
Q4. Prototypes
Introduction
Next, you’ll be creating something physical (an object, a visual, a presentation) to test your idea and convey it to others. It should be something that can be held or seen. Remember that a prototype does not need to be pretty or functional to convey your idea.
Watch the video from YouTube below on prototyping.
I Can Statements
- research and cite sources for inspiration for your design
- create a prototype to convey key features of your design
- select appropriate materials for creating a prototype
Key Vocabulary
Inspiration: The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Prototype: An example object which demonstrates the same features and qualities as the final product. It is usually created to test out a design and gather feedback to learn from and improve upon.
Play the Vocabulary Game below to practice the Key Vocabulary.
Vocabulary Game
You can change the Quiz mode to Match, Test, Learn, Flash Cards, Spell using the selection list at the bottom right of the activity that says "Choose a Study Mode." Direct Link
Steps
Record all of your progress in your Design Thinking Workbook
1. Research
- Use your research skills from Thing 9: Search Strategies to draw inspiration for your design.
- You may consider the types of materials, similar designs, the environmental impact of your solution and other considerations for your idea.
- Record your notes in your Design Thinking Workbook.
2. Rough Draft
- Create a rough draft of your idea in your Design Thinking Workbook.
- This can be done by drawing or outlining your idea.
- Remember that this is intended to be very quick; don’t spend a lot of time on it.
3. Select and Gather Materials
- Choose a medium that will best help you test and demonstrate your idea.
- Is your idea best seen digitally or on paper?
- Does it need to be held in someone’s hand?
Physical Materials | Digital |
Play-Doh |
TinkerCAD |
Legos |
Minecraft EE |
Craft supplies (popsicle sticks, |
Google Sites |
Poster board |
Google Slides |
Photos |
Google Drawings |
Sketching and Paper Prototyping |
Adobe Creative Cloud |
NA all online, use your own digital images or photos | Microsoft Sway |
|
4. Build
- Create your prototype.
- Take a screenshot or picture of your prototype and paste it into your Design Thinking Workbook.
- If your design is easier to link to, attach a hyperlink to your prototype in your Design Thinking Workbook.
Completing this Quest
You have completed this Quest after completing the I Can Statements and steps above. After you’ve taken a picture of, or linked to your prototype, you can move on to Quest 5: Test & Improve.
Check off this Quest on the 21t4s roadmap
I am ready to go on to Quest 5 Test & Improve
Competencies & Standards
MITECS Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and
1. Empowered Learner
a. Articulate and set personal learning goals, developing strategies leveraging technology to achieve them, and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes
d. Understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies
2. Digital Citizen
b. Engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices
c. Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property
3. Knowledge Constructor
a. Plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits
b. Evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources
c. Curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts or solving authentic problems
d. Build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions
4. Innovative Designer
a. Know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems
b. Select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks
c. Develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process
d. Exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems
6. Creative Communicator
a. Choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication
b. Create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations
Websites and Documents
Websites
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Google Drawings
- Google Sites
- Google Slides
- Microsoft Sway
- Minecraft EE
- TinkerCad
Videos from Outside Sources
21t4s Videos
21t4s Websites
21t4s Documents & Quizzes