As a teacher, it is common that there will be many different posters throughout the classroom with details about how to do a certain procedure in our classroom. There is an online website, Canva, that is perfect for creating these posters and it is free to create an account. Keep reading below to discover more about this online website.
What is Canva? Canva is an online website that can be reached by clicking on this link. www.canva.com On Canva, teachers are able to create a free account and begin designing posters for their classrooms using current free templates or creating their own template. This provides an easy system for teachers to use without the hassle of creating a complex poster by hand. How does one begin creating a poster on Canva? To begin, go to the attached link in the above paragraph. One you have reached this site, click on "sign up". There are three different options for creating an account, and go with what you will most likely use. Following the sign in procedure, select "teacher" and choose a template that seems appropriate for the poster you would like to create. If you would rather begin by creating your own template, that is perfectly fine, just click design, then new and begin at the closest that you can get to the basic template. There are options on the side bar for texts, pictures, elements, layouts, and backgrounds. *Note- Some of the templates, pictures, etc. require money. If you wish to keep the Canva free, then click on the pictures, templates, etc. that are free.* Once you have your plan in place, begin creating your Canva and have fun creating it! One example of a Canva that has been created is the one pictured above. This Canva was created for a teacher who was looking for a reward system in the classroom. The Canva describes what the student's will receive if they complete the steps mentioned.
Why does Canva fit under Danielson's Framework Domain 2C? The focus on Domain 2C in Danielson's framework is "Managing Procedures in the Classroom". In this domain, there should be a flow of instruction avoiding choppiness in lessons. One of the ways to have the classroom run smoothly is specifically mentioned in the following element of the domain: Management of Materials and Supplies. This element specifically focuses on the student's knowing what to do with their homework and with any items that they have during the day. Having a poster stating specifically what the students are to receive when they accomplish so many class assignments, allows the students to just report to the teacher rather than disturbing a lesson to try and discuss the reward and avoiding class learning time. Having the ability to create posters that specifically focus procedures and student's actions allows for less lesson distractions from students. This tool could be used for more and be placed into different domains of Danielson's Framework, yet I feel it can have a major impact on this domain. What would I do differently with Canva? As much as Canva is a help to create posters, when I am looking for templates and pictures, there is an overwhelming amount of photos that require payment. When I am searching for a specific idea, I found that it is more difficult to find the picture I want without going through all of the paid photographs. I would like to have the design of the website changed so that when I am searching photos, I can go through only the free photographs. This would make my search for templates and photographs simpler and I would spend less time digging for the free photographs. How does Canva relate to the SAMR Model? Because Canva allows for the creation of poster online, it ties in directly with the SAMR model, specifically with the element of Modification. No longer does a teacher need to create a poster by hand, yet he or she can create a poster using only technology. The reason Canva fits into the Modification section of the SAMR model is due to the complete use of technology, which was not previously used and pictures as well as colors are added to the poster. The students could also create posters for the classroom, giving the students a chance to create their own posters and have this become a group project. The added features of saving automatically as well as templates and such items allows for this website to fit in perfectly with the SAMR model. How can I use Canva in my future classroom? Canva is a tool that any teacher can use, but it could also be used by the class. In my future classroom, to prepare for the school year, I can create Canva posters with procedures that I expect my students to follow. As the year progresses on, I have my students create their own posters to add to the classroom. Having my students create their own posters, creates a welcoming environment as well as helping them to advance their Creative Communicator step, because the poster is online, that is involved in the ISTE standards for students. In addition to the ISTE standard incorporation, the students would be eager to help create posters that could clearly be displayed in and around the classroom.