Much like in eClass, Canvas allows instructors to upload SCORM packages created in external content creation tools like Articulate Rise. The main difference in Canvas being that SCORM must be enabled in a course since it is implemented it as an external tool. Packages can be used as either an Assignment (for grades) or as a Page (for un-graded content) but it is not possibly to embed specific html-based packages within other Canvas pages or text through the RCE editor.

Getting Started

You must first enable SCORM from your course settings, from the Navigation tab:

Importing and Using SCORM

Once the tool is added, instructors can follow the Canvas documentation to upload SCORM zip files into the SCORM area of their course:

Importing SCORM as an Assignment: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-import-SCORM-files-as-an-assignment/ta-p/673

Importing SCORM as a Page: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-import-SCORM-files-as-a-page/ta-p/424015

Migrating SCORM from eClass

Courses migrated during the bulk LMS transition via K16 will have their associated SCORM files automatically added to the SCORM area of the course and embedded into the respective modules and/or assignments in Canvas course.

For users performing a regular backup/import from eClass into Canvas, the SCORM files will be created in Canvas but will not be added to the SCORM area or embedded as content. To re-use these SCORM file in the Canvas course:

1. Go to the course's Files area:

2. SCORM files are likely zip files, so you can search for 'zip' and they should appear and you can download them to your computer.

3. Go to the SCORM area of your course and re-upload/import the zip files into the SCORM area (see the linked Canvas guides above).

Grades from SCORM

A graded SCORM assignment completed by a student will send a percent value to the gradebook and factor it out the maximum score (100 by default). If the maximum is changed after scores are received from SCORM, the numerator will not adjust automatically and a student would need to resubmit as there is no way to regrade as a Quiz activity could.

Choosing a binary display value such as Complete/Incomplete will result in any score data above 0 to register as Complete.

SCORM activity results from students are not reviewable by anyone and may only be re-attempted by students, if available in the assignment settings.

Best practices for Using SCORM

SCORM grading and progress tracking may easily fail due to relying on a multi-step chain of data transfer. If any link breaks, progress may be lost.

The following are the typical causes:

• Connection Drops: SCORM sends data constantly. A brief Wi-Fi blink can cause Canvas to miss the completion signal.

• Session Timeouts: If a learner pauses a long SCORM module, Canvas may log them out in the background, blocking future data.

• Browser Blocks: Modern browsers aggressively block third-party cookies and pop-ups, which SCORM uses to talk to Canvas. Ensure users complete the following steps:

  • Enabling Cookies in Your Browser
  • Enabling Cross-Site Tracking Cookies

• Window Closing: Learners often close the browser tab before the course finishes sending its final payload.

How to Minimize Failures:

• Add a Manual Exit Button: In addition to the default Canvas/SCORM exit activity button, place an in-activity, prominent, 'Exit' button within SCORM content on the final slide to trigger a forced data sync.

• Shorten the Modules: Break long courses into smaller, 5-minute (or less) micro-learning chunks to minimize timeout risks.

• Change Tracking Triggers: Track completion by "slides viewed" rather than a quiz score if the quiz data keeps failing.

• Update the Wrapper: Publish courses using SCORM 2004 (4th Edition) instead of SCORM 1.2, as it handles data more reliably.