E-Learning Testing

Global E-Learning Market to Reach $325 billion by 2025 – Rapid Growth in Online Content & Digitization / Innovations in Wearable Technologies are Flourishing the E-learning Industry Nasdaq

Why is it so important to test E-Learning platforms?

e-Learning applications and websites are fastest emerging sector because it is the medium of choice when it comes to educational content delivery to students, tutors and global learners.

These applications and websites have changed the education landscape by providing world standard learning solutions. There are different types of e- learning platforms available in the market, which are listed below

• Flash-based e-learning applications
• Web-based learning courses, some of them use SCORM (shareable content object reference model)
• Content assessment of web-based learning courses
• CD-ROM based learning courses
• Server-based learning management systems

Testing eLearning products at each stage of development are becoming critical due to increased number of platforms and devices, growth in online content & digitalization.

It is very much essential to ensure defect free product/application with faster time to market and fulfill end customer requirement.

What is the difference between the eLearning testing and software testing?

The main objective of testing a software application is to ensure seamless functionality, efficiency, and usability. The main objective of testing an eLearning program is to ensure its “learnability” that is how “learnable” the course is.

Learnability is a combined measure of application’s functionality, accessibility, usability and performance.

Like all other application testing, e-Learning or LMS application is also validated for the end to end functionalities such as users’ management, courses, authentication, roles, instructions and LMS administration etc.

The testers ensure that these modules are seamlessly integrated with each other. Tools such as Selenium, Telerik, Coded UI Test, UFT, SoapUI or Test Complete can be used for automated functional testing services of e-Learning app / LMS application.

The application should be checked for performance under heavy load that is for the maximum number of concurrent users.

User Acceptance Testing plays a noteworthy job in eLearning and LMS, as it exhibits that required course is working in a way that meets the desire for the client.

With UAT, the partner can make sure “What’s in store” from the course, as opposed to simply assuming. The advantage of UAT is that there will be no real shocks when the application is taken off to the client.

Security is a very important aspect for any application. Many LMS solutions have a single sign in hence a thorough session of security validation is essential to ensure authentication and data security.

Vulnerability assessment and regular security audit of security systems should be practiced to mitigate this.

e-Learning Compliance

As a refresher from above explanations, learning management systems (LMSs) are web-based applications used to plan, execute, and evaluate learning forms that are related to offline and online training and performance administration.

LMSs enable an educator to make and provide content, screen students’ support, and survey understudy execution. LMSs also enable students to utilize intuitive highlights.

What is SCORM?

SCORM stands for “Sharable Content Object Reference Model” is a standard that was developed for eLearning products.

In its core, SCORM allows interoperability among eLearning products. Especially, SCORM determines how various Learning Management Systems (LMS) communicate within them.

The latest variant of SCORM will be SCORM 2004, which incorporates the Run-Time Environment, the Content Aggregation Model and the Sequencing and Navigation particular. SCORM 1.2 is a past adaptation that is regularly still utilized.

One of the best things about it is that it is pretty easy to test and diagnose problems in SCORM powered applications.

It is very much essential that the e-learning isn’t fully SCORM compliant to access the LMS MIS Report.

Version SCORM 1.2 is widely used and is the standard supported by most Learning Management Systems today.

The another compliance which is very much necessary is AICC. LMS / e-Learning vendors, as well as testers, should be well aware of both SCROM and AICC.

AICC stands for Aviation Industry CBT Committee and primarily uses the HTTP AICC Communication Protocol (HACP) to facilitate communication between the course content and the learning management system (LMS).

AICC standards apply to the development, delivery, and evaluation of training courses that are delivered via technology. AICC stands for the Aviation Industry CBT [Computer-Based Training] Committee (AICC), which is an international association of technology-based training professionals that develops training guidelines for the aviation industry.

The another compliance which is very much necessary is AICC. LMS / e-Learning vendors, as well as testers, should be well aware of both SCROM and AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee).

AICC principally utilizes the HTTP AICC Communication Protocol (HACP) to encourage correspondence between the course content and LMS.

AICC benchmarks apply to the improvement, conveyance, and assessment of educational classes that are conveyed via technology.

Other than these two LMS should be compliant with accessibility, Interoperability and Quality Standards.

Pictorial representation -The below-listed testing is very much crucial to make an e-Learning application a grand success.

• Functionality Testing
• Accessibility Testing
• Usability Testing
• Performance Testing
• Security Testing
• Compliance Testing including SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) testing

That’s pretty much about it!!!

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