1. Rapid Prototyping

2. Overview Used in software engineering
“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.”
(Lantzas cited in Tripp& Bichelmeyer, 1990)
2 Factors
In a design process, early development of a small-scale prototype used to test out certain key features of the design. Most useful for large-scale or projects.
Wilson, Jonassen, and Cole
Plastic and modular medium and intention to learn through the process of design
Modularity allows a segment of the instructional unit to be added, removed, or modified w/out affecting severe interactions in the other segments as a whole
Plasticity ability to change aspects of a unit of instruction with only minor time or cost penalties
Computer programs

3. Model
“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)

4. Advantages Allows users to try out the system Discover problem areas
Input into selection of an appropriate interface
Reduces cost and time
Increase creativity
Errors can be detected earlier
using working models of the final product early in a project tends to eliminate time-consuming revisions later
design tasks are completed concurrently, rather than sequentially throughout the project
steps are crunched together to reduce the amount of time needed to develop training or a product
design and development phases are done simultaneously and the formative evaluation is done throughout the process
Reduces development costs
Decreases communication problems
Lowers operation costs
Reduces production time

5. Disadvantages Can lead to a design by-repair
Does not eliminate the need for front-end analysis
Does not completely substitue for a paper analysis
May lead to designs that get out of control
May lead to commitment before designs are ready
Out of control by putting too many bells and whistles and time into the designs before they have been chosen

6. When to use rapid prototyping
Time, budget, environmental restraints
Cases involving complex factors and prediction is hard
Cases where we have experience, but lack satisfaction of results
New situations where there is not an abundant information to draw from

7. Examples http://it.coe.uga.edu/studio/seminars/paperplanes.html
Model of the system used to investigate and design the full system
Software environment allowed rapid synthesis and modification of the system
Slow and uncertain process of analysis and detailed specification was replaced by an efficient process of hands-on design

8. Spiral Cycle vs Waterfall Cycle
concept definition
implementation of a skeletal system
user evaluation and concept refinement
implementation of refined requirements
concept definition
requirements definition
preliminary design
detailed design
code implementation
test and acceptance

9. Comparisons One idea Extensive front-end analysis Linear
Traditional ID
One idea
Extensive front-end analysis
Linear
Emphasize early constraints
Follow pragmatic principle of minimum commitment
Many ideas
Create a general model and change through testing
Not thought of as linear

10. Comparisons
Dick and Carey
Speaks to the teaching of instructional design and computer-based instruction as a potential concern
Is linear
Design is lost in rapid prototyping where the emphasis's to simply get something up and running.
􀁛Both use knowledge of instructional design elements.

11. Comparisons Both non-linear in development.
R2D2 Model
Both 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.
The Recursive, Reflective Design and Development (R2D2)

12. Comparisons Both are systematic in nature.
Layers of Negotiation
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.
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.

13. References
Tripp, S., & Bichelmeyer, B. (1990). Rapid prototyping: An alternative instructional design strategy. Educational Technology Research & Development, 38(1),
Gustafson, K. L. & Branch, R. M. (1997) Revisioning models of instructional development. ETR&D, 45(3), p