Designing with Love

What does it take to design learning experiences that truly work? Join Jackie Pelegrin, award-winning instructional designer and Grand Canyon University (GCU) adjunct instructor, as she explores instructional design, e-learning, and AI integration. Expect actionable tips, real-world insights, and conversations with students, alumni, and industry leaders shaping the future of learning.

Choose your favorite podcast player

Oct. 22, 2025

Designing on the Fly: How Rapid Prototyping Speeds Up Smarter Learning Design

Feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines and shifting expectations in your instructional design projects? Discover how Rapid Prototyping can transform your approach to creating effective learning experiences.

Rapid prototyping flips traditional design on its head by encouraging you to start with rough drafts—low-fidelity prototypes—instead of waiting until the end to test a final version. Through a continuous cycle of design, test, tweak, and repeat, you'll create learning products that genuinely work for your audience while saving valuable time and resources.

Ready to transform your instructional design process? Start small—sketch before scripting, test early, and watch how rapid prototyping revolutionizes your approach to design challenges. Your future self (and your learners) will thank you!

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

A Guide to Rapid Prototyping

Send Jackie a Text

Join PodMatch!
Use the link to join PodMatch, a place for hosts and guests to connect.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription.

🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

🌐 Check out the show's website here: Designing with Love

📱 Send a text to the show by clicking the Send Jackie a Text link above.

👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

00:00 - Introducing Rapid Prototyping

01:46 - How Rapid Prototyping Works

02:35 - Rapid Prototyping vs. SAM Model

03:39 - Real-World Application Example

04:28 - When to Use Rapid Prototyping

05:13 - Reflection and Final Thoughts

06:19 - Episode Recap and Closing

WEBVTT

00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:04.107
Hello and welcome to the Designing with Love podcast.

00:00:04.107 --> 00:00:11.753
I am your host, Jackie Pelegrin, where my goal is to bring you information, tips, and tricks as an instructional designer.

00:00:11.753 --> 00:00:22.682
Hello, GCU students, alumni, and fellow educators, welcome to episode 57 of the Designing with Love podcast.

00:00:22.682 --> 00:00:33.103
Today, we're diving into a fast-paced, flexible, and feedback-friendly instructional design model that just might become your new favorite approach to rapid prototyping.

00:00:33.103 --> 00:00:44.484
If you've ever found yourself working on a tight deadline, facing unclear expectations, or needing to test an idea before it's fully developed, this episode is for you.

00:00:44.484 --> 00:00:49.284
So grab some coffee, your notebook, and let's get started.

00:00:50.468 --> 00:00:54.302
Rapid prototyping is all about designing smarter, not slower.

00:00:54.302 --> 00:01:12.253
Instead of waiting until the end of a project to test a final version of your learning product, rapid prototyping encourages you to start with a rough draft, or what we call a low-fidelity prototype, and refine it over time, using real feedback from stakeholders and learners.

00:01:12.253 --> 00:01:23.230
It's a continuous loop of design test, tweak and repeat until you've created something that not only looks good but actually works for your learners.

00:01:23.230 --> 00:01:29.867
Here's the best part you don't need a fully fleshed out plan or polished slides to begin.

00:01:29.867 --> 00:01:38.691
Sometimes all it takes is a sketch on paper, a simple storyboard or a sample interaction built in your favorite authoring tool.

00:01:38.691 --> 00:01:46.908
All right, so now that you have a better understanding of what rapid prototyping is, let's take a few minutes to outline how it works.

00:01:46.908 --> 00:01:51.121
Here's how the process usually flows Step 1.

00:01:51.121 --> 00:01:53.088
Identify the learning need.

00:01:53.088 --> 00:01:57.531
What is the problem you are solving and who are your learners?

00:01:57.531 --> 00:01:58.882
Step 2.

00:01:58.882 --> 00:02:00.950
Build a quick prototype.

00:02:00.950 --> 00:02:03.968
Think just enough to communicate your idea.

00:02:03.968 --> 00:02:05.501
Step 3.

00:02:05.501 --> 00:02:07.509
Share and gather feedback.

00:02:07.509 --> 00:02:12.228
Ask questions like what's working, what's unclear, what's missing.

00:02:12.228 --> 00:02:18.062
Step four revise and test again, repeat until it's refined.

00:02:18.062 --> 00:02:21.770
Step five develop the final product.

00:02:21.770 --> 00:02:24.034
Now you can build with confidence.

00:02:24.034 --> 00:02:35.000
No-transcript.

00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:39.848
Now here's where things can get confusing, especially if you're new to instructional design.

00:02:40.735 --> 00:02:48.109
If you've heard of the SAM model that's the Successive Approximation Model you might wonder aren't these two models kind of the same?

00:02:48.109 --> 00:02:54.360
They do share similarities Both are iterative, both emphasize feedback and both aim to reduce the risk of major redesigns late in the process.

00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:58.284
And both aim to reduce the risk of major redesigns late in the process.

00:02:58.284 --> 00:03:00.187
But here's the difference.

