Learning management systems are a pervasive tool in higher education, but many seasoned instructors chafe at the limitations of their SCORM-based learning management system. Tin Can is the next generation SCORM, redesigned for an era of mobile devices, massive online open courses (MOOCs), interactive content providers, and savvy instructors. Join interactive textbook pioneer, June Jamrich Parsons, for a session packed with information about this cutting edge technology. You’ll preview some innovative Tin Can apps while exploring how Tin Can will transform your learning management system and create possibilities for changing the learning dynamics in your courses.

1. Tin Can + LMS = New Possibilities
June Jamrich Parsons, Author
New Perspectives on Computer Concepts
New Perspectives Microsoft Excel
Practical Computer Literacy
The Practical PC
Practical Open Source Office
Practical Microsoft Office

2. What do you think?
• Which LMS do you use?
• What do you like best about it?
• What do you like least about it?

3. First Encounters
76 32
97
88
Scores
LMS
86
20

4. First Encounters
76 32
97
88
Scores
LMS
86
20

5. First Encounters
76 32
97
88
SCORM
Scores
LMS
86
20

6. What’s under the hood?
SCORM

7. SCORM
• Shareable Content Object Reference
Model
• Developed by ADL (Advanced Distributed
Learning) initiative under the direction of
the U.S. Department of Defense
• SCORM 1.1 released 2000
• Current: SCORM 2004 4th Ed. released
2009

8. SCORM is “Siloed” Technology
© Anne Burgess
• Siloed Application: An application that does not interact with other applications or
information systems. A siloed application is any software that functions on its own to
solve a problem. Such applications are often found within the many departments of large
enterprises.

9. “Shared” means that once you
create a module, you can install it
on any compliant LMS
LMS
LMS LMS
LMS

10. “Shared” means that once you
create a module, you can install it
on any compliant LMS
Lesso LMS
n1
LMS LMS
LMS

11. “Shared” means that once you
create a module, you can install it
on any compliant LMS
Lesso
n1
Lesso LMS
n1
LMS LMS
LMS

12. “Shared” means that once you
create a module, you can install it
on any compliant LMS
Lesso
n1
Lesso LMS Lesso
n1 n1
LMS LMS
LMS

13. “Shared” means that once you
create a module, you can install it
on any compliant LMS
Lesso
n1
Lesso LMS Lesso
n1 n1 Lesso
n1
LMS LMS
LMS

14. But there is no access to external data
95 88
Lesso
n1 100%
32
99 28
LMS
LMS LMS
LMS

15. SCORM doesn’t handle scores from:
MOOCs
Instructional
Cloud-based Textbooks
CDs
LMS
Mobile Apps Khan Academy

16. Tin Can to the Rescue!
• Tin Can is a modernized version of
SCORM that frees instructors,
students, and data from the confines
of siloed learning management
systems.

17. • Also referred to as “the Experience
API” or “Next Generation SCORM”

18. • Developed by ADL (SCORM
developers) and Rustici Software
• Released in 2012
• Tin Can is an API (application
programming interface)

19. • Tin Can is an API (application
programming interface)
• Open source (free)

20. Share most any learning data
• Formal Learning
• Test scores
• Completing a reading assignment
• Submitting homework
• Informal Learning
• Attending class
• Participating in a mentoring session
• Accessing a social network
• Finding a fact with Google
• Reading a Wikipedia page

21. Rich reporting language
Asserted
Subject Verb Object Target Result Date
by
Khan Sally
Completed Quiz 2 100 90 12/10
Academy Student

22. Rich reporting language
http://youtu.be/cRJaF9ikhMc

23. Tin Can collects data from any compliant app...
MOOCs
Instructional
Cloud-based Textbooks
CDs
Mobile Apps
Khan Academy

24. ...and ships it to an LRS
MOOCs
LRS

25. LRS
• An LRS (learning record store) is basically
a database for Tin Can data
• It can be used on its own or in conjunction
with an LMS
© Rustici Software

26. Track data from any compliant source
• The learning experience to be tracked doesn’t have to
originate in the LMS. In SCORM, the only way to track a
learning experience is to login to an LMS, register for a
preselected e-learning course and then launch it from
within the LMS. In Tin Can, it doesn’t matter where or
when students discover and begin a learning experience,
it can all be tracked.

27. Setup optional
• The LRS doesn’t need to know about activities ahead of
time. In SCORM, content must be imported and
registered with the LMS before it can be delivered and
tracked. This limits what can be tracked to e-learning
content that the LMS administrator has preselected. A Tin
Can LRS collects data on the fly for learning activities and
even for your student roster.

28. Let’s try it
• Tin Can Bookmarklet

29. Let’s try it
• Cloud-based textbook

30. Learning data becomes ubiquitous
• Collect data from many sources
• Collect data for a wide variety of activities
• Publishers as well as instructors can
collect data

31. Issues
• Understand the meaning of what you
collect
– Time on page
– Access to page
– Unproctored scores

32. Issues
• Student Privacy
– How much data about a student’s study habits
should be available to instructors and
publishers?
– How do you factor in soft skills with hard
results?

33. More to Explore
• tincanapi.com
• scorm.com/tincanoverview/
• www.saltbox.com/ [WaxLRS]
• tincanapi.com/what-is-tin-can/adopters/