eLearning Business: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Stay Ahead

When you think of the eLearning business, the industry that delivers education through digital platforms, from corporate training to K-12 classrooms. Also known as online education, it’s no longer just about uploading videos and calling it a day. It’s about tracking what learners actually do, how they think, and where they struggle—across apps, devices, and real-world tasks. That’s why the old rules are breaking down.

Take SCORM, a 20-year-old standard that once ruled eLearning by forcing courses into rigid, browser-only boxes. Also known as Sharable Content Object Reference Model, it’s still around—but only because some systems haven’t updated yet. Real learning doesn’t happen inside a single course. It happens when someone uses a mobile app to practice a skill, then applies it on the job, then talks about it in a team meeting. That’s where xAPI, a modern learning standard that records any learning experience, anywhere. Also known as Experience API, it captures what SCORM never could: a learner’s actions outside the LMS. And it’s not alone. cmi5, a smart upgrade that wraps xAPI in clear rules for course delivery. Also known as competency-based learning standard, it’s what smart companies use to make sure training actually counts toward certifications. Behind both of these is the LRS, a data store that holds every learning interaction, from quiz scores to video pauses to real-world task completions. Also known as Learning Record Store, it’s the engine that turns scattered data into actionable insights.

The eLearning business isn’t about selling courses anymore. It’s about proving value. Companies that still use SCORM are stuck measuring clicks. Those using xAPI and cmi5 are measuring growth. They see who improved after training, who needs help, and which modules actually changed behavior. That’s the difference between guessing what works—and knowing it.

What you’ll find below isn’t just theory. It’s real breakdowns of what’s replacing outdated systems, how top platforms are using data to drive results, and why the companies still clinging to old tech are falling behind. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to understand the eLearning business today—and where it’s headed next.