Tag: scorm

Java error message: Several Java Virtual Machines running in the same process

When attempting to launch browser-based SCORM courseware, people have been getting the error: “Several Java Virtual Machines running in the same process caused an error”

Apparently many people have this issue since upgrading java. I came across it because it can affect the delivery of elearning courses if the learning management system relies on a java-applet based scorm adaptor to communicate.

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A SCORM-ready template: Part 1F. Modifying the CSS styles


Modifying the CSS styles

The css styles are defined in several sheets. Any of the styles can be overridden by adding a new definition for the selector to /css-local/userStyles.js or to individual pages or even individual elements on a page. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO change any of the files inside the css/ folder but you can add your own overrides to userStyles.css.

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Create Inter-sco navigation for SumTotal 6.5

SCORM courses in the SumTotal 6.5 Learning Management System are launched from a page that lists each SCO (lesson) in a list of links representing the course structure.

On clicking the “Enter the Lesson” button next to any SCO, a new frameset window opens. The screenshot below shows the “Enter the Lesson” page, with the course window open in front of it.


(Click to enlarge)

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Randomizing Captivate Quizzes

Captivate quizzes are easy to create, but they lack some often-requested features. Even using version 2, it is difficult, if not impossible, to randomize questions within Captivate. The following method will alter the html wrapper generated when you publish a Captivate project so that it chooses from a bank of alternate Captivate SWF files when the page opens.

Download example HTML wrapper file

When you publish to Flash (SWF) in Captivate, Captivate creates an HTML wrapper which contains the SWF file in an object tag. (Usually titled “ProjectTitle.htm”) There is a variable, “strURLFile ,” which determines which Captivate file is launched. In the unaltered file, this variable is set to the project title you set when you published.

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Limiting number of tries on Perception Quizzes under SCORM control

When Questionmark Perception is launched from an LMS using SCORM, Perception’s built-in user management system can’t be used. Perception receives user data from the LMS, and although it stores that data with the results of the quizzes, it can’t use the data for purposes of scheduling and limiting access to quizzes.

Unfortunately, our LMS, SumTotal 6.5, does not have a good way to limit attempts on a learning activity either. There is a rather inflexible option: If you set any learning activity to “allow access upon completion,” after the activity has been completed once, the user will only be able to launch the activity for purposes of browsing, but never take it again for credit. In other words, the user can not enroll again.

This isn’t always the best solution. For example, we wanted to allow two or three tries, depending on the quiz, and we never allow users to browse old quizzes.

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