Microlearning Project & Reflection

Canva.com Pro is an online graphic design platform that can be used to create social media graphics, posters, documents, infographics, and so much more. I’ve been using Canva for several months; I do have the paid Pro version with a monthly subscription that allows me access to all of their stock photos, elements, videos etc. without having to provide attribution, however I still make a practice of saving each item with “_canva.com_” just to be honest.   I also use Microsoft Office PowerPoint for editing graphics, creating backgrounds, and exporting as jpegs and even mp4 files when working with recorded video. Many times I’ll begin a creative product in one or the other of these two applications and then import to the other depending on the effect I’m looking for, for the finished product. While designing the Learning Theories chart, I began first in Canva.com Pro. I wanted a unique background effect for the chart, and I was able to export one from Canva and import into the Slide Master in the PowerPoint application. 

Constructivism and Experiential learning were two Learning Theories that supported me while I learned to use both Canva and Microsoft Office PowerPoint. 

Constructivism was an effective approach in learning both applications because I was placed at the center of the learning experience. I had to use my knowledge of navigational terms and features and make connections to where and how to access those features in the program in order to build and understanding to use the features with accuracy and consistency. As an active and social participant in my own learning, I sought out “how to” information from several sources including two colleagues in my instructional design cohort, YouTube videos, On-line reading resources, and I joined a couple of Facebook groups that focus on the applications, and followed along on a handful of Zoom tutorials offered by other instructors. In this way, I was able to construct knowledge, and interpret new ideas and design new material based on my own personal experiences.   

Experiential Learning was also an effective approach because I learned how to use each application by “doing” through experience and I continue to learn through discovery and exploration of all the features the applications have to offer. I’ve been able to set my own learning pace, and try out different elements, and share my experiences with colleagues in my cohort who are also digging into these same platforms. In this way, our learning is much like a Flipped Classroom, as we learn independently, then come together to share and demonstrate what we have learned, holding each other accountable for providing a new feature to the group. As a result we are inspiring each other to think critically and re-assess our own created products, applying new features that we’ve learned from each other. 

One of the biggest Ah Ha moments I encountered while using both Canva and PowerPoint was when I discovered that I could download mp4 directly from Canva, import into PPT and then add layers on a PPT slide with text and animation. This was a game changer for screen-casting, adding movement to slides to increase engagement, decrease cognitive load and make the presentation visually appealing, not to mention very professional. (Especially after editing in Premiere Pro!)

Mindset To Learn © 2021 by Johanna Musser is licensed under CC BY 4.0