When starting with electronic (rapid) prototyping you will often encounter one name: Arduino. Although Arduino itself is only one company, there popularity and scale made them basically synonymous with prototyping and micro controllers.
Arduino provides a relatively easy way to implement real connectivity and interactivity to your prototype. You still need to code and understand basics of electricity, but a big community and sheer endless list of tutorials online will help you on every step of the way.
How to install Arduino Software
From idea to working code: The Acting Machine Technique