Selecting the Right Content Syndication Launch Type

Please Note: Content syndication is optimized for the end-customer's learning experience. When installing courses or testing courses, please LOG OUT of your academy.

Skilljar supports CMI5 and xAPI launch types for syndicated content created via your Skilljar dashboard. To learn more about content syndication, see Content Syndication. 

In this article, we’ll explain how you can use xAPI and CMI5 to launch and communicate with other learning management systems (LMS).

What are xAPI and CMI5

The Experience API (xAPI) is an e-learning specification that records and tracks various types of learning experiences for learning management systems (LMS). CMI5 is an xAPI profile that bridges the SCORM and xAPI divides by defining interoperability rules, such as launch, authorization, reporting, and course structure, that inform how an LMS and xAPI-enabled learning activities communicate. 

Skilljar uses xAPI and CMI5 launch types to communicate with other LMS when you syndicate your Skilljar training content to them. 

The LMS we support for downloading and distributing xAPI courses are: 

• Cornerstone onDemand (Verified)
• Litmos (Verified)
• Absorb (Verified - without Analytics in Absorb)
• Sumtotal (Verified)
• Saba (Verified)
• Relias (Verified - Documentation Pending)
• ThinkZoom (Verified - Documentation Pending)
• Seismic Learning - Formerly Lessonly (Verified)
• Docebo (In Beta - Troubleshooting) 
• 360 Learning (Verified - they're in Beta)
• Thought Industries (In Beta)
• UKG (Verified)

The LMS we support for downloading and distributing CMI5 courses are: 

• Bridge (Verified)
• TalentLMS (In Beta)

Select the LMS to see specific launch instructions, including the prerequisites and support file upload processes. If the LMS you're hoping to syndicate is not listed or you're interested in helping us test  this feature with an LMS, please reach out to your Customer Support Manager (CSM) or Support. 

Downloading and Distributing xAPI and CMI5 Courses 

The sections below provide steps for creating and configuring courses using the xAPI and CMI5 files from Skilljar.  The steps are to be performed in each of the respective LMS and are current as of writing. 

Note: By selecting "Download All" in the syndication configurations, you'll download a .zip folder of all associated courses, which you'll then send to your customer. They will have to open the zip folder and individually upload each course to their selected platform.

Cornerstone onDemand (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to Cornerstone OnDemand.

Find further steps and learn more about Cornerstone OnDemand at their website.

Note: These steps are for the Cornerstone OnDemand platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
  • Ensure your customer has the following permissions:
    • Course catalog - update
    • Course catalog - view
    • Course publisher
    • Online class - upload
    • View transcript item

Supported File Upload Processes

xAPI files can be uploaded through:

• CSOD’s Content Uploader via the Course Uploader Process
• Course Publisher (Legacy)

After the successful upload of xAPI files using either of the processes mentioned above, they can be searched for and managed within the Course Catalog.

Managing xAPI Courses through Course Catalog

Accessing Course Catalog:

1. Go to Admin. 
2. Select Tools. 
3. Select Learning. 
4. Select Catalog Management and then Course Catalog.

For general information, refer to the Course Catalog - General documentation.

Ensuring Successful Course Launch

In the General page of the Course Catalog for the xAPI course, ensure the "Launch xAPI Course in Iframe" option is unchecked. This option is enabled by default. 

To disable it, uncheck the option and then select Save to confirm your changes.

Note: The availability of this feature is tied to a backend setting which is turned on by default.

Litmos (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to Litmos.

Learn more about Litmos on their website.

Note: These steps are for the Litmos platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• Your customer should have sufficient permissions to create and upload courses. Features might vary based on their user role permissions.

Choose or Create a Course

If you already have a course that you wish to use syndicated content in, go to that course. Otherwise, start by creating a new course.

Accessing Content

Once inside the course, you’ll find yourself on the Content sub-tab (this is the default tab when opening a course). Select Add Content.

Uploading Your xAPI File

From the options presented, select Upload Modules. Use the file picker to locate and select the xAPI file for your syndicated course.

Configuring Display Settings

It's important that the "Open module in new window" option is activated. If it’s not, the syndicated course won't work correctly. If currently uploading, check for this option and enable it.

