Take 5 for Tech

Sometimes you just need a change of pace in the classroom to get to those student (and teacher) breaks. Canva assignments are a great option when you want to liven things up and try something new while still covering standards and traditional class content. In my humble opinion, Canva is a completely underutilized class assignment resource, but it doesn't have to stay that way! Teachers create Canva assignments by taking a template and then sharing it with students so that they all get their own copy. Seamless integration can easily be achieved through Google Classroom and Canvas. Alternatively, assignments can be created in Canva, and teachers can choose the "Template Link" sharing option. This automatically generates a URL that, when clicked, will create a copy of the desired template. That link can then be shared with whomever and however desired. (Please note that assignment links are only valid for 20 days.)

There are several ways you can make a Canva assignment:

1. Use a Canva ready-made template as-is.
2. Use a Canva ready-made template and tweak it to best serve your needs (my personal favorite!).
3. Create a Canva template.
4. Allow students to start from scratch.

Teachers are obviously constrained by time, so typically the first two options are optimal in most classroom situations. They allow students to be creative without requiring:

• the time to "figure" Canva out
• the time to create content from scratch

After a Canva assignment has been created, teachers can easily see who has started, see the last time they worked on the activity, and even see the assignment as it has been constructed.

This now in! Canvas has always been great, but the integration is Canvas, not so much. . . until now! Use Canva templates with more ease from within Canvas because of these new improvements:

• Teachers can assign Canva assignments in Canvas with the "Extended Tool" feature.
• Students can more simply submit their Canva assignments natively in Canvas.
• Teachers can grade more easily and faster by having student assignments submitted directly to SpeedGrader.

It's easier than ever for students to submit their Canva assignments in Canvas. It's highly recommended to include assignment submission directions in the first few Canva assignments you assign. Here are text directions for the entire Canva assignment process in Canvas:

1. Log in to your student Canvas account.
2. Go to Course, then go to the Canva assignment. (For most teachers, it will be in your current course Module. For a few teachers it might be in Assignments.)
3. Select Load activity in new tab to launch Canva.
4. Complete the design in Canva.
5. Select Submit to Canvas button. Click the Submit button that pops up. (Then the teacher will be able to grade the assignment in SpeedGrader with comments.)

Submit Canvas Assignments to Canvas (Using an External Tool)- Video

Assignment Submission Directions for External Tools & Online Submission Types

Canva assignments have come leaps and bounds in Google Classroom! Teachers are no longer simply reliant on giving an external assignment link to a Canva assignment. With new Google Classroom integration, teachers can:

• Have a direct and fast connection between Canva and the Google Classroom Class
• Grade assignments directly in Google Classroom
• Benefit from communication native to Google Classroom

It's equally easy for students to submit assignments in Google Classroom. It's highly recommended to include assignment submission directions in the first few Canva assignments you assign. Here are text directions for the entire Canva assignment process in Google Classroom:

1. Students will find a link to the assignment in Google Classroom. They'll click it and it will take them into Canva.

2. Once they have completed the assignment, from the top menu of option in Canva, select Share.

3. Select Google Classroom. If you don’t see it, select More and then Google Classroom.

4. Select the class to submit to, and select the assignment.

5. Select Attach to attach your design.

6. Select View assignment to go to Google Classroom and turn in the assignment. (Note: You need to be logged in to your Google Classroom account to see your classes and assignments.)

Submit Google Classroom Assignments- Directions

Canva Magic Activities are AI-powered to help teachers decrease creation time and increase student engagement. The AI generation takes them a step beyond just the typical Canva template. Teachers input important information they want to cover such as lesson subject, grade level, and objectives. Here's some great information about Magic Activities Prompting Tips. If teachers need inspiration, they can also launch their activity from a set of already vetted activities. With that specific prompting information, Canva's AI creates tools that teachers can evaluate for content and tweak. Because of AI, teachers can also "Transform text" to rewrite it in another language. Other options are rewriting, fixing spelling, continue writing, shorten, make formal, change voice and more.

All of the Magic Activities are designed to be interactive for students. They range from things like storyboards, playlists and graphic organizers. Magic Activities are found in the "Classwork" tab of Canva. They currently come in two forms, whiteboards and docs. Click the button below to explore Magic Activities or check out the helpful video.

Last week, they held the 2025 Canva Keynote to publicize all of the new features. It presented many new or enhanced features. Here are just a few of the ones I'm excited about:

• More powerful video editing tools
• Visual Suite 2.0, where products can be worked on in any format without switching to another file
• Fully interactive websites with the ability to embed other Canva assets seamlessly
• Canva Sheets and charts that are now even more data, AI, and integration-enhanced
• A font glow-up with kerning and ligatures

I'm absolutely in love with Canva and I want to help you love it too. If you haven't used it, want to explore using it as an educational tool or need ideas how to use it in your next unit, I want to help. You can make an appointment by using my appointment links calendar or making a request at IT-HelpDesk@mywccc.org.