Week 4 - Reflection 2: Canva

Various types of digital media can be implemented into the classroom in order to enhance student learning. Digital images present students with a wealth of information and also provide them with a method to communicate with others (Hobdell, 2022).

One image type known as a graphic organiser, can allow students to organise information and visualise connections. This is highly beneficial as neuroscience indicated that our brains are wired to work with visual data (Hobdell, 2022).

Graphic Organiser Example

This is where programs such as Canva can be utilized. Canva can be used to create presentations, posters, graphic organisers and a variety of documents by allowing the user to edit images and layouts to suit a wide range of needs. Canva is a popular program that I have heard of but have never personally used. I decided to make the most of the opportunity presented in this unit to look into the program and the benefits it can bring into the classroom.

Canva is free to use but does have a ‘pro’ upgrade which unlocks additional templates and features for the program. It however is worth noting that over 50 000 templates are available to choose from which can be customised, reducing the need to upgrade. However, upon further investigation I discovered that both students and teachers can upgrade without any cost under the education banner. This may require additional planning time to ensure that each student has successfully upgraded, but could be worth the investment.

Graphic Organiser Templates

Canva has a simple user interface which would allow for both novice and experienced ICT users to make the most of. Additionally, files and audio can be embedded into any presentation. Although the program is quite intuitive, tutorials are available to ensure the program is easy to use.

Canva has a large variety of features that would be beneficial for the classroom, both from a teacher and students’ perspective. The program has a built-in auto-save function which would prevent students from losing their work. Furthermore, the program works on multiple platforms such as Mac and Windows, while also seamlessly embedding other media platforms such as Google Drive, YouTube and Dropbox.

One particular feature of Canva that I believe would be a great tool to implement in the classroom is the ability to collaborate on a project using the video tool, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Instead of writing information on a white board and discussing it with the class, this provides the teacher an opportunity to have the class collaborate and contribute to the project by writing within Canva. This could also be beneficial for students who are having to learn from home due to Covid-19 as it would allow them to still participate within the classroom.

Regarding student collaboration and communication, this program is ideal as it allows students to ‘tag’ each other, provide feedback, share their designs and post comments. This would be ideal for providing students with the ability to provide peer feedback in order to improve their reflective skills.

Whenever students are utilizing online platforms, it is essential that their personal information is safeguarded as teachers are required to ensure that ICT is used safely, responsibly and ethically (AITSL, 2017) as outlined by the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. When utilizing a program like Canva in the classroom, it is essential that students understand why and how to abide by copyright laws to avoid plagiarism and reference their work correctly. Furthermore, it is essential that students are fully aware of the benefits and risks associated with communicating online, such as sharing links to their work with their peers. This will help ensure that even after students complete their schooling, they have developed digital literacy.

I believe that Canva can be implemented into the classroom with ease, and will analyse its’ potential using the four stages of the SAMR model.

Substitution: Technology acts as a direct substitution, with no functional change.

Canva can be used to present learning materials instead of writing from textbooks or the whiteboard. This would reduce the amount of time spent writing down notes and would provide an online copy that can not be lost like physical paper.

Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct substitution, with functional improvement.

Using the graphic organiser templates available in Canva, the teacher can present learning material to the students with the purpose of engagement and retainment of information. Furthermore, the information presented in Canva can be accessed on multiple platforms and devices, allowing the students access both at home and in the classroom. 

Modification: Technology allows for significant task redesign.

Implementing Canva into the classroom would allow for significant redesigning of tasks. Tasks could be changed to allow for students to provide peer feedback, improving their reflection and communication skills. Completing the task in an online setting allows the students to work on their project in the classroom and at home, without having to worry about misplacing it.  

Redefinition: Technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable.

Canva allows students to understand and demonstrate their knowledge by utilizing imagery and the connections they can form more effectively. Furthermore, students are able to effectively collaborate and provide each other with feedback which would be time consuming and difficult to monitor without the aid of technology.

 

References

AITSL. (2017). Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments. Retrieved from Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/standards

Canva. (n.d.). Canva. http://www.canva.com/

Hobdell, G. (2022). Topic 4a: Digital tools 2 - Simple digital media [Lecture Notes]. CQU Moodle. http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/book/view/php?id=2413857&chapterid=179812