Prompts to Prototype: Democratic Coding
Overview
In this project, you will propose and develop three concepts for simple computer programs or interactive experiments that you could attempt to build using coding tools or large language models (LLMs). The goal is not to produce a polished, public-ready app, but to understand the creative and technical process of working with AI-based code generation through natural language. Your final project will demonstrate how plain-English prompting, iterative refinement, and creative troubleshooting can lead to functional code, even for those without formal programming backgrounds.
Phase 1: Research & Preparation
Explore the strengths, weaknesses, and personalities of different LLMs and AI coding tools. Create a comparison chart or short written reflection describing your experiences with at least three. You are encouraged (but not required) to subscribe to Galaxy.ai, which offers a large library of AI tools at a low monthly cost.
Phase 2: Concept Development
Brainstorm three project ideas you might attempt to create using AI-assisted coding. These can take the form of interactive web experiments, generative art or music tools, image or text manipulation apps, or simple game or storytelling interfaces.
Each concept should include:
Phase 3: Prototyping with AI
Choose one of your concepts to prototype. Begin prompting your chosen LLM to generate the base code—start with simple instructions like “Create an HTML app that...” Refine your code iteratively: add features, debug errors, improve interface design, and test user interactions. Keep all versions of your code and chat transcripts for documentation. Be sure you’re signed into your LLM account so your conversation history is saved.
Phase 4: Documentation & Reflection
Save each major stage of your project, including chat transcripts, screenshots or screen recordings of the app as it develops, and captions explaining what changed or improved in each iteration. Include a final reflective statement discussing how the AI assisted or limited your creative process, what was difficult to communicate to the LLM, and how this experiment illustrates a democratic approach to technology.
Phase 5: Final Presentation
Publish your final result (and documentation) on your personal project portfolio page. Include a title, description, working link to your prototype (or downloadable file), captions and media from your development stages, and a reflective statement on process and outcome.
Phase 6: Ethical Reflection Statement (200 Words Minimum)
At the conclusion of your project, include a 200-word written reflection addressing the ethical dimensions of using AI and LLM tools in the creation of your work.
This statement should not be a summary of your process, but a deeper rumination on how the use of these technologies reshapes creative labor, authorship, and technical literacy.
Evaluation Criteria
Clarity and originality of project concept (25%)
Documentation of the iterative process (25%)
Functionality or creative demonstration of the prototype (25%)
Critical reflection connecting your work to democratic technology themes (25%)
Project Checklist
■ Research and compare at least three LLMs or AI tools
■ Develop three project concepts with descriptions and goals
■ Select one concept to prototype using an AI coding tool
■ Save all code iterations and chat transcripts
■ Capture screenshots or recordings of development stages
■ Write and include a reflective process statement
■ Publish final project and documentation on your portfolio page
■ Write the 200-word Ethical Reflection Statement
In this project, you will propose and develop three concepts for simple computer programs or interactive experiments that you could attempt to build using coding tools or large language models (LLMs). The goal is not to produce a polished, public-ready app, but to understand the creative and technical process of working with AI-based code generation through natural language. Your final project will demonstrate how plain-English prompting, iterative refinement, and creative troubleshooting can lead to functional code, even for those without formal programming backgrounds.
Phase 1: Research & Preparation
Explore the strengths, weaknesses, and personalities of different LLMs and AI coding tools. Create a comparison chart or short written reflection describing your experiences with at least three. You are encouraged (but not required) to subscribe to Galaxy.ai, which offers a large library of AI tools at a low monthly cost.
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Claude (Anthropic)
- Gemini (Google DeepMind)
- Perplexity
- GitHub Copilot
- Replit Ghostwriter
- Cursor.ai
- Poe (multi-model interface)
- Mistral
- Meta LLaMA (via Hugging Face)
Phase 2: Concept Development
Brainstorm three project ideas you might attempt to create using AI-assisted coding. These can take the form of interactive web experiments, generative art or music tools, image or text manipulation apps, or simple game or storytelling interfaces.
Each concept should include:
- A title
- A one-paragraph description of the idea
- A brief technical goal (e.g., 'generate random color palettes from uploaded photos')
- A democratic or cultural dimension (how it relates to access, creativity, or media literacy)
Phase 3: Prototyping with AI
Choose one of your concepts to prototype. Begin prompting your chosen LLM to generate the base code—start with simple instructions like “Create an HTML app that...” Refine your code iteratively: add features, debug errors, improve interface design, and test user interactions. Keep all versions of your code and chat transcripts for documentation. Be sure you’re signed into your LLM account so your conversation history is saved.
Phase 4: Documentation & Reflection
Save each major stage of your project, including chat transcripts, screenshots or screen recordings of the app as it develops, and captions explaining what changed or improved in each iteration. Include a final reflective statement discussing how the AI assisted or limited your creative process, what was difficult to communicate to the LLM, and how this experiment illustrates a democratic approach to technology.
Phase 5: Final Presentation
Publish your final result (and documentation) on your personal project portfolio page. Include a title, description, working link to your prototype (or downloadable file), captions and media from your development stages, and a reflective statement on process and outcome.
Phase 6: Ethical Reflection Statement (200 Words Minimum)
At the conclusion of your project, include a 200-word written reflection addressing the ethical dimensions of using AI and LLM tools in the creation of your work.
This statement should not be a summary of your process, but a deeper rumination on how the use of these technologies reshapes creative labor, authorship, and technical literacy.
- Would using such tools displace or diminish opportunities for human workers in related creative or technical fields?
- If you had not used AI assistance, would you have been able to develop the non-AI skills necessary to create this project? How long might that have taken?
- What did you learn about coding itself through this collaboration with AI?
- How might you foresee this technology being abused or misused—by individuals, corporations, or governments—in the future?
Evaluation Criteria
Clarity and originality of project concept (25%)
Documentation of the iterative process (25%)
Functionality or creative demonstration of the prototype (25%)
Critical reflection connecting your work to democratic technology themes (25%)
Project Checklist
■ Research and compare at least three LLMs or AI tools
■ Develop three project concepts with descriptions and goals
■ Select one concept to prototype using an AI coding tool
■ Save all code iterations and chat transcripts
■ Capture screenshots or recordings of development stages
■ Write and include a reflective process statement
■ Publish final project and documentation on your portfolio page
■ Write the 200-word Ethical Reflection Statement
