Prototyping may be the most powerful form of scaffolding. Prototyping elevates students' sense of agency and it allows students to see the progress of their quality of work. The art of prototyping and revisions are refined by critique and self-reflection. Kind, specific, and helpful. KiSH was a protocol that we often used in the classroom and in the professional learning space. A protocol like this guides students to engage and make the act of critique meaningful. Note that this critique only works when students are given a chance to make multiple revisions. Conditions matter.
In this 1:57 minute video, students and teachers at High Tech High share why they think critique is important and how they do it. In this 1:57 minute video,
Ron Berger gives an important aspect of critique: a culture of critique. You can also read the transcript here.
If you have not seen this video, you have to! This 6 minute video of "Austin's butterfly" will change your life.
Learning about an implication of prototype in design thinking (a frame work) will give you an insight on what you can do with your students about protyping.