Imagine a learning ecosystem where every learner’s activity is tracked and analyzed, from the courses they complete to the skills they acquire in real-world settings. This is the promise of xAPI, also known as the Experience API or Tin Can API.
Unlike traditional eLearning standards, xAPI breaks free from the confines of LMSs, allowing for a seamless and comprehensive tracking of learning experiences across various platforms and environments. Whether it’s online courses, mobile learning apps, simulations, or even offline activities, xAPI captures it all, providing rich data insights into the complete learning journey.
However, what exactly is xAPI? And why do so many experts think that eLearning content will soon adopt this as the standard?
Activity providers (LMS, courses, games, videos, simulators, etc.) that produce xAPI statements and LRS endpoints that accept and store these statements in a database are described by XAPI. Every interaction between individuals and learning systems is documented using the standard. It sends a record or statement of learning activity in the format “noun, verb, object” to the LRS. It uses the learner’s email address or another unique identifier to identify them. This straightforward and uniform format allows for the easy recording of any learning activity from any activity provider.
Everything that can transmit an Activity Statement, be it a hardware, software, or application extension, is considered an activity provider. A smartphone app, laptop, game, podcast, movie, or even a web browser extension can all serve as activity providers in addition to learning management systems (LMSs).
Activity providers may either automatically generate many activity statements or only supply a select few at the learner’s personal request.
A piece of information that documents a learning moment is an activity statement.
Example: xAPI uses the same structure for its activity statements, such as “Tom (actor) completed (verb) the Social Media eLearning module (thing).” Each statement is a piece of data.
Activity providers may either automatically generate many activity statements or only supply a select few at the learner’s personal request.
Since the LRS gets activity statements from activity providers via xAPI, it assumes the LMS’s position as the ultimate data repository.
Since LRSs can collect data from a wide range of sources in addition to SCORM packages, they are far more adaptable than LMSs. This increases the possibility of detailed and categorized reporting significantly.
Nevertheless, LRSs might not be able to slice and report on data on their own; for this last step, a different reporting and analytics tool is needed, or the LRS might be integrated with an LMS to benefit from the LMS’s reporting features.
Traditional learning management systems (LMSs) simply keep track of students’ activity within the LMS; xAPI can accomplish one task for you. All student activities, including jobs and tasks that apply what they have learned, can be monitored with xAPI. To provide you with information about how students engage with the material, navigate, click, and which activities are most popular with them, they can gather digital insights. Because it can interface with mobile applications and track learners’ real-world outcomes in addition to their training activities, xAPI can also enable extended use of SCORM.
Thanks to the x-API, learning administrators can monitor the learning activities that their students are engaged in. These can be gathered via several platforms, including an LMS, a mobile app, or even an online tool like Google Docs.
The Experience API (xAPI), also known as Tin Can API, is a specification for learning technologies that enables data collection regarding an individual’s vast array of experiences (both online and offline).
Tracking a wide range of learning activities is one of many benefits of using xAPI over SCORM. Stated differently, it permits the use of eLearning courses across several LMSs, but because its primary purpose is to track eLearning within the LMS, it provides a wealth of information. Since SCORM does not offer a lot of this data, you obtain detailed information from a variety of learning outcomes, successes, and experiences.
With xAPI, you can effortlessly monitor the same information that SCORM offers while obtaining specific information for actions related to blended learning, team-based learning, and individual and group learning. During an online course, you may use the Tin may API to follow a student’s progress in real time with just one click.
