Let’s continue with Ben’s interview on another beneficial topic – the pros and cons of using a single SCORM vs. multiple SCORM files.
Hi, Ben. Let’s continue with what we left out last time. First, I remember in the past interview on the two delivery approaches of “Use Subtitles” and “Change VO & Text-on-screen”. Can you elaborate more on that?
Hi, Sal. Sure, ask away! Hurm… Both approaches have their pros and cons, so let me explain them one by one.
Use Subtitles
Pros:
Simplicity – We have our own “multiple closed captions technique”, so it is easier for us to add multiple languages in the closed caption (cc). We can export the list of text to a Word document so that the translator can input the translation work into the Word document. Then, we can import the translation into the authoring tool. That’s it!
Lower Cost – This approach has a lower development cost compared to “Change VO & Text-on-screen” as the animator does not need to replace the voice-over file and text-on-screen.
Cons:
Limitation in Learning – Although there are a lot of benefits, this approach has its limitations. Learners are more likely to miss out on important information passed through the cc if they disable it.
Change VO & Text-on-screen
Pros:
Effective in Learning – Using this approach, viewers will not miss out on important information even if they decide to disable the cc.
Cons:
Higher Cost – On the other hand, the development cost for this approach is higher as we need to engage voice-over talents to record their voices and our animators have to replace all the voice files.
That’s a very clear explanation and I know that our reader can have a clear picture on both approaches. Moving on, can you share with us the pros and cons of using single or multiple SCORM files?
Yes, of course! The SCORM files hosted in LMS is useful for tracking the learning records. If we host the main language in one SCORM and the secondary language in another SCORM, your LMS administrator will have difficulties consolidating the learning records. Let me break it down for your understanding.
Single SCORM File
Pros:
Easy Tracking – When using a single SCORM file, the LMS administrator can track the learning records of all learners easily.
Cons:
Large File Size – However, the file size will be larger as the contents with all languages are bundled as a single file.
More Skills Needed – There is also the need of additional programming to switch the cc from the main to the second language as of 17 Jan 2024 for some popular authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate.
Multiple SCORM Files
Pros:
Small File Size – If we create multiple SCORM files, the file size will be smaller as each file only stores a single language content.
Cons:
More Learning Records – Although the file size is smaller, the LMS administrator will face difficulties to consolidate the learning records of each language.
Higher Cost – Besides, animators need to maintain individual source file on each language. They have to rework on all source files even for minor changes.
I know Adobe has a tool called Adobe Multi-SCORM packager. What’s your thought on the approach of creating separate SCORM files for different languages and then using the Adobe tool to package them into a single SCORM file?
Adobe Multi-SCORM packager is good if you wish to display all content from multiple SCORM files. Unfortunately, learners do not have access to the language option to show language-specific content.
I can understand that putting multiple language content into a single SCORM file has many benefits for the customers; but, how about the workload on our production side?
Yes, it is beneficial to both the customers and our production side! Managing multiple SCORM files can be more complex than managing a single SCORM package. Hence, the workload is less for managing a single file.