Conceptual Prototype

Create a conceptual prototype illustrating the proposed functionality of your tool. Drawing on your literature review and your fieldnotes, prepare slides for a pitch which argues why your learning goal might be valuable to your target users and how your design might help users achieve the learning goal. These will be presented and discussed in class.

Format

This assignment has two deliverables: the conceptual prototype and your pitch deck (slides). Your conceptual prototype should be a physical object or a visual (potentially-interactive) document. The most important function of your conceptual prototype is to communicate intended usage, highlighting affordances. Formats which can work well include:

• wireframe diagrams (Balsamiq; Sketch; or low-fi tools like paper and sharpie work well too) storyboards
• scripts (perhaps an interactive story via Unfold Studio?)
• card-flipping demo
• low-fi physical prototype (e.g. made from cardboard, buttons drawn on, wizard-of-oz narration)

The structure of your pitch should roughly follow this outline:

• Need: What kind of learning are you after? Why is it important?
• Problem: Why isn’t this kind of learning happening now? While part of the answer might be practical (e.g. it’s too expensive), part of the answer should also be theoretical–something we haven’t yet figured out about learning. The language of design-based research will help you justfy why building something is a good way to find answers to the problem.
• Solution: What kind of solution are you aiming for? Use your conceptual prototype to illustrate your idea. Draw on analysis of your fieldnotes for initial evidence that it might work. Don’t present false confidence: your conceptual prototype is the beginning of a design process, not the end. It’s helpful to hear about the problems you stll need to figure out, or even fundamental uncertainties about the approach.

Tips

• As always, you are invited, even somewhat expected to schedule time to discuss your project with Dr. Proctor.
• See the examples presented in class during [Week 4]({{< ref "courses/studio/schedule/04/_index.md" >}}).