Background

As the Instructional Designer for the ATLAS (Arthritis Training, Learning, and Up-Skilling) project at Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA, I was responsible for the technical implementation and SCORM compliance of 14 eLearning modules focused on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). These modules were designed to provide comprehensive training to healthcare professionals across Australia and internationally.

Challenge

The project presented several complex challenges:

  1. Creating a consistent user experience across 14 distinct modules

  2. Ensuring accurate tracking and completion reporting for professional certification

  3. Accommodating healthcare professionals who needed to complete training in multiple sessions

  4. Supporting diverse technical environments including rural settings with connectivity issues

  5. Implementing advanced analytics to measure learning effectiveness

  6. Meeting endorsement requirements from the Australian Rheumatology Association

Approach & Implementation

Technical Requirements Analysis

Before beginning implementation, I conducted a thorough analysis of:

  • Target audience technical environments and constraints

  • Learning Management System requirements for multiple potential platforms

  • Required tracking and reporting capabilities

  • Mobile accessibility needs for healthcare professionals

Tracking Configuration Systems

The foundation of our SCORM implementation was a robust tracking system that allowed accurate monitoring of learner progress:

  • Completion Criteria Definition: I established clear, consistent criteria across all modules to determine when a learner had successfully completed each module. This included defining mandatory interactions, minimum time requirements, and assessment thresholds.

  • Progress Tracking Setup: I implemented granular progress tracking that monitored not just page visits but meaningful engagement with content. This included tracking interactive elements, knowledge checks, and time spent on key content areas.

  • Assessment Result Reporting: For modules with assessments, I configured detailed result reporting that captured both overall scores and question-level performance data. This provided valuable insights into knowledge gaps and allowed for targeted follow-up training.

Bookmark/Resume Management

Healthcare professionals often face time constraints, making reliable bookmark and resume functionality essential:

  • Session State Preservation: I implemented sophisticated state preservation that saved learner progress automatically at regular intervals and whenever users exited modules.

  • Position Memory Systems: Beyond simply recording the last visited page, our system captured interaction states, quiz responses, and simulation progress to create a truly seamless resume experience.

  • Continuous Learning Support: I created user-friendly notifications and navigation aids that helped learners easily return to their last position and understand their progress through the module.

Completion Criteria Definition

Different modules required different completion rules based on their learning objectives:

  • Success Status Configuration: I configured varied success criteria based on module purpose—some required 100% content viewing, while others required passing assessments with minimum scores.

  • Mastery Score Implementation: For assessment-based modules, I established appropriate mastery thresholds (typically 80% for clinical knowledge) and provided clear feedback on achievement.

  • Partial Completion Management: I implemented a system that encouraged module completion through progress visualization and clear indicators of remaining requirements, supporting learners who completed modules over multiple sessions.

xAPI Integration

Beyond standard SCORM tracking, I implemented advanced xAPI functionality:

  • Advanced Learning Analytics: The system captured detailed learning analytics including path progression, time allocation, and interaction patterns to provide richer data on learning behaviors.

  • Detailed Interaction Tracking: I configured click-level data collection for key clinical decision-making scenarios, allowing us to analyze how practitioners approached diagnostic and treatment decisions.

  • Performance Pattern Analysis: The implementation included systems to identify common challenge points and success factors, providing valuable data for future module refinements and additional support resources.

Platform Compatibility

Ensuring consistent performance across diverse technical environments was critical:

  • Mobile-Responsive Design: I implemented responsive design principles with adaptive layouts, touch-optimized interactions, and flexible navigation to support learning on various devices.

  • Cross-Browser Optimization: The modules were tested and optimized across multiple browsers common in healthcare settings, with feature detection systems and graceful degradation for older browsers.

  • Variable Connection Speed Handling: Recognizing connectivity challenges, I implemented progressive loading, bandwidth optimization, and selective resource caching to ensure reliable performance even in rural healthcare settings.

Results

The SCORM implementation for the RA modules resulted in significant benefits:

  • Exceptional Completion Rates: The modules achieved a 57.8% completion rate, substantially exceeding the industry standard of 20-30% for voluntary professional development.

  • Widespread Adoption: The accessibility and reliable performance helped expand the user base to 1,598 Australian and 704 international healthcare practitioners.

  • High User Satisfaction: The modules maintained an average content satisfaction rating of 4.8/5, with specific positive feedback on the seamless user experience and resume functionality.

  • Professional Recognition: The technical implementation was a key factor in securing formal endorsement from the Australian Rheumatology Association, enhancing program credibility.

  • Data-Driven Improvements: The advanced tracking systems provided valuable insights that informed subsequent module improvements and additional support resources.

  • Flexible Learning Support: The bookmark/resume functionality and mobile optimization resulted in increased engagement from busy healthcare professionals who could fit learning into their schedules.

Key Learnings

This implementation reinforced several important principles for effective eLearning development:

  1. User-centered design matters: Understanding the real-world constraints and needs of healthcare professionals directly influenced technical implementation decisions.

  2. Technical robustness builds trust: Reliable performance across different environments was essential for professional adoption and completion.

  3. Data collection should balance depth with privacy: While collecting detailed learner data, we carefully considered privacy implications and communicated transparently about data usage.

  4. Cross-platform testing is non-negotiable: Thorough testing across multiple devices, browsers, and connection speeds was essential to identify and resolve issues before launch.

  5. Future scalability requires planning: Implementing standardized approaches across all modules created efficiency for future updates and additions to the program.

The successful implementation of SCORM for these 14 RA modules demonstrated how technical excellence supports learning outcomes, providing healthcare professionals with accessible, reliable, and effective professional development that ultimately improves patient care.