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Three-Lens Evaluation Model

Run the Three-Lens Evaluation MicroSim Fullscreen

Description

This interactive MicroSim visualizes the three critical dimensions for evaluating educational simulations. Using an interactive Venn diagram, learners can explore how Technical, Pedagogical, and UX evaluation criteria work together to create high-quality MicroSims.

The Three Lenses

  1. Technical (Blue) - Does the simulation work correctly?
  2. Functionality without bugs
  3. Responsive design across devices
  4. Smooth performance

  5. Code standardization

  6. Pedagogical (Green) - Does it teach effectively?

  7. Alignment with learning objectives
  8. Appropriate cognitive level (Bloom's Taxonomy)
  9. Addresses misconceptions

  10. Scaffolded difficulty progression

  11. UX (Purple) - Is it easy and engaging to use?

  12. Intuitive controls
  13. Balanced engagement (educational, not distracting)
  14. Accessibility for all learners
  15. Clear visual hierarchy

Key Intersections

  • Technical + Pedagogical: Performance doesn't hinder learning
  • Pedagogical + UX: Engaging AND educational
  • Technical + UX: Works smoothly on all devices
  • Center (Gold): The goal - excellence in all three dimensions

Interactive Features

  • Hover over each circle to see its evaluation criteria
  • Click a circle to view a detailed checklist for that dimension
  • Hover over intersections to understand overlapping concerns
  • The center pulses continuously to emphasize the goal of balanced excellence

Learning Objective

Students will understand how technical, pedagogical, and UX evaluation dimensions interact to form a complete quality assessment framework for educational simulations.

Embedding This MicroSim

You can include this MicroSim on your website using the following iframe:

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<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/automating-instructional-design/sims/three-lens-evaluation/main.html" height="502px" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Objective

Students will apply the three-lens evaluation framework to assess the quality of existing MicroSims.

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 minutes): Have students explore the Venn diagram by hovering over each lens and intersection. Ask them to identify what makes each dimension unique.

  2. Discussion (10 minutes): As a class, discuss:

  3. Why are all three dimensions necessary?
  4. What happens when one dimension is weak?

  5. Can you think of examples where a simulation excels in one area but fails in another?

  6. Application (15 minutes): Give students 2-3 MicroSims to evaluate. Using the checklists shown in this visualization, have them rate each simulation on all three dimensions.

  7. Synthesis (10 minutes): Students share their evaluations and discuss which MicroSims achieved the "gold center" of high quality across all dimensions.

Assessment

Students demonstrate understanding by correctly identifying strengths and weaknesses across the three evaluation dimensions for given MicroSim examples.

References

  • Nielsen, J. (1994). Usability Engineering. Morgan Kaufmann.
  • Bloom, B.S., et al. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Longman.
  • Mayer, R.E. (2009). Multimedia Learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.