Scaffolding innovation in learning.

A creative R&D studio helping education organizations explore, prototype, and build what’s next.

We scaffold teams into their next zone — from idea to validated prototype to scalable tool.

Talk to us See how we work

Nested zones

Scaffolding

Lightweight rituals, evidence loops, and handoffs that let teams stretch safely.

A constellation grid depicting nested zones of exploration

Approach

Understand → Explore → Prototype → Build

We build just enough scaffolding for your team to explore the unknown confidently, then we gradually hand it back.

AI won’t solve everything.Stay iterative. Stay learning. Stay focused.

Step 01

Understand

Clarify learner needs, team goals, and the constraints we’re working within before we make our first move.

Synthesize existing research, data, and on-the-ground context
Facilitated alignment sessions to surface goals and guardrails
Success measures agreed on before we spin up experiments

Step 02

Explore

Frame the opportunity, align on outcomes, and run small bets that surface signal fast.

Immersive research sprints with learners and practitioners
Opportunity mapping and readiness checkpoints
Experiments that validate or kill ideas in days, not quarters

Step 03

Prototype

Translate ideas into tangible experiences that learners can poke at and react to.

Co-design studios with subject-matter experts and students
Rapid prototyping in Figma, Web, and AI-native canvases
Evidence dashboards that reveal what’s working (and where to cut)

Step 04

Build

Tighten the bolts, productionize what stuck, and ready your team to own the roadmap.

Technical feasibility spikes & integration plans
Pilot-ready build loops with muscle for iteration
Team enablement and playbooks for post-engagement momentum

Services

Scaffolding offerings across the continuum

Each engagement is tailored to your team’s context. We map the right mix of exploration, prototyping, and build support so you get momentum without dependency.

2–4 weeks • Hybrid

Prototype co-design sprints

Structured weeks where your team and ours co-create validated concepts with real learners.

Journey snapshots & problem framing canvas
Interactive prototype with validated learning
Sprint readout with decision playbook

3–6 weeks • Remote-first

Experimental Canvas integrations

Lightweight LTI experiments that test new learning flows inside your existing LMS.

Integration spike + technical decision log
Sandbox-ready LTI prototype
Usage instrumentation + success measures

4–8 weeks • Embedded

Experimental learning prototypes

De-risk big bets by prototyping core learning loops before you commit a full team.

Prototype charter & research map
Interactive prototype instrumented for learning
Evidence readout + recommendations

6–10 weeks • Embedded hybrid

AI learning tools

Design human-centered AI experiences that augment—not replace—educators.

Responsible AI guardrails & ethical review
Service blueprint with teacher + learner journeys
Functional prototype with feedback instrumentation

2–5 weeks • Remote

Business automations & integrations

Untangle the messy middleware so teams can focus on student impact.

Systems audit & integration landscape
Automation roadmap with ROI snapshots
Proof-of-concept workflows & handoff docs

1–3 weeks • Sprint-aligned

Technical planning & feasibility

Give your roadmap scaffolding with pragmatic technical plans your team can trust.

Feasibility matrix & decision log
Architecture sketches & integration map
Resourcing scenarios with hiring recommendations

Projects

Anonymized case snapshots

We work across districts, nonprofits, and venture-backed teams. Cases stay anonymized here, but we’re glad to go deeper in conversation.

AI literacyTeacher enablementPrototype-to-pilot

Regional district AI pathfinder

Co-led a rapid discovery + prototype loop to help educators test AI-supported lesson planning without overwhelming them.

Product strategyLMS integrationAdult learning

Micro-credential launch catalyst

Partnered with a higher-ed consortium to pilot layered micro-credential pathways with Canvas and Notion as a service layer.

Learning scienceHardware prototypingMiddle school

STEM lab playkit

Guided a STEM nonprofit through a build-measure-learn loop that transformed a cumbersome lab kit into a modular play system.

Learnings

Field notes and reflections

Short riffs on what we’re testing, frameworks we’re remixing, and questions we’re asking with teams.

4 min read

Signal-rich prototypes beat perfect pilots

How to design prototypes that surface decision-ready insight while staying delightfully scrappy.

Publishing soon

6 min read

Designing AI rituals teams can trust

A guide to weaving AI into existing team rhythms without spooking stakeholders or learners.

Publishing soon

5 min read

Scaffolding systems for iterative teams

Looking at scaffolding as an evolving system of nested supports, not a one-time artifact.

Publishing soon

About

R&D studio rooted in learning science and playful prototyping

ZPD Studio helps education organizations explore emerging possibilities with just enough scaffolding to make the leap. We combine research depth, playful prototyping, and pragmatic builds that respect the realities of schools and learners.

Shane Skikne

Founder & Principal

Shane has spent the last decade helping EdTech teams translate research into tools that actually ship. He pairs systems thinking with playful experimentation to help teams stretch into their next zone.

Co-created and shipped learner-centered tools with K-12 districts, higher-ed labs, and EdTech startups.
Former instructional designer turned product strategist with a love of messy discovery loops.
Known for translating research into prototypes that real humans can test and trust.

Portland, OR & RemoteEmail Shane

We assemble collaborators who care about the craft of learning. When the brief asks for wider expertise, we tap:

Learning scientistsCreative technologistsInstructional designersProduct strategists

We build crews around the brief. Reach out if you want to jam or co-lead a project.

LinkedIn Bluesky GitHub

Contact

Tell us what you want to explore.

Share the bet, the hypothesis, or the “we’re not sure yet” moment. We’ll reply with where we can help and when to bring in collaborators.

Prefer email? Drop us a note at hello@zpd.studio.

Share a hypothesis, a problem statement, or a vibe check. We’ll respond with where we can help, who else to bring in, and suggested next steps.

Start a conversation