Canva

Canva is a website in which you can create many different types of documents in a fun way, like posters, lesson plans, schedules, and even images like Twitter headers!  It is a powerful tool for getting information out there in a much more creative way than just a plain document with text.  It also is a lot more fun to make documents with since it is so versatile and easy to use.  Whether you use a preexisting template or create something out of nothing (start from scratch), Canva can be adapted to any skill level! It is a must-have tool for teachers in their teaching toolbox. 

Canva fits into the Danielson framework for teaching mainly in domains 2 and 3, Classroom Environment and Instruction, respectively.  For domain 2, organizing physical space and establishing a culture of learning specifically are shown through this tool because teachers can put up posters they have made with Canva around their classroom that not only decorates the physical space in their rooms, but also creates a positive learning environment through educational posters and motivational posters.  For domain 3, Canva can be used for engaging students in learning and using assessment in instruction by having students create posters on subjects they have already learned and encouraging them to show what they know.  It would be a good way to assess their skills without formally testing them.  

I can see myself using this in the classroom through assigning students different tasks using Canva.  They could create posters about themselves as a getting to know you project, or maybe they could create a flyer for a classroom event that parents are invited to, or they could even type their class schedules into a schedule template to personalize it and have a fun reminder of their classes to keep with them instead of just having regular paper schedules that look intimidating at first glance to middle schoolers.  Canva has so much versatility that the creative opportunities really are endless, so I could see myself utilizing it a lot for assignments.  

Canva relates to the 4Cs of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity and the ISTE standards for students.  Students can think critically and creatively on the subject they’re creating a poster for (like how to present a language arts idea through the poster) while working together (collaborating) and finding a way to communicate their ideas effectively.  As for the ISTE standards, students can be good digital citizens, knowledge constructors, innovative designers, and creative communicators by using Canva.  They have to know how to use Canva wisely since it is an internet tool and create positive things since things on the internet will remain on the internet forever in some form, they need to be able to utilize Canva as a useful resource and put their knowledge into projects on it, and they need to create projects on Canva in new and fun ways to engage their peers and those looking at their work.