Canva is a graphic creation tool and app. It allows you to create stunning images, posters, presentations, animations, and more. It can be used on a desktop or mobile device.
I am willing to bet that you have heard of it. If you are using it, chances are that you are in LOVE with it!
I love using Canva because it makes me feel like a graphic designer. It takes all of the guess work out of layout, color combinations, and fonts. Even my sister, a graphic designer, loves using Canva!
My students love using Canva. They pretty much love any app and tool that allows them to customize and create. And boy, does Canva deliver! Typically, within a day or so of me introducing Canva, students are finding ways to use it in their classrooms.
Before I share some quick ways for students to use Canva, let’s talk about where to begin. I introduce Canva, in the same way I introduce 3DBear.
I show them how to get to the app or link and how to sign up. I then show them how to choose a design. After that, I give them time to explore.
After a couple of minutes, they share out what they have discovered so far. They typically figure out pretty quickly how to add and edit text, how to add icons and stickers, and insert images. They also usually figure out right quick how to move things around on the page.
Then I give them a few more minutes to find out how to change the font, resize and recolor items on the page.
In under 10 minutes, they are ready to create something with a great deal of ease. Canva is that easy to use.
Fun Facts: I love using Canva in this way! They are a great was to assess content and student understanding. One type of activity I typically give students a choice to complete is to create an Instagram post. They may not be posting it to Instagram, but they are creating something that could be posted on Instagram. For example: sharing a fake news tip.
Presentations: There are quite a few presentation tools available and I love sharing Slides Carnival & SlidesGo with my students. Canva has just as many stunning options that meet a number of purposes! They have created presentations about climate change, endangered species, and space.
Public Service Announcements: My students’ go to for Kindness and Recycling Campaigns is Canva. It is pretty easy to find a template to customize. When they print, they are stunning! A little bit of painter’s tape and voila! Stunning flyers are posted around the school.
Bookmarks: Each year, I have an informal bookmark competition. There is really nothing all that competitive about it. Students design a bookmark in Canva. Table teams choose the one they think is best. I then print out copies on cardstock for everyone in the school to enjoy when they checkout books.
Tutorials: Students don’t always have to create a video for a tutorial. They can also use infographics templates in Canva. Students can explain any process with the templates provided in Canva: life cycle, how to tie a shoe, how to recycle, how to wash your hands well, how to make a Minecraft character. The list goes on.
Let me just say that for YEARS I have looked for an easy way to create infographics and as a classroom teacher, my students used Glogster to create infographics. Canva just makes it so much easier with their templates.
When I decide to use an app, there are a few things that I consider. I always wonder if it will be engaging for my students. Typically if I love it, they do as well. My enthusiasm is contagious.
I determine if it is applicable for many purposes and can be used outside of the media center. Lastly, I try to figure out how long it will take me to teach students to use. If the answer is less than a class period, I’m in.
Quite frankly, Canva meets all of that criteria. It doesn’t take long to learn and can be quickly taught to students.
Obviously, there are a number of ways to use Canva. Some other ideas off the top of my head include:
Grab more quick ideas with the complete guide below!
