CU: Canva

Create an Account

1. Go to canva.com Links to an external site..

2. To create an account, choose to either login with your Google account (recommended), or sign up via email. If you choose to sign in with Google, it will ask you for your Google (CSDDocs) username and password.

Choose your Design Type

The biggest differences between the different design types is size. Consider where you want to publish or share your creation (e.g., in a presentation, on a piece of paper, on Facebook, etc.), as this will help you determine the best size.

With the free version of Canva, you cannot resize your creations. As a result, taking a business card you've created, for example, and trying to print it as an 8.5 x 11 inch poster will end up too blurry.

Some common design types include:

Use your Canva dashboard to navigate the different design types available. Click on the one you want to use!

Choose a Template

Use the menu on the left to choose Templates. Once you identify the one you want, click on it. All visual components of a template can be deleted or changed.

Choose a Background

Use the menu on the left to choose Backgrounds. Choose a patterned or color background for your creation.

Add Elements

Use the menu on the left to choose Elements. Search for a particular element and scroll through until you find one you want. Click on it to add to your creation. Resize, or change the color of monocolor elements.

Add Text

Use the menu on the left to choose Text. Either click on the text at the top of the menu to add a heading, etc., or click on a pre-designed text template below. Size, color, and font can be changed!

Customize with the Toolbar

Whether you are editing an element, text, etc., use the toolbar to make changes.

Publishing Options

Download File Types

Inviting Others

Note: While you can collaborate on designs in Canva, it is not like Google Docs where two people can be working simultaneously. Canva will warn you to wait if someone else is working on the document when you go to edit it.

Leaving Notes & Comments

Using Canva with Students

Note: Canva's Terms of Use Links to an external site. require that students under 13 are under direct supervision during use.

Use Canva for any student products to provide them with an option for easy, visual appealing designs:

• Create presentation slides
• Create a personal learning plan
• Group project products
• Quantify information with charts and graphs
• Infographics to demonstrate learning or synthesis
• and more Links to an external site.!

Don't know where to start to prepare students? Have them set up accounts and then complete this 2-minute tutorial Links to an external site. created by Canva.

Student Canva Accounts

Note: Canva's Terms of Use Links to an external site. require that students under 13 are under direct supervision during use.

Students can create their own free Canva accounts by using the Google single sign-on button.

Canva for Education Accounts

While the free version of Canva is enough for student creation, Canva offers free Canva Pro access for classes of up to 30 students. To apply, click here Links to an external site.. You must be a certified teacher to apply.

10 Designs You Can Create With Canva

(adapted from "Canva In The Classroom: Getting Started, Example Designs, And Tips!" by Kathleen Morris Links to an external site.)

1. Posters
2. Presentations
3. Infographics
4. Business cards
5. Certificates
6. Labels
7. Newsletters
8. Social media graphics
9. Class logo
10. Canvas course header

1. Posters

Posters are staples for school communication and are a great way for students to demonstrate their learning.

You or your students can choose from pages and pages full of poster templates. There’s everything from inspirational quotes (like the one below), classroom rules or procedures, upcoming events, and so on.

2. Presentations

You might give presentations to staff, students, or parents, or perhaps your students present to the class from time to time.

There are options beyond PowerPoint and Google Slides; Canva offers lots of professional-looking templates that can blow your audience away!

Present straight form Canva, or, if you want to embed your Canva presentation in your Canvas course, simply download it as a PDF, add it to your content page, and choose the link option "Automatically open an in-line preview." Links to an external site.

Sample Canva Presentation Download Sample Canva Presentation

3. Infographics

All sorts of infographics, charts, timelines, or graphs can be created with Canva to clearly present information. Infographics not only serve as a great visual aid for teaching but can also spice up Canvas course content.

This post Links to an external site. walks you through the process of creating your own effective infographic.

4. Business Cards

A business card can be a handy way to display your contact information and links to your virtual spaces, including your Canvas course.

You could display a ‘business card’ as an image on your Canvas course, or print some out, laminate them, attach a magnet to the back, and send them home!

Including both the URL and including a QR code offers your community choice. Many people love using QR codes because they can simply use their phone’s camera to scan the code and they’ll be on the website in seconds.

Tips on QR codes:

• You can create a QR code for your blog with a transparent background using a tool like this one from Pinetools Links to an external site..
• You can then upload the QR code as an image and add it to your design.
• Show students and families how to scan a QR code using the camera of their phone or tablet to go straight to the website.

5. Certificates

Create professional looking certificates with just a few clicks using Canva templates. These might be useful for student awards, graduation, sports, or certificates of appreciation for members of the school community.

6. Labels or Canvas Buttons

What teacher doesn’t like a nicely labeled classroom? Clear and attractive labels can help you and your student get organized while brightening up the learning environment.

You can also create "buttons" to use on your Canvas course. Upload the image and link it to the desired Canvas page! Just don't forget to include the text written on the button as "Alt Text" when uploading your image Links to an external site..

Tip on size: With Canva, you can create labels or buttons that are a perfect fit. From your Canva homepage, click on ‘Custom dimensions’ on the right-hand side.

You can enter your required width and height in pixels, inches, millimeters, or centimeters.

You can also explore Canva’s label hub Links to an external site. that makes it easy to design all sorts of labels that you can print yourself or order professional prints.

7. Newsletters

Whether you’re designing a newsletter to print or distribute digitally, a clear and attractive design can really help engage your readers and get your message across.

Once you decide on a template that works well, you can re-use the design to build the consistent ‘brand’ of your class or school.

Example Canva Newsletter Download Example Canva Newsletter

8. Social Media Graphics

Adding images or graphics to your posts is really going to add impact and make your content easier to read.

9. Class Logo

Build community and morale by coming up with a class name and logo. Perhaps students could have a go at designing a logo and then put it to a vote!

You could display your logo on your Canvas course, on your bulletin board, on notes home, and use it as an avatar if you have class Twitter or Instagram accounts etc.

10. Canvas Course Header

Many teachers and students like to give their Canvas course a personal touch by using a custom header image. It’s easy to make your own custom header using Canva.