For modules already uploaded or when editing an existing one:

1. Go to the Courses tab. 
2. Select Modules or choose an existing course.
3. Select the Content sub-tab within your chosen course (it's the default tab upon opening a course).
4. Select the module title you wish to adjust.
5. Make the necessary modifications and then Save.

Reusing the Syndicated Module

Once you've set up your syndicated course module, you can use it in any other courses you create or manage in the future, without the need to re-upload.

SumTotal (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to SumTotal.

Learn more about SumTotal on their website.

Note: These steps are for the SumTotal platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• Only Administrators can import a third party course package.  Features might vary based on their user role permissions.

Uploading Your File

• Navigate to Administration > Learning Management > Learning Activities
  
• Click the File Upload This will open a File Upload dialog box.
  
• What do you want to upload? We recommend uploading a Single file. 
  
• Upload files to We recommend selecting Staging area (not yet visible to learners)
  
• Click the Browse Select the zip file for the course.
  
• Click Open. This returns you to the previous screen with your selected file.
  
• Click Upload Files.
  
• Click Next. This will open a new window with settings.
  
• Add a Description
  
• Review the Launch Method.  This will automatically populate based on the file uploaded.
• Click the Next button
  
• Choose Content Player Settings
  1. Select the Hide SumTotal Player navigation checkbox for online learning activities.
     
• Set the Display Options for the content player window
  1. Select Open content player window in full screen mode
• Click Upload. This will open a new dialog box.  Here you will see the status of your file upload.  You will not be able to access your new activity in the Learning Activity Management screen until the file has completed its upload.  There is a job that runs every 10 minutes that refreshes the search.
  
• Click Close

Saba (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to Saba.

Note: These steps are for the Saba platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• Only Administrators can import a third party course package.  Features might vary based on their user role permissions.

Uploading Your File

• Go to Learning > Manage Content > Content Library > [Select your repository] > Import
• Select 'Tin Can' in the Content Format dropdown
• Click browse and select the xAPI file from Skilljar
• Set your import details
• Ensure that the Player Template setting is set to 'New Window Standard Template'

Adding to a Course

• Go to Learning > Manage Classes > Classes
• Under the 'Activities' tab, click add activities, add content
• Search for the named file upload and click the check box then add activity details
• Click save, then save and publish

Absorb (Verified - without Analytics in Absorb)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI HTML Alternative file from Skilljar and distributing it to Absorb.

Learn more about Absorb on their website.

Note: These steps are for the Absorb platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI HTML Alternative file sourced from Skilljar.
• Only Administrators can import a third party course package.  Features might vary based on their user role permissions.

Uploading as a Course

• From the Admin Interface, click Courses from the left-hand side menu.
  
• Select Courses to open the Courses Report.
• From the Actions menu on the right-hand side, click Import Course.
  
• Within the modal, select Tin Can and choose the xAPI file from Skilljar. Then click Import
  • Note: You might have to unzip the provided file if multiple courses were sent over. 
    
• Once the file has successfully uploaded, it it will appear on your Courses Report as a Learning Object in the newly created Online Course. The Online Course will use the internal course name of the uploaded file.
• Within the Launch Options, ensure that you select either Launch in a popup or Launch in a new tab.

Uploading as a Learning Object

• From the Admin Interface, click Courses from the left-hand side menu.
  
• Select Courses to open the Courses Report.
• Click the checkbox next to the Course you want to add this package as a Learning Object to. then click Edit from the Actions menu to open the Edit Online Course page.
  
• Select Add Learning Object in the Syllabus section
  
  
  • Select Tin Can. Then click Next.
  • Select either New Learning Object or Replace an Existing Lesson, depending on your desired goal and upload the xAPI file from Skilljar. Then press Continue.
  • Within the Launch Options, ensure that you select either Launch in a popup or Launch in a new tab.

Seismic - Formerly Lessonly (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI or CMI5 file from Skilljar and distributing it to Seismic Learning.

Learn more about Seismic Learning on their website.

