The next learning standard: What is cmi5? The ADL and Department of Defense have moved forward with cmi5 issuing two 2020 directives for growth of the specification including a test suite and profile server but many in the training industry still don't know where to go for information or how to make content conformant. If you are not familiar with cmi5 it is a profile for xAPI. Specifically, cmi5 is the use-case for xAPI in the "LMS launches content" scenario. Originally released by the Advanced Distributing Learning initiative (ADL) in 2016, cmi5 is the "official" specification for launching xAPI content from an LMS. In this session, we will review the history of LMS to content communication and the goals of cmi5. In addition to benefits of the profile, we will discuss the current state of tools and industry drivers, like DoDI 1322.26 and the 2020 ADL Broad Agency Announcement for a cmi5 Test Suite. PLEASE NOTE: Attendees should have a basic understanding of xAPI to fully benefit from this webinar. To view the 'xAPI 101' webinar video, visit https://youtu.be/v9WwyKTKeJM. Session Facilitators: Art Werkenthin, CEO of RISC, Inc. As an early xAPI enthusiast, Art led RISC to be the first to implement xAPI 1.0 in a commercial LMS. Since 2012, he has been an active participant on the ADL cmi5 committee. Art frequently presents and authors blog articles on xAPI and cmi5 and is considered to be among the industry's leading experts on both specs. Duncan Welder, Director of Client Services at RISC, Inc. Duncan is an xAPI evangelist and advocate. He frequently speaks at industry conferences on xAPI and its capabilities, including DevLearn and TorranceLearning's xAPI Cohort.

1. WHAT IS cmi5 AND WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT NOW?
The future of e-learning standards
8 March 2021

2. • ART WERKENTHIN
• RISC-INC.COM
• @AWERKENTHIN
• ARTW@RISC-INC.COM
• DUNCAN WELDER
• RISC-INC.COM
• @DUNCANWIV
• DUNCANW@RISC-INC.COM

3. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
WHAT’S
WRONG WITH
SCORM?
• Browser-based
• Limited Data
• Not Mobile Friendly
• Not Secure
• Obsolete Technology
• Content must reside in same domain
as LMS
• Cannot use a CDN3 to improve
performance
• Cannot have “content as a
service”
• …and on and on…
3 Content Distribution Network
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

4. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
xAPI IS NOT THE
NEW SCORM
• xAPI defines:
• Communication layer
• Storage
• No mention of LMS
• SCORM features missing:
• Packaging
• Sequencing
• Launch
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

5. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
DIDN’T xAPI FIX ALL THAT?
Scheduling
Assessment
Competencies
Learning Records
Sequencing
User
Management
Requirements
Tracking
Certification
Curricula
Definition
Delivery
Search
Course
Management
Compliance
Preferences
Reports

6. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
INTRODUCING cmi5
• cmi5 is a profile for using xAPI with an LMS.
• Use-case for “LMS launches xAPI content” scenario.
• Created by AICC, ADL and Industry.
• Released in June 2016.
1Experience API
2 Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

7. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
HISTORY OF cmi5
• AICC 1993
• SCORM 2001, 2004
• xAPI 2013
• cmi5 2016
• ADL LRS CONFORMANCE 2017
• PROFILE SERVER
• cmi5 CONFORMANCE SUITE
• IEEE

8. cmi5 VS. xAPI PACKAGE
• Many authoring tools have
a “publish to xAPI” option.
• Important limitations
• It is not a defined or supported specification.
• It has no defined completion criteria.
• It is not interoperable.
• It violates the xAPI spec.
• …and more.
Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
Wait…I can
already use
xAPI content
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

9. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
KEY
BENEFITS
OF cmi5
• No Popups
(if properly implemented by the LMS)
• Mobile friendly
• Extensibility
• Content Defined Data
• Context extensions
• Distributed Content & CaaS*
• Share data between learning activities
* Content as a Service

10. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
KEY
BENEFITS
OF cmi5
• Clarity of “move on” criteria
• Complete Course Structure
• Client agnostic
• Not dependent on browser
• Modern coding architecture
• Data Portability (it’s just xAPI)

11. EXAMPLE -COURSE STRUCTURE

12. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
EXAMPLE:
CONTENT
DEFINED DATA
• Use Case
You build a content module that wants
to record the exact
steps a user took to perform a
procedure, with video.
• Without cmi5
You need to build a custom app to
store the data.
• With cmi5
All the data can be recorded in the LRS
and fetched for reporting.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

13. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
EXAMPLE DATA
SHARING
• Use Case
You have a multi-AU course. You
need data entered by the student
in AU #1 displayed in AU #3.
• Without cmi5
You must customize the LMS to
make this data available, or
record it in a custom system.
• With cmi5
AU #1 records the data in the LRS,
and AU #3 fetches it.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

14. cmi5 ADOPTION TRENDS
As of 10/2019
27K total xAPI course packages, a
148% increase in the last 3 years.
Nearly 4K cmi5 course packages,
an increase of 233% in last year.
Courtesy

15. cmi5 ADOPTERS
As of 9/14/2020
Seems like
a adoption
is slow…

16. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
cmi5 CONFORMANCE TEST SUITE
• History
• BAA announced at iFest 2019
• Replaced by Request for
Solutions (RFS) on TReX in
May 2020
• Submissions were due by June 19, 2020. Awarded in august.
• Critical to adoption of cmi5
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

17. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
• From the cmi5 RFS:
“SCORM is not extensible enough to
support the myriad of technologies
used in modern training and
education environments….”
• “The cmi5 specification provides a
better (more flexible, adaptable, and
robust) alternative to current SCORM
standards.”
THE FUTURE OF
SCORM

18. THE FUTURE OF SCORM
• While the future is bleak, SCORM will survive
for many years to come.
• There are millions of SCORM content
modules
• No direct way to convert SCORM to cmi5
without republishing (Probably)
• The cmi5 RFS makes it clear that DoD is looking
for a path away from SCORM.
• Implication: If you can use cmi5, do so to future-
proof your content.
Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.

19. Copyright 2020 RISC, Inc.
REFERENCES
• cmi5 Home Website
http://aicc.github.io/CMI-5_Spec_Current/
• cmi5 vs. SCORM
http://aicc.github.io/CMI-5_Spec_Current/SCORM/
• cmi5 vs xAPI “Package”
http://aicc.github.io/CMI-5_Spec_Current/tincan/
• Intro to cmi5
https://risc-inc.com/next-generation-scorm-cmi5/

20. • ART WERKENTHIN
• RISC-INC.COM
• @AWERKENTHIN
• ARTW@RISC-INC.COM
• DUNCAN WELDER
• RISC-INC.COM
• @DUNCANWIV
• DUNCANW@RISC-INC.COM