Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide Test and Pitch
Students will test their prototype with 1–2 peers, collect feedback, revise one aspect, and deliver a 60-second pitch.
This lesson teaches students the vital design thinking skills of user testing and iteration. It also hones their ability to clearly and concisely present their ideas, essential for real-world projects and communication.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on testing, immediate feedback, rapid revision, and a focused pitch.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Teacher Guide Test and Pitch to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow and objectives.
- Review the Slides Try It Out to understand the visual aids and talking points.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Do Now Feedback Goals warm-up for each student.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Test Script and Feedback Form for each student.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Pitch Rubric for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the Gallery Walk Demos discussion prompts.
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Exit Ticket Next Step for each student.
- Ensure prototypes are ready for testing (students should bring them, or they should be accessible if digital).
- Arrange the classroom to facilitate small group testing and a gallery walk if space allows.
Step 1
Do Now: Set Feedback Goals
5 minutes
- Teacher Script: "Welcome, innovators! Today, we're taking our prototypes to the next level by getting real feedback and perfecting our pitch. Let's start by thinking about how we'll get good feedback."
- Distribute the Do Now Feedback Goals worksheet.
- Instruct students to individually write down 1-2 goals for receiving feedback on their prototype.
- Briefly discuss a few student examples, emphasizing constructive and actionable feedback.
Step 2
Test: Run Quick User Tests and Gather Notes
10 minutes
- Teacher Script: "Now it's time to put your prototypes to the test! You'll work with a partner to gather crucial feedback."
- Pair students up (or groups of 3 if odd numbers).
- Distribute the Test Script and Feedback Form.
- Explain the testing process: one student presents their prototype while the other uses the form to guide feedback.
- Each student gets 5 minutes for testing and feedback collection.
- Circulate and guide students, reminding them to be specific with feedback and to actively listen.
Step 3
Revise: Make One Meaningful Change
5 minutes
- Teacher Script: "Based on the feedback you just received, quickly choose one significant change you can make to your prototype. This isn't about perfection, but about showing you can iterate."
- Students should independently spend 5 minutes making a quick, meaningful revision to their prototype based on the feedback.
- Emphasize that this is a rapid iteration, not a complete overhaul.
Step 4
Pitch: Deliver a 60-Second Demo
5 minutes
- Teacher Script: "Time to shine! You've tested, you've revised, now it's time to convince us why your idea matters."
- Distribute the Pitch Rubric.
- Explain the 60-second pitch structure (problem, solution, unique feature, next steps).
- Students will deliver their pitches to their partners or small groups, using the Pitch Rubric for peer assessment.
- Consider a
Step 5
Exit Ticket: Define Next Step
5 minutes
- Teacher Script: "Great pitches, everyone! Before we wrap up, let's think about what's next for your incredible ideas."
- Distribute the Exit Ticket Next Step.
- Students will independently define their very next step for their prototype based on the day's activities.
- Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and future planning.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Test and Pitch: Try It Out!
Today's Goal:
- Test your prototype with peers.
- Gather valuable feedback.
- Make a quick, meaningful revision.
- Deliver a compelling 60-second pitch!
Welcome students and introduce the day's objective. Briefly explain the importance of user testing and pitching in real-world innovation.
Do Now: Set Your Feedback Goals
What do you want to learn from testing?
- Think about 1-2 specific goals for receiving feedback on your prototype.
- Write them down on your Do Now Feedback Goals worksheet.
Introduce the "Do Now" activity. Explain that setting goals for feedback helps students focus and get more out of the testing process. Guide them to think about what specific aspects of their prototype they want feedback on.
Time to Test!
User Testing: The Process
- Pair Up: Find 1-2 partners.
- Prototype Presenter: Show your prototype and explain its purpose.
- Feedback Giver: Use the Test Script and Feedback Form to guide your observations and notes.
- Switch! Everyone gets a chance to present and receive feedback.
Goal: Collect honest, actionable feedback!
Explain the user testing process. Emphasize the importance of active listening and taking notes. Remind students to be constructive and specific with their feedback. Point to the Test Script and Feedback Form as their guide.
Revise: Make It Better!
Rapid Revision
- Look at your feedback notes.
- Choose ONE meaningful change to make to your prototype.
- Spend 5 minutes making that change.
Remember: This is a quick iteration, not a complete redesign!
Highlight that iteration is key in design. Explain that this is a quick revision, focusing on one significant change based on the feedback received. It's about showing the ability to adapt, not perfect the prototype.
Pitch Your Prototype!
