Prototyping with ChatGPT: A Tiny AI Design Sprint

Can a chatbot help you storyboard a training module in under 5 minutes?

Turns out, yes — and it’s actually kind of fun.

This mini demo screencast walks through how I used ChatGPT to kickstart the design of a short eLearning module, aimed at customer service staff learning de-escalation skills. It’s low-fi, high-value, and packed with little time-savers — perfect for a quick-start prototype.

The Problem

How can instructional designers make the most of AI?

I wanted to show how I have used AI as a creative partner — not just to brainstorm, but to sketch out actual content for tools like Articulate Rise. For this example, I focused on a realistic scenario: creating a quirky, engaging microlearning module for frontline restaurant staff dealing with tough customer interactions.

The Solution:

I recorded a short screencast in Loom where I’ll share how I:

  1. Prompted ChatGPT for a scenario-based lesson plan

  2. Explored how GPT outputs can be formatted for Articulate Rise

  3. Played with quirky title ideas to match the tone

  4. Teased out ideas for printable job aids to support on-the-job learning

  5. Talked through next steps in design development

Target audience

  • L&D professionals curious about prototyping with AI

  • Hiring teams looking for adaptive design thinking

  • Instructional designers exploring ways to lighten their creative load

Tools used

  • ChatGPT (GPT-4) – for lesson content, titles, and job aid ideas

  • Articulate Rise – not used directly, but as a content format reference

  • Loom – quick, unscripted walkthrough to keep things human

Process Highlights

AI-Generated Lesson Plan

I asked ChatGPT to design a short de-escalation training for restaurant staff. It came back with a focused scenario, clear objectives, and slide-ready structure — even formatted for Rise block types.

Content to Prototype

ChatGPT suggested how to build it in Rise or Storyline, and gave direct links to continue building. I reviewed what worked and how I’d adapt it for my audience.

Naming with Personality

Next, I prompted ChatGPT to help me come up with a quirky title. It threw out options like “Order Up! Calm Down” and “Too Hot to Handle (But the Food’s Not).” I explored tone, voice, and how title choices affect learner buy-in.

Takeaways

  • You don’t need fancy tools to show smart design.

  • ChatGPT is great for rapid prototyping — if you ask the right way.

  • This workflow is fast, flexible, and adaptable for client work.

It’s casual, it’s honest, and it shows exactly how I work — curious, iterative, and always thinking about the learner.