Note: These steps are for the Seismic Learning platform and are current as of writing.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• Permission to create and edit content. Contact your super-admin or the support team at support@lessonly.com if you're unable to add eLearning sections to your lessons. 

Uploading a Course

• On the Seismic Learning platform, select Content. 
• Select New Content and then New Lesson. 
• In the lesson builder, select the arrow next to New Section, and then select eLearning File Section or New SCORM Lesson.
• Upload your eLearning ZIP file. You can do this by selecting Browse and locating the file on your computer, or you can drag the file into the File dialog. 
• Below the File dialog are two settings that alter the way learners experience eLearning content in Seismic Learning: Learning Experience and Navigation.
• Make sure that New Window is selected under ‘Learning Experience’.

Docebo (In Beta - Troubleshooting)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to Docebo.

Learn more about Docebo at their website.

Note: These steps are for the Docebo platform and are current as of writing. Skilljar has been unable to validate Content Syndication with Docebo. If you are interested in walking through this with our Product team, please contact Skilljar support.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• Superadmin or instructor permissions.

Uploading a Course

• From the Admin Menu (the gear icon in the top right corner of your platform), find the Courses Management item in the E-Learning section. Either create or find the course for which you would like to upload the xAPI training material 
• Within the course, go to the Training Material tab and select the Add Training Material button, then select xAPI (Tin Can) from the dropdown menu.
• In the Tin Can tab, select Upload File to choose the xAPI (Tin Can API) file from Skilljar
• Once the training material has been uploaded, you can manage the additional settings. Press the menu icon in the content's row, then select Settings.
• Please ensure the launch mode of the training material is set to Play In New Window

360 Learning (Verified - They're in Beta)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to 360 Learning. They're currently Beta testing their xAPI functionality. Please speak with them if you want that enabled.

Learn more about 360 Learning at their website.

Note: These steps are for the 360 Learning platform and are current as of writing. Skilljar has been unable to validate Content Syndication with 360 Learning. If you are interested in walking through this with our Product team, please contact Skilljar support.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.

Uploading a Course

• On the 360 Learning platform, select Course in the top right of your homepage.
• On the top right of the course template selection, select Import SCORM course.
• In the left sidebar, below Course Setup, select the S button.
• Select OR SELECT A FILE.
• Select the Skilljar file on your computer.

Thought Industries (In Beta)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI file from Skilljar and distributing it to Thought Industries.

Learn more about Thought Industries at their website.

Note: These steps are for the Thought Industries platform and are current as of writing. Skilljar has been unable to validate Content Syndication with Thought Industries. Please contact Skilljar support if you are interested in walking through this with us.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• xAPI functionality enabled (If this is not enabled on your instance, reach out to Thought Industries Tech Success & Support to enable this feature).

Uploading a Course

• From your Thought Industries homepage, select Content, then Manage Content.
• Select the Content Title for the course you want to alter or create a new course.
• Within the course outline, go to the lesson where you would like to add an xAPI page and select Add Page.
• Choose the xAPI page type.
• Add a page title.
• Select Save.
• Choose Add file from Desktop or Add file from Central Asset Manager and upload your file. It can take a few moments to process.
• Adjust the width and height of your content as necessary to fit in the Thought Industries learner view. Select Save.
• Do not select the option to Embed on the page.
• Select Save.

UKG (Verified)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI or cmi5 file from Skilljar and distributing content in UKG. Learn more about UKG on their website.

These steps are for the UKG platform and are current as of writing. Skilljar has been unable to validate Content Syndication with UKG. Please contact Skilljar support if you are interested in walking through this with us.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI file sourced from Skilljar.
• You should have sufficient permissions to create and upload courses. Features might vary based on their user role permissions.

Choose or Create a Course

If you already have a course in which you wish to add syndicated content, go to that course. Otherwise, start by creating a new course.

Once inside the course, select Manage > Lectures > Supplemental Material.

Select Add File or Add from Library if you’ve previously uploaded the file.

A pop-up window will open that will show you a list of the lectures included in the course, including a First Lecture option. Select an option if you want this course attached to a specific lecture.

Select Next once finished. You will be redirected to upload a file or select a file from your Content Library, based on what you previously selected.