Your 60-Second Pitch
- Problem: What problem does your prototype solve?
- Solution: How does your prototype address this problem?
- Unique Feature: What makes your prototype special?
- Next Steps: What's one thing you'd do next?
Peer Feedback: Use the Pitch Rubric to assess your partners.
Introduce the pitching activity. Explain the purpose of a concise pitch and the key elements (problem, solution, unique feature, next steps). Refer to the Pitch Rubric for assessment criteria.
Share and Discuss
What did you learn?
- What was the most surprising feedback you received?
- What was the most impactful revision you made?
- What makes a pitch persuasive?
Facilitate a brief discussion if time allows, or use the concept of a "Gallery Walk" if prototypes are physical and can be displayed. The Gallery Walk Demos can provide further prompts.
Exit Ticket: What's Next?
Your Very Next Step
- On your Exit Ticket Next Step, write down one concrete "next step" for your prototype.
- What will you do to continue improving or developing your idea?
Introduce the exit ticket. This helps students consolidate their learning and plan for future development of their prototypes.
Warm Up
Do Now: Setting Your Feedback Goals
Instructions: Before you test your prototype, think about what you want to learn. Write down 1-2 specific goals for the feedback you hope to receive today.
My Feedback Goals:
Worksheet
Test Script and Feedback Form
Part 1: Prototype Presenter Script
Use these prompts to guide your user through testing your prototype.
- "Hi [Tester Name]! Thanks for helping me test my prototype. My prototype is designed to solve [briefly state the problem]."
- "I'd like you to [explain what you want them to do with the prototype]. While you're interacting with it, please think out loud – tell me what you like, what you find confusing, and any ideas that come to mind."
- (Observe and take notes! Ask follow-up questions like:)
- "What are you thinking right now?"
- "What did you expect to happen there?"
- "How does this make you feel?"
- "Now that you've used it, what are your initial thoughts? If you could change one thing, what would it be?"
Part 2: Feedback Giver Form
As the tester uses the prototype, take notes here. After they finish, provide constructive feedback.
Tester's Name:
Prototype Presenter's Name:
What did you observe the tester doing? (Be specific!)
What did you hear the tester say? (Direct quotes are great!)
What worked well in the prototype? (Strengths)
What was confusing or challenging? (Areas for improvement)
If you could give ONE actionable piece of feedback for revision, what would it be?
Rubric
Pitch Rubric
Instructions: Use this rubric to assess your peer's 60-second prototype pitch. Provide constructive feedback in the comments section.
| Criteria | 4 - Excellent | 3 - Good | 2 - Developing | 1 - Needs Improvement | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem Statement | Clearly and compellingly identifies a relevant problem. | Clearly identifies a problem. | Attempts to identify a problem, but it's unclear or less relevant. | Does not clearly identify a problem. | |
| Solution Clarity | Clearly and concisely explains how the prototype solves the problem. | Explains how the prototype solves the problem. | Explanation of the solution is somewhat unclear or hard to follow. | Does not clearly explain how the prototype solves the problem. | |
| Unique Feature | Effectively highlights a unique or innovative aspect of the prototype. | Identifies a unique feature, but its importance isn't fully emphasized. | Mentions a feature, but it's not clearly unique or well-explained. | Does not identify a unique feature. | |
| Next Steps | Clearly articulates a logical and actionable next step for the prototype. | Mentions a next step, but it could be more specific or actionable. | Next step is vague or not clearly connected to the prototype's development. | Does not mention any next steps. | |
| Pitch Delivery | Confident, engaging, and maintains eye contact. Stays within time limit. | Mostly confident and engaging. Stays within time limit. | Delivery is somewhat hesitant or not engaging. May go slightly over time. | Lacks confidence or engagement. Goes significantly over/under time. |
Discussion
Gallery Walk Demos: Discussing Our Innovations
Instructions: As you move around and observe other prototypes (or discuss in small groups), use these questions to guide your conversations and reflections.
Discussion Prompts:
-
What was the most interesting or surprising prototype you saw/heard about today? Why?
-
Think about the feedback process. What was one piece of feedback you heard that you thought was particularly insightful or helpful for someone else?
-
How did seeing other pitches or prototypes inspire your own thinking about your project? Did you get any new ideas for revision or future development?
-
What made a particular pitch stand out to you? What elements of their 60-second pitch were most effective in convincing you of their idea's value?
-
If you had more time, what kind of additional feedback would you seek for your prototype, or what kind of revision would you want to make?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Your Next Step
Instructions: Based on today's activities (testing, feedback, revision, and pitching), what is the single most important