Dynamic SCORM
Dynamic SCORM lets you upload a lightweight package to your LMS once, then publish routine course updates from Slate. Your LMS continues to launch the course and track learner results while Slate hosts and serves the current published content.
Every active Pro workspace includes Dynamic SCORM delivery for up to 100 unique learners per year. See audience levels and contact Slate if you need more capacity.
How it works
Section titled “How it works”A Standard SCORM package contains the course player, content, and uploaded media. It is self-contained, but each content change requires another export and LMS upload.
A Dynamic SCORM package contains the SCORM manifest and a small loader. When the LMS launches it, the loader connects to the published course hosted by Slate. Completion, score, bookmarking, and SCORM 2004 question interactions continue to report to the LMS.
When you publish an update, existing Dynamic SCORM packages stay connected to the same course. Learners receive the updated content when they next open or refresh the course.
Standard vs Dynamic delivery
Section titled “Standard vs Dynamic delivery”| Standard SCORM | Dynamic SCORM | |
|---|---|---|
| Package contents | Course player, content, and uploaded media | SCORM manifest and secure loader |
| Package size | Scales with the course’s media | Around 5 KB |
| Routine updates | Export and upload another package | Use Publish Update in Slate |
| Internet required | No, after installation | Yes, while taking the course |
| SCORM versions | 1.2, 2004 3rd Edition, 2004 4th Edition | 1.2, 2004 3rd Edition, 2004 4th Edition |
| LMS tracking | Completion, score, bookmarking, and supported interactions | The same tracking capabilities |
| Plan | Free (SCORM 1.2 only), Standard, or Pro | Pro |
Export a Dynamic SCORM package
Section titled “Export a Dynamic SCORM package”- Open the course in Slate.
- Open the Publish menu and select Download.
- Select LMS Package.
- Choose SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 3rd Edition, or SCORM 2004 4th Edition.
- Under Delivery, select Dynamic.
- Select Export, then download the ZIP when it is ready.
- Upload the ZIP to your LMS and test it before assigning the course to learners.
From the LMS’s perspective, the ZIP installs and launches like another SCORM package. Learners need internet access because the course content and media are delivered by Slate.
Publish an update
Section titled “Publish an update”After you have exported and uploaded a Dynamic SCORM package:
- Make and review your changes in Slate.
- Open the Publish menu.
- Select Publish Update.
- Review the confirmation, then select Publish.
Slate publishes the latest course content to the existing Dynamic SCORM deployment. You do not need to replace the LMS package for routine changes to text, media, lessons, blocks, or the course theme.
Publish Update only updates a course that already has a Dynamic SCORM package. If you have not exported one yet, create and upload the package first.
Changes that require a new package
Section titled “Changes that require a new package”Some settings are written into imsmanifest.xml when the ZIP is created. Your LMS reads those settings when it registers the package, so publishing hosted content cannot change them.
Export and upload a replacement Dynamic SCORM package after:
- adding or removing the course assessment;
- changing the assessment passing score.
Other assessment settings, such as attempt limits, question order, and feedback, are part of the hosted course content and can be published normally.
Audience allowance
Section titled “Audience allowance”Dynamic SCORM delivery for up to 100 unique learners per year is included with each active Pro workspace. The allowance is shared across the workspace’s Dynamic SCORM courses.
When an LMS provides a stable learner identifier, reopening a course does not count the same learner again during the annual period. Different or missing LMS identifiers can affect how learners are recognized.
For larger audiences, contact Slate about annual hosted-delivery add-ons for up to 500, 2,000, or 5,000 learners, with custom plans above 5,000. Contact Slate about an add-on.
When to use Dynamic SCORM
Section titled “When to use Dynamic SCORM”Dynamic SCORM is a good fit when:
- compliance, policy, onboarding, or product content changes regularly;
- you need to correct content without repeating the LMS upload process;
- the same course is installed in more than one LMS;
- learners have internet access while taking the course.
Use Standard SCORM when:
- learners need offline access;
- the LMS cannot reach content hosted on the public internet;
- you need a self-contained archive;
- the content rarely changes after release.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Does Dynamic SCORM work with any LMS?
Section titled “Does Dynamic SCORM work with any LMS?”It works with LMS platforms that support SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004 and allow the course to load content over the internet. Test the package in your LMS before assigning it broadly. SCORM Cloud is useful for validating tracking and launch behaviour independently.
Does the LMS still track learner results?
Section titled “Does the LMS still track learner results?”Yes. The LMS remains the system of record for completion, score, bookmarking, and supported question interactions. Slate hosts the course content, not the learner transcript.
How quickly do updates reach learners?
Section titled “How quickly do updates reach learners?”The update is available after Publish Update completes. Learners receive it when they next open or refresh the course.
Can I convert an existing Standard SCORM package?
Section titled “Can I convert an existing Standard SCORM package?”No. Export a new package with Delivery set to Dynamic, then upload it to the LMS. Standard and Dynamic packages use different delivery models.
What happens if the Pro subscription ends?
Section titled “What happens if the Pro subscription ends?”Dynamic SCORM depends on an active Pro workspace because Slate hosts the course. Before changing or cancelling the subscription, export a Standard SCORM package and arrange to replace the Dynamic package in each LMS where the course must remain available.