the project trap

The LDT MA project trap

Mike Griffin 20100211

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The LDT MA project trap

Mike Griffin 20100211

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Or, how I learned to stop polishing and start iterating

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Learning

Design

Technology

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Learning

Design

Technology

Let’s make something amazing.

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Learning

Design

Technology

Let’s make something that makes change.

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Strong visual design, coherent system

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Learning

Design

Technology

Realistic lesson plans, new research

Strong visual design, coherent system

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Learning

Design

Technology

Realistic lesson plans, new research

Strong visual design, coherent system

Feature-rich, robust applications

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Learning

Design

Technology

Let’s make something that makes change.

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Understand

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Understand

Understand something about the world.

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Understand Intervene

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Understand Intervene

Introduce a ‘thing’ you’d expect to make a difference.

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Understand Intervene Measure

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Understand Intervene Measure

See if you’ve move the needle.

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Understand Intervene Measure

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Understand Intervene Measure

Learning research literature

Domain literature

Surveys

New reports

Personal experience

Field research

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Understand Intervene Measure

Flash prototype

Web sites

Paper prototypes

Complete applications

Curriculum plans

Hardware

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Understand Intervene

User study

Learner study

Usability lab

Heuristics

Field trial

Focus groups

Measure

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Understand Intervene Measure

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Strategic goals

Value for learners

Understand Intervene Measure

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Strategic goals

Value for learners

Understand Intervene Measure

Demonstrating skills for degree and career

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{ the trap }

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Understanding

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Background research

Discussions with advisors

Understanding

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An idea

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Intervening

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Intervening

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Intervening

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Intervening

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Visual design

Coding

Curriculum design

Division of labor

Intervening

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Measuring

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User study at the end

Measuring

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Another idea

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Ideas for further research

Lessons learned

Changes that would improve the original idea

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Is this a good idea?

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Is it better than other ideas?

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A process for hunting value…

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{ avoiding the trap }

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Understanding

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Background research

Discussions with advisors

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An idea

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An (incorrect) idea

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An (incorrect) idea

Hypothesis

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An (incorrect) idea

Hypothesis

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Intervening

Hypothesis

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Quick and dirty

Easy to make

Intervening

Hypothesis

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Intervening

Paper prototypes

Quick and dirty

Easy to make

Hypothesis

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Intervening

Quick and dirty

Easy to make

Hypothesis Paper prototypes

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Measuring

Hypothesis Paper prototypes

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Measuring

Quick and dirty

Out in the real world

What’s weak?

Hypothesis Paper prototypes

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Quick and dirty

Out in the real world

What’s weak?

Measuring

Rapid testing

Hypothesis Paper prototypes

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Quick and dirty

Out in the real world

What’s weak?

Measuring

Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing

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Pause and reflect

Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing

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Do it again

Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing

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Iteration

Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing

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(%(,#&Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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(%(,#&Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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(%(,#&Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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(%(,#&Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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(%(,#&Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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Stronger claims

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Much stronger story

Hypothesis Paper prototypes Rapid testing Iteration

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Understand Intervene Measure

Strategic goals

Value

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Understand Intervene Measure

Strategic goals

Value

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Demonstrating skills for degree and career

Understand Intervene Measure

Strategic goals

Value

Special thanks to Jay Dautcher and Ron Conescu for their helpful comments!