00:03:00.187 --> 00:03:04.311
Rapid prototyping is more of a technique or design approach.

00:03:04.311 --> 00:03:10.912
It's fast, informal and very flexible.

00:03:10.912 --> 00:03:16.606
Sam, on the other hand, is a full-fledged instructional design model with defined phases, team workflows and a more formalized process.

00:03:16.606 --> 00:03:23.961
So you could say that rapid prototyping lives inside SAM, especially during the early design and development phases.

00:03:23.961 --> 00:03:28.936
One is a tool, the other is a blueprint Great.

00:03:28.936 --> 00:03:37.727
So now that you know the differences between rapid prototyping and the SAM model, I'll take a few minutes to provide a real-world example so you can hear it in action.

00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:46.127
Let's say you've been asked to design a new data privacy training course and you've got two weeks With rapid prototyping.

00:03:46.127 --> 00:03:54.036
Instead of writing a full script and building out all the interactions up front, you could do the following Number one create a quick outline.

00:03:54.036 --> 00:03:57.717
Number two mock up a few sample slides.

00:03:57.717 --> 00:04:00.819
Number three add placeholder content.

00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:05.483
Number four send it to the legal team and a few learners for feedback.

00:04:05.483 --> 00:04:13.127
Number five from their responses, you realize some terms are too technical and you need to include a scenario-based quiz.

00:04:13.127 --> 00:04:21.973
Great, you adjust, test again and then build the full course without wasting time or guessing what your audience needs.

00:04:23.535 --> 00:04:28.668
All right, so here are some of the key strengths of the rapid prototyping model and when you should use it.

00:04:28.668 --> 00:04:33.346
Here's a quick list of when rapid prototyping really shines.

00:04:33.346 --> 00:04:36.202
Number one you're short on time.

00:04:36.202 --> 00:04:41.146
Number two you're not 100% sure what your learners or stakeholders want.

00:04:41.146 --> 00:04:46.326
Number three you're working with a team that values speed and collaboration.

00:04:46.326 --> 00:04:52.387
Number four you're developing e-learning, mobile learning or micro-learning content.

00:04:52.387 --> 00:04:58.644
Number five you want to test ideas early and often before finalizing anything.

00:04:58.644 --> 00:05:03.312
You want to test ideas early and often before finalizing anything.

00:05:03.312 --> 00:05:07.615
It's perfect for e-learning, corporate training, startups and anywhere.

00:05:07.615 --> 00:05:08.396
Agility is valued over rigid planning.

00:05:08.415 --> 00:05:13.538
All right, so let's wrap up with a short reflection you can jot down in your journal or planner.

00:05:13.538 --> 00:05:17.600
Think about a past or current instructional design project.

00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:23.682
What part of that project could have benefited from faster feedback or early prototyping?

00:05:23.682 --> 00:05:28.745
How might rapid prototyping help you streamline your workflow in future projects?

00:05:28.745 --> 00:05:34.067
Write down three ways you could incorporate prototyping earlier in your process.

00:05:34.067 --> 00:05:40.709
Even small shifts like sketching before scripting, can save time and lead to better learning outcomes.

00:05:41.990 --> 00:05:47.252
At its core, rapid prototyping reminds us that we don't have to get it perfect the first time.

00:05:47.252 --> 00:05:49.132
Designing is a journey.

00:05:49.132 --> 00:05:50.334
Remember.

00:05:50.334 --> 00:05:57.740
With every quick test, tweak and conversation, we move closer to building something truly meaningful for our learners.

00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:10.372
As a recap, we covered what rapid prototyping is, how it works, how it is different from the SAM model, a real-world example, key strengths and when to use it, and a reflection activity.

00:06:11.555 --> 00:06:19.216
You are welcome to review the resource I created at the link provided in the show notes, which includes an overview of what was covered in the episode.

00:06:19.216 --> 00:06:24.319
In addition, please check out my blog site, which is also provided in the show notes.

00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:32.122
As I conclude this episode, I would like to share an inspiring quote by Joyce Meyer step out and find out.

00:06:32.122 --> 00:06:35.245
You don't need perfection to make progress.

00:06:35.245 --> 00:06:37.286
You just need the courage to start.

00:06:37.286 --> 00:06:42.749
Keep testing, keep learning and, as always, keep designing with love.

00:06:42.749 --> 00:06:47.110
Thank you for taking some time to listen to this podcast episode today.

00:06:47.110 --> 00:06:49.411
Your support means the world to me.

00:06:49.411 --> 00:06:59.822
If you'd like to help keep the podcast going, you can share it with a friend or colleague, leave a heartfelt review or offer a monetary contribution.

00:06:59.822 --> 00:07:03.672
Every act of support, big or small, makes a difference and I'm truly thankful for you.

Related to this Episode

Designing on the Fly: How Rapid Prototyping Speeds Up Smarter Learning Design

In today's fast-paced educational and corporate environments, instructional designers face mounting pressure to create effective learning experiences under tight deadlines and with evolving requirements. Traditional linear design approaches often fa…