Bridging design prototypes (BDPs)

A design tool to research and resource sustainable, equitable, flexible learning

Abstract

To support digital access and equity, human-centred design (HCD) has been recommended to facilitate the construction of culturally sensitive, accessible, and flexible learning. The bridging design prototype (BDP) approach is an HCD method, used to advance novel educational practice in K-12 and distance higher education. BDPs are fully functional rapid prototypes of resources/technologies that educators accept to incorporate in real activities with their students. Early adoption of a BDP enables a classroom community to participate and play a critical role in a design process, which makes them suitable to investigate needs and emergent practices in a sustainable and respectful manner. This approach is comprised of six principles underpinned by concepts drawn from: human-centred product development, user-centred design, inclusive design, participatory design, and a theory for meaningful learning. The first set of principles help to understand who we are designing for and the second set of principles help to implement resource features. BDPs are useful in projects seeking community design, bottom-up adoption, decentring external designer participation, and enabling users to become designers. A walked through example on the implementation of a BDP is used to illustrate how this framework is used for prototyping resources that engage educators, students, and support staff in meaningful and engaging experimentations.