Getting Started: A Geek-Free Introduction to xAPI & the xAPI Learning Cohort

Adoption of xAPI allows for more robust and interesting tracking of the learning process. Actual data for performance and results, integrating with learning metrics provides the data to tailor your learning processes to individual needs. Also we can draw more useful conclusions about the learning across a wider population. This leaves instructional designers with a set of critical questions:

• How does this impact my work?
• What tools do I need?
• What data should I track?
• What infrastructure does my organization need to take advantage of this?
• And … the million dollar question … How do I get started?

After an introduction to xAPI and how it's different from the SCORM-based LMS environment we're familiar with, we'll discuss three key areas that impact instructional designers and their teams:

• Determining what data to send, where it exists, and how to organize it
• Making choices about infrastructure: how and when to work with your LMS, your LRS or both
• Getting started with the xAPI Learning Cohort, a 12-week learning by doing virtual experience

Megan Torrance is CEO and founder of TorranceLearning, which helps organizations connect learning strategy to design, development, data and ultimately performance. Megan has over 25 years of experience in learning design, deployment and consulting. Megan and the TorranceLearning team are passionate about sharing what works in learning so they devote considerable time to teaching and sharing about Agile project management for learning experience design and, of course, the xAPI. TorranceLearning hosts the xAPI Learning Cohort, a free, virtual 12-week learning-by-doing opportunity where teams form on the fly and create proof-of-concept xAPI projects.

Megan is the author of Agile for Instructional Designers, The Quick Guide to LLAMA, and two ATD TD at Work publications: Agile and LLAMA® for ISD Project Management and Making Sense of xAPI. She is a frequent speaker at conferences nationwide.

Jessica Jackson, M. Ed, MBA, 

Instructional Designer

Jessica brings a myriad of educational experiences to instructional design. She leverages her background in classroom instruction and team development & management to design meaningful and impactful learning content for clients.

In her spare time, Jessica enjoys writing, hiking, and spending quality time with her family and dogs—Chloe Mae & Cardi B.