How Sequencing Applies to You

Overview

In order to understand Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM®) Sequencing there are some key terms that you must first know:

  • Learning Activity
  • Cluster
  • Leaf
  • Activity Tree.

Learning Activity

A learning activity is defined as a meaningful unit of instruction. A learning activity can be a module, lesson, etc. Learning activities can also consist of sub-activities such as a pre-test or post-test.

Cluster

A cluster is a specialized form of a learning activity that has sub-activities. Clusters consist of a single parent activity and its immediate children, but not the descendents of its children. Clusters are considered the basic building blocks of an Activity Tree. The parent activity in a cluster describes the sequencing strategy for that cluster.

Leaf

The children of a cluster are either leaf activities or other clusters. The sequencing strategy will define how content objects of leaf activities (non-cluster children) are delivered. Along with clusters, a leaf is considered a basic building block of an Activity Tree.

Activity Tree

Activity Trees are used in SCORM to describe how learning activities are structured. These are the main components of sequencing. Together the learning activities, clusters and leaves all make up what is known as the Activity Tree and from this tree the sequencing is developed.