How can I use Canva in the classroom and why would I want to?
For those of you that might not be familiar with Canva, Canva allows you to make beautiful, professional graphics for free. You don’t have to be a graphic designer, but they do have a free design school to grow your skills. Anyone, including your students can use Canva to make infographics
Infographics for what? Math, science, reading, social studies, social emotional learning…I am not kidding. If you can think it, you can make it. For more ideas on how to use Canva in your classroom, Meredith over at Bespoke ELA has already written a post about 10 ways to use Canva in the classroom, so check her out also.
Why would you want to use Canva in the classroom?
First, it’s engaging
Creative expression projects are HIGHLY engaging. Students enjoy creating, and Canva not only harnesses that innate desire to create, but helps struggling creators. Canva offers templates, a variety of FREE images and fonts, stock photos for your use, and so much more.
Second, it promotes discussion
Not only is it engaging, using Canva in the classroom encourages discussion.
Once created, students share their media creations in Google Classroom. As a group (either live in class or through meeting software) share those submissions and encourage students to explain their work. Then, have the group analyze the graphic as being accurate, and its ability to communicate ideas effectively. What do students like about this graphic? Are there elements in the graphic that are distracting? What works especially well and what doesn’t? These are all great discussion points that not only can cover listening and speaking standards, but science standards in developing models as well.
Third, it’s relevant
Lastly, using Canva in the classroom is a relevant and meaningful way to integrate technology in your classroom.
Graphic design is a field that is growing. By the year 2026, the demand for graphic designers
will outpace other fields with a 10% increase for demand. The drudgery of school is that it isn’t engaging and students don’t feel the information they are learning is important.
Imagine students creating an infographic for the Iliad detailing the ideal Homeric man. Or asking students to make an infographic to explain a scientific concept? You can take an otherwise mundane task and up its wow factor by inviting creativity into it through the use of Canva in your classroom.
Use Canva, it’s engaging, it’s relevant and cool, it sparks joy in both the process and through classroom discussion.
I am convinced that I should be using Canva in the classroom, so now what?
Canva offers a free version of their graphic designer software that includes many free elements, pictures, and templates to speed up the creation process.
In order for students to get the free version, they will need to share their email. Setting up DUMMY email accounts is worth the time if your district does NOT allow your students to share their school emails with outside sites. Once you have these DUMMY accounts made, your students will be able to login to Canva and begin creating.
What I also like about Canva is that I can create a template to support students in the creation process. All I have to do is choose a template I want my students to use, or design one myself, and then share the link for the template in Google Classroom.
In Canva, you can generate a shareable template link. If you forget to do this, it is important that you remind your students to create a COPY of the creation before editing.
Now, all your students need to do is click the link in Google Classroom and they automatically have access to the graphic.
Students can add photos, edit text, or add any elements (that are FREE) to help communicate the learning or concept that they are studying.
What about collaboration?
Using Canva in the classroom doesn’t mean your students are plugged into devices even more. You, or your students can share a design with others. You can also have students working in small break out groups in Zoom or Google Meet with one student acting as the graphic designer, and other students filling other roles.
All of these ideas, along with materials to support in classroom (or digital) classroom learning will be provided in my course on Launching Google Sites in Your Classroom. Right now, the course is in presale, but that price won’t last long. Why should your use Google Sites? You can read more about how my decision to use Google Sites this coming year gave me peace amid the uncertainty of school. I would love to help you and your students get organized, as well as help you better prepare and communicate with your students this coming year.
Can’t wait? I am available for private coaching calls and would be more than happy to help you get your Google Site up and running, I can provide one time help, or ongoing support to help you use Google Sites in your classroom.
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to grab your FREE Launching Google Sites workbook. You can also join the Techy Teachers Using Google Sites private Facebook group to receive support and ideas about using Sites in your classroom.
Everybody Like Freebies, Right?
To get you and your students familiar with using Canva in the classroom, and to promote classroom community no matter your situation this year, I have provided you with this getting to know me graphic template. You can also get a FREE evaluation form for your students by joining the FREE Techy Teachers Using Google Sites Facebook Group.
It is important that we not only inspire and challenge our students in creative ways, but that we encourage evaluation and growth in their learning. Technology use in the classroom should not be limited to consumption, but also the creation and evaluation of media.
I am looking forward to meeting with you over in the Techy Teachers Using Google Sites Facebook group where we have templates to help your students make their own homepage in Google Sites. You will also find a mood board template to assist you and your students in creating a cohesive and sharp look to their Google Classroom Site.
See you soon!
