Activity: Visualize and Build a Prototype

Overview

Now that you’ve selected a solution to solve your problem of practice, it’s time to build out the details by creating a prototype, or testable model of your solution.

The prototype will allow you to get feedback on the idea and pilot it with a small group of stakeholders (e.g., students, teachers, parents, and/or classified staff). For instance, if your solution was a new system for student-led conferences, your prototype could be an agenda for what those conferences might look like.

It can be tempting to build out a complete, complex prototype, but it is important to keep it simple. A simpler prototype is more conducive to getting quick stakeholder feedback and to actually testing the concept in a “bite-sized” way, allowing you to learn what is and is not effective in the prototype to iterate as needed.

Steps to Implementation

Suggested time: 2 hours

1. Gather your team in a room (in-person or virtual) with access to a chalkboard or a digital alternative, such as Google Jamboard; make sure your team has selected a solution to your problem of practice.

2. Given your solution, decide as a group what your prototype could look like or include.

   • For example, if your solution is about standards-based grading, you may choose to prototype a new grading rubric.

   • For example, if your solution is about a new classroom schedule for more individualized student support, you may choose to prototype a new lesson plan.

3. Next, brainstorm a definition of success for your prototype. Ask, “What do we believe will lead to our prototype design and content being most successful?” Document ideas on a chalkboard or Jamboard.

   • For example, if you are designing a new grading rubric, you might define success for your prototype as being standards-aligned, using student-friendly language, and allowing for flexibility for teachers.

4. Then, build the prototype. Your team may work as a full group or you can break into small groups to design several prototypes. Use the templates below for building a prototype; choose the template that aligns best with the format of what you are trying to create (e.g., a visual of a new grading rubric is likely obvious, but a storyboard might also help demonstrate how students experience using it).

   • Storyboard

   • Rapid Prototyping

   • Get Visual

   • Roleplay

5. If you break into small groups to create several prototypes, you will need to decide between the options (or take the best aspects of each option to create a final version). One way to do this is to:

   • Have each individual read each prototype and add a “+1” to indicate aspects that they like.

   • Take time for group discussion; make real-time updates to the prototype(s) as you discuss:

   • Which parts of each prototype did we like?

   • Was there one prototype that was a clear winner? How could we combine the best parts of each prototype into a new version?

   • How well does the prototype align to our definition of success?

   • Where can we make final improvements or updates?

6. If you created one prototype as a group, take time for group discussion; make real-time updates as you discuss:
   • How well does the prototype align to our definition of success?
   • How well does the prototype align with our original problem statement?
   • Where can we make final improvements or updates?
7. Together, finalize your prototype.
   • Consider getting interim feedback on this prototype by picking a handful of people to share the prototype with, and prioritize getting feedback from the stakeholders you included earlier in this process. As a team, commit to how you will collect and incorporate additional feedback.
8. Next, you will plan and execute a pilot – or test – to put your prototype in action.

This activity was inspired by the Create a Prototype step of IDEO’s Design Thinking for Educators. The specific protocols for building a prototype (Storyboard, Rapid Prototyping, Get Visual, Role Play) are IDEO’s method cards.

This strategy is a part of TLA's Real-Time Redesign release, a practical toolkit for improving equity and resiliency in schools. Explore the full guide to find additional strategies, insights, and resources.