Motivation Monday - Canva Activity

 

In today's digital age, fostering creativity and digital literacy skills among students is essential. One effective way to achieve this goal is through engaging activities that combine technology and self-expression. In this blog post, we'll explore a fantastic Canva activity that not only helps students become familiar with the platform but also aligns seamlessly with the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum.

Before diving into the activity, let's briefly introduce Canva. Canva is an intuitive and user-friendly graphic design tool that empowers users to create visually appealing designs, from social media graphics to presentations and more. Its drag-and-drop interface and vast library of templates, images, and fonts make it a versatile platform suitable for various projects.

Activity: Personalised Name Art with Canva

The activity we're spotlighting involves turning one's name into a personalised work of art using Canva. As showcased in the accompanying video, the process is both simple and engaging. Students begin by typing their name onto a Canva canvas. Then, they have the opportunity to fill the letters of their name with objects that reflect their interests, passions, or identity.

Adapting the Activity for all learners:

1. Character Exploration: For literature studies, invite students to choose a character's name from a novel or picture book. They can then infuse the letters with images that symbolise the character's traits, motivations, and experiences, enhancing their understanding of the character's development.

2. Global Perspectives: In geography lessons, challenge students to write the name of a country and embellish it with images representing that nation's culture, landmarks, and history. This interdisciplinary approach enriches their knowledge of both digital technologies and world geography.

3. Storytelling through Design: Extend the activity by having students craft short narratives that explain their design choices. This integration of storytelling and digital creativity taps into the "DDDO" strand while honing communication skills.

Fostering Digital Creativity

The Canva activity showcased here serves as a powerful tool for nurturing digital creativity and literacy among students. By merging self-expression with digital technologies, educators can tap into the innate creativity of their learners while adhering to the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum's principles. As you adapt and implement this activity, you'll witness students not only mastering Canva but also developing skills that are vital for their journey into the digital workforce.