If you have not used Canva before as a visual design tool, perhaps spring break is a good time for an introduction. Think of it as a super-powered, user-friendly graphic design platform, but tailored for everyone, not just professional designers. We have a site license for all employees and students. You log in using Google and your Pomfret credentials. When I first explored Canva I thought it was more of an elementary school application. I quickly learned that I was wrong and I now use it for professional and personal projects. We have several strong Canva users on campus and can put you in touch with them. Tap into their expertise!

The following resources are directly from Canva support. If you want to learn more, keep reading below.

  • Canva’s teacher resources hub offers teacher and student courses, teacher-focused toolkits for using Canva in the classroom, and information about training opportunities

  • Canva Magic Studio brings AI-powered design to the world of education by saving teachers time and jumpstarting their lesson planning

  • Our education content libraries have everything your teachers need to teach engaging lessons

What is Canva?

Essentially, Canva is a web-based design tool. It allows you to create a wide range of visual content, from presentations and posters to social media graphics and even simple videos. It's built on a drag-and-drop interface, making it incredibly accessible.

Benefits for Classroom Use:

  • Engaging Visuals:

    • Teachers can create visually appealing presentations that hold students' attention much better than plain text slides.

    • Design eye-catching posters, infographics, and handouts to enhance learning materials.

    • Create digital flashcards and study guides.

  • Collaborative Projects:

    • Students can work together on design projects, fostering teamwork and creativity.

    • Teachers can provide feedback and guidance directly within the platform.

  • Variety of Templates:

    • Canva offers a massive library of pre-designed templates for various educational purposes, saving teachers valuable time.

    • These templates cover everything from lesson plans and certificates to digital portfolios and social media posts for classroom updates.

  • Digital Storytelling:

    • Students can create digital stories and presentations using images, videos, and text, promoting digital literacy.

  • Accessibility:

    • Canva is cloud based, so it is accessible from almost any device with an internet connection.

    • This is very helpful in a classroom environment where students and teachers may be using a variety of devices.

Ease of Use:

  • Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface:

    • The user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to get started, even without prior design experience.

  • Extensive Template Library:

    • The vast collection of templates provides a starting point for any project, eliminating the need to start from scratch.

  • Simple Editing Tools:

    • Canva offers a range of easy-to-use editing tools for adjusting colors, fonts, images, and other design elements.

  • Tutorials and Resources:

    • Canva provides a wealth of tutorials and resources to help users learn the platform and improve their design skills.