In this paper, the authors describe the process of converting the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Introductory Course (AFMSIC) to conform to the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM). SCORM is a collection and harmonization of specifications and standards that define the interrelationship of content objects, data models, and protocols such that objects are sharable across systems that conform to the same model.

The Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS) collaborated with the Joint ADL Co-Lab to demonstrate the process of converting web-based courseware to conform to SCORM, while collecting lessons learned, resulting in the production of a SCORM 2004 conformant course.

The objective of this paper is to explain this conversion process, while sharing lessons learned with the education and training communities implementing SCORM conformant courseware, to align with DoD distributed learning policy. The process involved (1) reviewing organizational concerns; (2) ensuring content remained instructionally sound; (3) defining Sharable Content Objects (SCOs); (4) debating the pros and cons of converting to SCORM 1.2 or 2004; (5) adjusting the design and development to include the Sequencing and Navigation specifications of SCORM 2004; (6) using practical tools; and (7) testing the courseware in the SCORM Conformance Test Suite.