Teacher Lens for Digital Relevance (TLDR) Model

A diagram of the TLDR model with the sections Test Play, Deep Play, and Reflective Evaluation
Rating a game using the TLDR model

About the TLDR Model

As part of an ongoing research project, students and faculty from the Learning Sciences and Technologies program at the University of Pennsylvania developed the Teacher Lens for Digital Relevance (TLDR) model to evaluate educational video games based on player experience, design for learning, and culturally relevant instruction. Our inspiration for this model came from a number of scholars, including JLG Sanchez, James Gee, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Geneva Gay, and Rebecca Powell. Currently, we are refining the model through collaboration with teachers.

This model can be used by teachers, researchers, and game designers to analyze existing educational video games or inform the design of new ones. Our teams' analysis showed it to be particularly helpful for teachers who would like to approach game evaluation in a systematic way and identify areas to support with out-of-game instruction. 

There are persistent issues with balancing play and learning in educational video games. Immersive games are best suited for instruction when deep play and cultural affirmation are priorities.

Use the TLDR Model

Try it out! You can download a copy of the TLDR Model as a spreadsheet here (v 4.0) or the streamlined version here (v 5.0). 

Publications

Duvall, M. & Shah, H. (2024). Do Award-Winning Serious Games Meet Benchmarks for Quality Learning Tools?. In Lindgren, R., Asino, T. I., Kyza, E. A., Looi, C. K., Keifert, D. T., & Suárez, E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences - ICLS 2024 (pp. 2121-2122). International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Duvall, M., Chen, J., He, A., Lou, V., Shah, H., Shi, Y., Shuai, Y., & Tian, M. (2024). Using Teacher Feedback to Refine an Educational Video Game Evaluation Model. In Lindgren, R., Asino, T. I., Kyza, E. A., Looi, C. K., Keifert, D. T., & Suárez, E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences - ICLS 2024 (pp. 2279-2280). International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Duvall, M., Chai, L., Deng, X., Harpi, S., Lee, K., Wang, Y., Xia, K., & Zhou, Y. (2023.) Evaluating educational video games for playability, learning, and culturally relevant instruction. Presented to The American Educational Research Association 2023 annual conference.

Duvall, M., Chai, L., Deng, X., Harpi, S., Lee, K., Wang, Y., Xia, K., & Zhou, Y. (In submission.) The TLDR Model for evaluating educational video games for playability, learning, and culturally responsive instruction. Manuscript submitted to Cambridge Educational Research Journal.

Chai, L., & Duvall, M. (In submission.) Analyzing the playability and educational content in commercial video games from a culturally responsive perspective. Manuscript submitted to The International Journal of Game-Based Learning.