Benefits of a Tin Can API-Compliant Learning Management System

Are you familiar with Tin Can API or Tin Can LMS? If you have been involved with eLearning, chances are that you’d have already seen or heard references to Tin Can API. If not, don’t worry. This blog post can help you out.

Watch This Video To Know What is the Experience API or Tin Can API? Know about Tin Can API (xAPI) Features and Benefits

The definition of Tin Can according to Wikipedia:

“Tin Can API is an eLearning software specification that allows learning content and learning systems to speak to each other in a manner that records and tracks all types of learning experiences, which are recorded in a Learning Record Store. LRSs can exist within traditional learning management systems (LMSs) or on their own.”

In simple words, Tin Can API tracks, records, and evaluates the learning activities of each trainee. The data collected is utilized to assess the progress made by learners through their course in a Tin Can eLearning environment.

SCORM vs Tin Can API

The quickest and easiest way to understand the basic differences between SCORM and Tin Can API is to use the metaphor of a landline phone and a smartphone.

SCORM  is similar to a landline that you can make phone calls only. In contrast, Tin Can API resembles a smartphone that goes beyond just making calls. You can use it to send messages, take pictures, record video clips, share files, and so on. So, SCORM enables just the basic functions of eLearning, while xAPI takes care of many more things.

To help you understand the concept better, the following table shows the major differences between the two specifications:

	SCORM	xAPI
Track completion	✔	✔
Track time	✔	✔
Track pass/fail	✔	✔
Report a single score	✔	✔
Report multiple scores		✔
Detailed test results		✔
Solid security		✔
No LMS required		✔
No internet browser required		✔
Keep complete control over your content		✔
No cross-domain limitation		✔
Use mobile apps for learning		✔
Platform transition (i.e. computer to mobile)		✔
Track serious games		✔
Track simulations		✔
Track informal learning		✔
Track real-world performance		✔
Track offline learning		✔
Track interactive learning		✔
Track adaptive learning		✔
Track blended learning		✔
Track long-term learning		✔
Track team-based learning		✔

(source: xapi.com)

Latest Standard for Online Training

Not so long ago, Tin Can API emerged as the latest standard for delivering online training across industries as evident in Tin Can API LMSs. However, eLearning courses are not all about developing and sharing learning materials among users. Companies especially look for a feasible employee training solution that takes care of two important tasks at a time: training and evaluation.

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Improved Version of SCORM

Tin Can (xAPI), also known as Experience API, emerged as that ideal solution for assessing the effectiveness of corporate training programs. This particular software specification has proved to be a much superior version of its predecessor, SCORM.

Irrespective of the fact that both SCORM and Tin Can are eLearning standards used for measuring the impact of online courses, the question remains: whether Tin Can API can bring a strategic shift in the eLearning industry?

Before SCORM came into the picture in 1999, content developers and eLearning managers faced difficulties with data interoperability. SCORM addressed this issue immediately. eLearning courses were developed using a single authoring tool and were easily shared with any number of learners on different platforms as long as the courses were SCORM-compliant.

Despite this fact, SCORM API lacked advanced reporting features and the ability to track learning outside the LMS environment. The exact area where SCORM lacks, Tin Can or Experience API excels.

To justify the words spoken in favor of Tin Can, this blog post highlights the main benefits of a Tin Can API over SCORM. Read on to find out:

Tracking Learning Activities Hosted on LMS

Tin Can API’s ultimate purpose is to track and evaluate learning activities of trainees. This web-based learning management system facilitates ‘anytime and anywhere’ accessibility for both learners and trainers. Further, their activities can also be traced at times when trainees are offline. The Learning Record Store or LRS takes care of the recording part.

Every single interaction that takes place between the learner and the course is virtually recorded. Such valuable records are later used for identifying:

• The users who took the course
• Progress made by the learners
• Course areas that need improvement

Web Browser-Independent

Since Tin Can API or Experience API works just fine in the absence of any internet connection, web-browser restrictions do not apply. This particular feature makes Tin Can a perfect option compared to its predecessor. However, users have to reconnect their Tin Can LMS back to the internet regularly so that their LRS can gather as much data as possible.

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Today, learners prefer reading or working on their tablets, laptops, and smartphone when traveling places. Such exciting perks that eLearning courses offer can be helpful to them.

Collection of Data from Sources

Tin Can statements, characteristic of a Tin Can API LMS and shared between different devices, facilitate ‘anytime, anywhere’ accessibility of the course content.

Example: If learners begin taking a course from a desktop, they can access the same data later from a laptop or a smartphone. Even the learning progress is traceable easily from different devices when used at different times.

Content Developers Can Work Outside the LMS

Content developers can delve further into the depths of creativity when it comes to course presentation. But for that, they need not rely entirely on a particular browser or technology associated with the browser. You can stay unconfined within an LMS platform.

How? Select the type of technology you feel is right for your training course. All you need is a Learning Record Store or LRS. This is the ultimate tool that you need for storing any data and share it with the LMS after connecting the electronic device to the web.

Further, the eLearning course can use the data which is sourced from different servers. Such a process enhances the overall learning experience of the course takers since they can access the content outside your standard LMS.

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Track & Record Virtually Anything

This is one specific area where the SCORM-compliant learning management systems failed to leave a lasting mark on users. SCORM’s successor Tin Can or Experience API possess the much-needed capability to track and record virtually anything and everything.

Tracking and recording outcomes of serious games, simulations, real-world performances as well as receiving data from offline learning sum up the core responsibility of the versatile Tin Can or Tin Can LMS.

Is Your LMS Tin Can-Compliant?

Choosing the right option is probably the most challenging task ever. Both SCORM and Tin Can have their share of benefits and limitations. If your target is to cater to basic course creation and testing needs, then SCORM-compliant LMS can be the ideal solution for you.

But, if you need to explore further into more intricate details, then opt for the Tin Can compliant-LMS.

Tin Can-compliant LMS has proved its worth especially when data tracking and recording are the ultimate objectives of any web-based learning program. The benefits we discussed above will give you a clear idea of why SCORM was replaced by Tin Can.

So, is your LMS Tin Can-compliant? Why hold yourself back when you can track, report, control, and manage your learning in a much better way with Tin Can API? Unlock all the benefits of Tiin Can learning with Tin Can API. Schedule a Demo of Tin Can LMS today to get a fair idea of how it all works.