ADL cmi5 Committee Announces Release of Quartz Version of cmi5 Specification

The ADL cmi5 committee is pleased to announce the release ofthe Quartz version of the cmi5 specification. This is the first production release of cmi5, an xAPIprotocol that is the “use case” for xAPI in learning management systems (LMSs).ADL is currently making minor edits to the descriptive language in the specposted on GitHub (see link above); these edits do not affect the spec itself. Thefinal release, incorporating all edits, should be available on GitHub byFriday, June 3.

What is cmi5?

Essentially, cmi5 is a set of rules for using the xAPI inthe “LMS launches content” scenario. The specification defines how learningcontent is imported, launched, and tracked by the LMS using an xAPI learningrecord store (LRS).

Brief history

The cmi5 project originated with the AICC (Aviation IndustryComputer-Based Training Committee) in 2010. The original plan for cmi5 was toreplace both AICC and SCORM specifications with a more feature-rich and robustsolution. Both the AICC and SCORM specifications had technical issues andconstraints as well as significant overlap.

The AICC was nearing completion of a SOAP-based (Simple Object Access Protocol) communication mechanism for cmi5 in 2012, about the same time thatADL was completing the Tin Can API research project (now the xAPI). The AICCand ADL participants soon determined that there was substantial commonalitybetween the two specifications. Since the xAPI had broader application thancmi5, the ADL and AICC agreed to cooperate on an “xAPI profile” to meet themore specific use-case needs of cmi5. So the AICC “rebooted” the cmi5 projectin 2012 and replaced the SOAP architecture with the xAPI. In 2014, the AICCdissolved and formally transferred the cmi5 project to the ADL.

In June of 2015, the cmi5 committee released Sandstone, aversion for developers to validate with working implementations and/orprototypes. After months of validation, the Quartz release is now ready forproduction implementation.

Adopters

The following companies have already announced they aresupporting or will support cmi5:

eXact Learning Solutions	Riptide Software
E-CO e-learning studio S.r.l.	RISC
Exputo	Rustici Software
iSpring Solutions	Thrivist
Learning Templates	Trivantis
Obsidian Learning	Zavango Corp.
OnPoint Digital

More information

For more information on cmi5, please see:

cmi5 Specification

Experience API, cmi5, and Future SCORM

It’s not too late to learnmore at FocusOn 2016 in Austin!

Thecurrent agenda for FocusOn 2016 (June 8 – 10 in Austin, Texas) includes a baker’sdozen of sessions that will help you understand the xAPI and implement it inyour learning initiatives and learning environment. These sessions include onesthat focus on the basics of the xAPI, implementing the cmi5 specification, and usingthe xAPI to improve mobile training, video effectiveness, and performancesupport — and more! Although online registration has closed, you can register as a walk-in until either1) the conference sells out or 2) the final day of the conference. The unique Expo+ Pass is also available, giving you access June 8 – 9 tothe Expo Hall, the educational sessions at two exciting Expo learning stages,the incredible DemoFest, and hospitality suites. You will not find a morecomprehensive eLearning-focused event for instructional designers, developers,and learning and development managers this summer!