Rapid Prototyping

Audrey Bowser-BrownJulie Pace

Debra ReschkeAileen Sullivan

Rapid Prototyping

Using new technologies, time for parts of virtually any complexity is measured in hours, instead of days, weeks, or months; it is rapid.

A prototype is something to look at, serves as a basis for discussion but cannot be used for anything “serious”.

Prototyping as a Design Methodology

“Rapid prototyping is a system development methodology based on building and using a model of a system for designing, implementing, testing and installing the system.” (Lantz as cited in Tripp & Bichelmeyer, 1990)

InstallConvert

Exercise Prototype

Build Prototype

DefinePrototype

Study PresentSystem

DetermineFeasibility

Prototyping as a Method for Instructional Design

“Rapid prototyping in instructional systems design is the building of a model of the system to design and develop the system itself.” (Tripp & Bichelmeyer, 1990)

Install & Maintain System

Utilize Prototype (Research)

Construct Prototype (Design)

Set ObjectivesAssess Needs & Analyze Content

Used in Computer Software and Education

Effective in situations where synthesis and modification

must occur quickly.cases with complex factors.cases where conventional methods yield

unsatisfactory results.unfamiliar situations.

Application to EducationDesigners try to be systematic in approaching large, complex problems.Designers bring orderly and systematic methods to a discipline full of individual practitioners.Designers use formative evaluation practices when developing systems.Educators deal with systems based on human cognition.

Steps Involved in Rapid Prototyping

Step 1: Statement of Needs and Objectives

The purpose of a succinct statement is to:communicate.offer a plan of action.

Step 2: Research & Development

Construct prototypes under these conditions:offer little or no commitment to the designfocus on solving immediate problemscreate alternative designs that may even be

contradictory

Step 2 (Cont.)

Utilize Prototype designer observeslearner asks questions to discover strengths

and weaknessesproblem discovery, not problem solvingthe creation process most likely begins

again

Step 3:The Final Project

"an appropriate artifact not a generalization"the instructional design process has been a

unique experience, not one that can be replicated in the exact manner again

Learning Environment Assumptions

Modularityallows a segments of the instruction to be

changed, added, and/or removed without severely affecting the whole

examples: looseleaf notebooksoverhead transparency presentations

Learning Environment Assumptions (Cont.)

Plasticitythe ability to revise one aspect of a unit of

instruction without creating time and cost penalties

examplecomputer programs

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping

Effective in instructional design because method does not occur linearly. Stresses rapid synthesis of design due to use of software.Allows needed flexibility because designs intended for human use.

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping (Cont.)

Encourages greater designer creativity because of immediate feedback from the user. Users have input into the design as they discover problems while trying out the system.

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping (Cont.)

Because users are involved in the development process, the system produced is accurate for the designated users.Reduces development costs.Cuts down on actual time needed to develop the system.

Disadvantage of Rapid Prototyping

Sometimes encourages informal design methods which may cause more problems to fix.

Comparison to

Other Models of

Instructional Design

The Dick and Carey ModelBoth use knowledge of instructional design elements.Dick and Carey speaks to the teaching of instructional design and computer-based instruction as a potential concernDick and Carey assert that design is lost in rapid prototyping where the emphsis is to simply get something up and running.Dick and Carey is linear.

R2D2 ModelBoth non-linear in development.Begin with evaluation of needs. Design groups consist of actual users as well as designers. Time efficient process because target audience is part of process.Most activity in process is in creation of material.

Layers of Negotiation Model

Both are systematic in nature.Both require contact and discussion between the designer and the user.Both are non-linear.Negotiation is based on process outcome goals while Prototyping is based on product outcome goals.

Chaos Theory

Both emphasize hands-on and flexibily with change.Both account for unpredictability.Both have a feedback loop.Chaos theory has a beginning with set goal and objectives and a tangible end.Chaos theory is linear.

Is this a Paradigm Shift?

YES - Use of rapid prototyping is more than another instructional design strategy, it is a belief about how design takes place to create learning environments.NO - Rapid prototyping is a variation on instructional design and although efficient, should not replace knowledge about teaching and learning.

ReferencesGustafson, K. L. & Branch, R. M. (1997) Revisioning models of

instructional development. ETR�&D, 45(3), p. 73-89.Tripp, S. C. & Bichelmeyer, B. (1990). Rapid prototyping: An alternative

instructional design strategy. ETR�&D, 38(1), p. 31-44.