AICC

AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) was an organization that developed standards for e-learning content. While largely superseded by newer standards like SCORM and xAPI, AICC left a significant legacy in the e-learning world. Understanding AICC helps in comprehending the evolution of online training and the interoperability of learning management systems (LMS) with older course content. This glossary entry provides a concise overview of AICC’s relevance in today’s digital learning landscape.

What is AICC?

AICC, which stands for Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee, is a standards organization that developed specifications for e-learning content interoperability. While less prevalent today, AICC played a crucial role in the early days of online learning by establishing a standardized way for e-learning courses to communicate with Learning Management Systems (LMSs).

Essentially, AICC ensured that courses created using different authoring tools could be launched, tracked, and reported on within a compatible LMS. This was achieved through a set of guidelines and protocols that defined how course content should be structured and how data, such as learner progress, scores, and completion status, should be exchanged between the course and the LMS.

AICC uses HTTP AICC Communication Protocol (HACP) for this communication. When a learner interacts with an AICC course, the course sends messages to the LMS via HTTP, providing updates on the learner’s progress. The LMS then interprets this data and stores it accordingly, allowing instructors and administrators to monitor learner performance and track course completion.

While AICC was a significant step in standardizing e-learning, it has largely been superseded by more modern standards like SCORM and xAPI (Tin Can API), which offer enhanced functionality and address the limitations of AICC. However, understanding AICC remains valuable for supporting legacy content and appreciating the evolution of e-learning standards. The protocol is still supported by a number of LMS’s.

Why is AICC Important?

AICC, or Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee, while not as prevalent as newer standards like SCORM or xAPI, played a significant role in the evolution of e-learning and continues to hold importance in specific contexts. Understanding its historical significance and lingering relevance is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of learning technology.

Firstly, AICC provided a structured framework for developing and delivering online training content. Before standardized protocols, interoperability between learning management systems (LMS) and content was a major challenge. AICC offered a set of guidelines that enabled content to be launched and tracked within compliant LMSs, ensuring a degree of portability and reusability. This was particularly important for organizations with diverse technology infrastructures.

Secondly, AICC established key communication standards between the e-learning content and the LMS. This communication allowed for the tracking of learner progress, scores, and completion status. This data was crucial for monitoring the effectiveness of training programs and identifying areas for improvement. While SCORM and xAPI offer more advanced tracking capabilities, AICC laid the groundwork for these subsequent advancements.

Finally, while largely superseded, some legacy systems and specialized industries might still rely on AICC-compliant content. Maintaining an understanding of AICC is therefore important for supporting these legacy infrastructures and ensuring that valuable training materials remain accessible. Though newer standards are generally recommended for new content creation, AICC’s contributions to the development of e-learning standards cannot be ignored. Understanding AICC is therefore important in the history of E-Learning and standards. It ensures knowledge of communication, tracking and legacy systems.

How Does AICC Work?

Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC) was one of the earlier standards for e-learning, defining how learning content communicates with a Learning Management System (LMS). While largely superseded by newer standards like SCORM and xAPI, understanding AICC’s operation provides valuable context.

AICC uses a set of HTTP-based communication protocols. When a learner launches an AICC course from an LMS, the LMS provides a link to the course content along with connection parameters stored in a file (typically an `.au` or `.crs` file). This file contains crucial information, including:

• The URL of the LMS: Specifies where the course should send its data.
• Course ID: Identifies the specific course.
• Learner ID: Uniquely identifies the learner.
• Session ID: A unique identifier for the current learner session.

The course content then uses this information to send commands and data back to the LMS. This communication involves several key actions:

• Opening a Session: The course notifies the LMS that a learner has started the course.
• Sending Data: The course transmits data about the learner’s progress, such as scores, time spent, and completion status. Data is typically sent as name-value pairs using HTTP GET or POST requests.
• Closing a Session: The course informs the LMS when the learner has finished or exited the course.

The LMS receives this data and stores it, allowing instructors and administrators to track learner progress and generate reports. AICC’s reliance on HTTP made it relatively simple to implement, but its limitations in data reporting and content structure ultimately led to the development of more robust standards like SCORM and xAPI.

What are examples of how some of the leading brands use AICC?

While AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) is an older standard, its principles of interoperability and standardized communication between Learning Management Systems (LMS) and e-learning content were vital in shaping early online training strategies. Though largely superseded by SCORM and xAPI, understanding its historical applications offers valuable insights.

Historically, leading brands across various industries leveraged AICC to deliver consistent training experiences across geographically dispersed locations. Here are examples, reflecting the kinds of uses that characterized the standard:

• Airlines (The Foundation of AICC): Major airlines, pivotal in AICC’s creation, used it to deliver complex flight simulation training, maintenance procedures, and safety protocols to pilots and ground staff globally. AICC’s structured approach ensured all personnel received standardized training, irrespective of location.
• Manufacturing: Large manufacturers adopted AICC-compliant modules to train employees on operating heavy machinery, adhering to safety guidelines, and maintaining equipment. The standardized nature of AICC facilitated consistent training across different manufacturing plants.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and healthcare organizations used AICC to deliver compliance training, updates on medical procedures, and best practices to doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. This guaranteed consistent delivery of crucial information across different departments and facilities.
• Financial Services: Banks and financial institutions employed AICC to train employees on new banking regulations, anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, and customer service protocols. AICC helped ensure all employees understood and adhered to the required compliance standards.

It is important to remember that many organizations have transitioned away from AICC to newer standards like SCORM and xAPI due to their enhanced capabilities. However, the underlying principles of AICC related to structured learning and LMS communication continue to influence the design of modern e-learning solutions.

Key Benefits of AICC

AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) was a set of standards for e-learning that, while largely superseded by newer technologies like SCORM and xAPI, offered several benefits during its prevalence. Understanding these benefits helps contextualize the evolution of e-learning standards.

One key advantage was content reusability. AICC guidelines promoted the separation of content from the Learning Management System (LMS). This meant training materials could be easily migrated and reused across different LMS platforms without significant rework. This reduced development costs and saved time.

Centralized content management was another benefit. AICC enabled content to be hosted on a separate server from the LMS. This allowed for more efficient content updates and distribution. Changes made to the content server were instantly reflected across all connected LMS instances, ensuring consistency.

AICC offered a degree of platform independence. By adhering to AICC standards, organizations could choose the LMS that best suited their needs without being locked into a specific vendor or technology. This provided flexibility and control over their learning ecosystem.

Standardized communication, while limited compared to modern standards, was still a significant step forward. AICC provided a defined way for course content and the LMS to communicate, tracking learner progress and completion. This allowed for basic reporting and performance tracking.

While AICC is no longer the preferred standard, its contributions to the development of e-learning are undeniable. It paved the way for more sophisticated and versatile standards like SCORM and xAPI, highlighting the importance of interoperability and reusability in online training.

Common Misconceptions About AICC

AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) was a standard used for e-learning content interoperability. While largely superseded by newer specifications like SCORM and xAPI, some misconceptions persist about its capabilities and current relevance.

Misconception 1: AICC is the most advanced e-learning standard.

Reality: AICC is an older standard. Modern standards like SCORM and xAPI offer enhanced features, including better tracking, mobile learning support, and the ability to track learning experiences outside of traditional LMS environments. AICC is considered outdated in many contexts.

Misconception 2: AICC offers better tracking than SCORM.

Reality: SCORM provides robust tracking features. While AICC did enable communication between content and LMS, SCORM’s tracking capabilities are generally considered more comprehensive and easier to implement for a wider range of learning activities.

Misconception 3: All LMS platforms still fully support AICC.

Reality: While many LMS platforms offer some level of backwards compatibility with AICC, full support is diminishing. Newer LMS platforms are designed primarily for SCORM, xAPI, and other modern standards. Relying on AICC might limit your choice of LMS and future scalability.

Misconception 4: Converting AICC content to SCORM is difficult and costly.

Reality: Tools and services exist to facilitate the conversion of AICC content to SCORM or xAPI. While some effort is required, the benefits of migrating to a modern standard often outweigh the initial cost and effort. This ensures compatibility with modern LMS and future-proofs your e-learning content.

Misconception 5: AICC is essential for aviation industry training.

Reality: While AICC originated in the aviation industry, its use is no longer mandatory or even prevalent. Modern e-learning standards are widely accepted and used within the aviation sector, offering improved functionality and flexibility.