Once you are finished, select Save. The material will be added under the Supplemental Material tab. You will have the option to edit, delete, or move it to another lecture within the course.

Uploading a Course Through the Library:

1. Select Upload File
2. Select the desired source.
3. Follow the prompts for your selected source.
4. After the upload process ends, you will be taken to the Files in Process page to wait until your file has been converted.
   Optional: You can share the file with groups or put it in a course as a lecture.
   Optional: Administrators can set an expiration date, after which the page will be moved to deleted items.
5. Save your file.

Note: You can add these uploaded files as a lecture, which allows you to add the selected item as a Lecture in specific courses. Just select the relevant courses in the window that arises.
Please note that the new Lecture will not be visible and you have to make it visible from the "Edit Lectures" page.

Configuring Display Settings

The "Open module in new window" option must be activated. If it’s not, the syndicated course won't work correctly. If currently uploading, check for this option and enable it.

Reusing the Syndicated Module

Once you've set up your syndicated course module, you can use it in any other courses you create or manage, without needing to re-upload.

Bridge (Verified)

Learn more about Bridge and how to upload or replace a course package at their website.

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the CMI5 file from Skilljar and distributing it to Bridge.

Note: These steps are for the Bridge platform and are current as of writing. 

Prerequisites

• A CMI5 file sourced from Skilljar.
• Sufficient permissions to create and upload courses. Features might vary based on your user role permissions.

Uploading a Course

1. In Bridge, select Author to open the Author Menu.
   
   
   
   
2. Select the Courses menu option. 
3. Find the Course you want to upload and select Upload the Course.
   
   
   
   
4. Drag and drop the CMI5 file into the designated area. Alternatively, you can select Browse and Choose a File to manually select the file from your computer.
   • Note: Although it will mention that the uploaded content is SCORM, this is expected and correct. 
5. Confirmation: Bridge will then notify you that your file is being imported. When the import is complete, you can modify course details and prepare your course for publishing.

Configuring the Uploaded Course

1. Name the course by entering the desired name for your course in the Course Title field.
2. Select Course Settings to customize the configuration of your uploaded course.
3. General Settings (Section [3]): Find the Opens In setting, which determines how the course initially launches. Set this to either a new window or a new window with confirmation.
   • If a new window is chosen, the course will open in a new browser window. This might activate the learner's pop-up blocker.
   • The new window with confirmation option will prompt the learner to confirm before launching the course in a new window.
4. Quiz Settings (Section [4]): Set the required score to 0%.

Notes: 

• The course copy feature can’t be used to replicate courses that have been uploaded in this manner.

TalentLMS (In Beta)

The following instructions provide a step-by-step guide for creating and configuring a new course using the xAPI or CMI5 file from Skilljar and distributing it to TalentLMS.

Learn more about TalentLMS on their website. Also see TalentLMS’ help article, How to Work With The Support eLearning Protocols SCORM 1.2, xAPI, and CMI5.

Note: These steps are for the TalentLMS platform and are current as of writing. Skilljar has been unable to validate Content Syndication with TalentLMS. If you are interested in walking through this with our Product team, please contact Skilljar support.

Prerequisites 

• An xAPI or CMI5  file sourced from Skilljar.
• Tin Can xAPI is enabled on your Account & Settings page
• Access as an Instructor

Uploading a Course

• In TalentLMS, create or go to the page of the course you want to modify.
• Select Add and choose SCORM | xAPI | cmi5 from the list. Alternatively, drag and drop your Skilljar package into the course.
• Select Upload a SCORM, Tin Can, or cmi5 ZIP file to upload your file
• From the Show as drop-down list, choose to have your file show up as a Pop-up dialog box.
• Select Save and View to add the uploaded content to your course.

Notes about other LMS

Workramp 

Workramp should support both xAPI and CMI5, but there is no documentation published from them. Please let us know if you’re interested in walking through this with our Product team.

Workday, MindTickle, and Canvas 

These LMS are not currently supported. Please let us know if you’re interested in any of these LMS.

There are other LMS that may support the protocols that Skilljar has selected for syndication. If you have an LMS that isn’t listed, please contact Skilljar support.