The Studying Know-how Supervisor’s Information To xAPI

Professional insights from xAPI experts

Before we can imagine what the xAPI can do for the Learning Technology Manager, we need to talk about what an API is. API is the abbreviation for Application Programming Interface. Basically, it is software that allows two applications to communicate with each other. Every time we use a social media app, email someone, or receive traffic notifications, we basically use an API.

Experience API or xAPI is a document that describes certain specifications. It was launched as part of the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL), a US government program. Its original name was “Project Tin Can” but is now known by the official name of xAPI.

eBook release

The Learning Technology Manager Manual Τo xAPI

Download this eBook and learn why and how you should use xAPI.

An important part of xAPI is what we call the “xAPI statement”. This term describes a type of communication between the provider, the LRS and the consumer. An xAPI instruction needs three elements: the actor, the verb and the object. xAPI statements are parsed using JSON, which is somewhat similar to XML.

This guide will help you understand and unlock the secrets of xAPI. Making the most of this will need your learning schemes to produce the results you want in no time.

About the eBook: The Learning Technology Manager xAPI Guide

The eBook consists of 5 chapters. They are the following:

introduction

The eBook opens with an introduction from Ben Betts, Chief Product Officer at Learning Pool. Ben wrote an excellent piece on the role of data in learning technologies. He explains the key issues facing learning technology managers today, what xAPI is, and how the future of L&D depends on finally taking control of learning data.

Introduction to the Experience API

This chapter focuses a little more on xAPI itself. The reader will learn how xAPI came about and why it is better than other APIs for dealing with learning experiences. There is a comparison with SCORM, or rather an analysis of their relationship. This chapter also gives a brief description of the xAPI format and how JSON reads it. It also gives an in-depth look at the various uses of xAPI, the requirements it meets, and the other alternatives that are currently available.

Introducing the Learning Record Store

The following chapter provides a presentation of the Learning Record Store and how it interacts with the Experience API. Basically, the Learning Record Store takes the data generated by the API and archives it. This allows instructional designers and learners to use this data to improve the way they interact with their learners.

Developing xAPI statements

The next chapter deals with the process of developing xAPI statements. It gets a bit more technical here. The xAPI instruction is disassembled and its parts are analyzed and explained. There are also some very specific examples of xAPI statements. There is also a list of tips that can make interacting with the Learning Record Store a lot easier.

Case studies

The final chapter of the eBook contains three case studies of early adopters using xAPI today. You will learn about a number of corporate and educational purposes, including mapping training activities to sales performance, increasing learning outcomes, and creating a gamification system.

Conclusion

The Learning Technology Manager xAPI Guide is the quintessential Experience API resource. It contains everything a learning technology manager needs to understand and use xAPI to get the most out of their company’s learning data. The professional team behind this eBook really went out of their way to provide the best possible reference point for the Experience API.