in the module to ensure compliance with training hours.
• Enable retakes by resetting progress while keeping a history of past attempts.

5. Gradebook Integration

• Scores are automatically recorded in the Gradebook.
• Admins can:
  • Edit user scores manually.
  • Reset individual user progress for a retake (previous scores are saved in history).
  • View score modification history (who changed it and when).
  • Delete submitted records if necessary.

6. Updating a Graded SCORM Package

• If a SCORM file is updated, admins must choose:
  • Keep Score: Users retain their previous Gradebook score, but progress resets to 0 when revisiting.
  • Reset Scores: A new Gradebook entry is created for all users, clearing previous scores.

7. Limitations & Considerations

• SCORM file size limit: 400MB per file.
• The Gradebook does not display detailed SCORM breakdowns—only the final Score or Pass/Fail.
• Cloudflare Considerations: Disable Cloudflare proxy if large SCORM uploads are blocked.

Requirements and Guidelines

• Make sure that the manifest file is included in the .zip file. This manifest file contains XML that describes the structure of a course from both a learner’s perspective and a physical file system perspective. It is required for the SCORM to be valid. Be sure to test the learning activity and see how it works before releasing it. Press on the Preview course player on top of your screen to preview the course and its SCORM learning units.

• If you need to capture and report users' performance in your school, you should use the Graded SCORM Package learning activity (available in the Pro Trainer plan or higher).
• LearnWorlds tracks the total completion status and progress of a SCORM package as a whole, not the individual sub-modules or assignments within it.
• The Pro Trainer plan supports 20 SCORM files (up to 400 MB per SCORM file and up to 2GB total size for all the SCORMs). The Learning Center and higher plans offer the advantage of unlimited SCORM file uploads (up to 400 MB per SCORM file).
• Trials can upload up to 3 SCORM packages with a 400 MB size limitation per SCORM file.
• For individual SCORM package uploads, there is a size limit of 400MB per file.
• If you have a custom domain connected to your school, and more specifically Cloudflare, it may  block big SCORM uploads for small packages. You can disable the Cloudflare proxy (switch to DNS only) to upload the SCORM file.