Designing with Canva

Overview

This 45-minute lesson introduces Year 2 students to Canva, focusing on the basics of creating simple digital designs such as posters and presentations. The lesson emphasises understanding layout, colour, and text, encouraging students to experiment creatively while learning foundational digital technology skills aligned with the New South Wales (NSW) Curriculum.

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Curriculum Links

NSW Curriculum - Technologies (Digital Technologies)

• Content Descriptions:
  • ACTDIP006: Use a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) to solve simple problems.
  • ACTDIP007: Create simple digital solutions by collecting, exploring and organising data.
  • ACTDIP008: Use a range of digital systems and software safely to create and communicate ideas and information collaboratively.
• Achievement Standard (Years 1 and 2):
  By the end of Year 2, students show how simple digital solutions meet a need for known users. They use the basic features of common digital tools to create, share and collaborate following agreed behaviours .

Related General Capabilities from NSW Syllabus

• ICT Capability: Use digital tools to create and communicate ideas.
• Personal and Social Capability: Work cooperatively and share digital content responsibly.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Navigate basic features of Canva to create a simple poster or presentation slide.
• Understand and apply simple principles of design: layout, colour, and text.
• Save and share their digital creations responsibly.

These objectives address the NSW curriculum requirement for students to "use the basic features of common digital tools to create, locate and share content, and collaborate, following agreed behaviours" .

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Resources Needed

• Computer or tablet for each student (or pair, depending on availability)
• Internet access to access Canva
• Pre-prepared Canva class account/login or individual student accounts
• Projector/display to demonstrate Canva features
• Worksheets for design planning (optional)
• A simple rubric or checklist for self/peer-assessment

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Lesson Structure

Time	Activity	Detail & Teacher Notes
0–5 mins	Introduction & Engagement	- Briefly discuss what design means and show examples of posters and presentations. - Ask students what they notice about layout, colour and text in examples.
5–10 mins	Introduction to Canva Interface	- Teacher demonstrates on projector: - How to log in (if necessary) - Selecting poster/presentation templates - Basic navigation: adding and moving text boxes, images, shapes - Colour palette and font choices
10–25 mins	Hands-on Creation: Simple Poster or Slide	- Students create a simple poster or presentation slide about a given topic (e.g., 'My Favourite Animal' or 'Our Classroom Rules'). - Encourage them to: - Choose a layout and background colour - Add at least one text box with a title - Add a relevant image or shape - Teacher circulates and assists, prompting design questions like: "Have you chosen colours that work well together?" "Is your text easy to read?"
25–35 mins	Peer Sharing & Feedback	- Students pair up and share their designs. - Use simple language to give positive feedback about layout, colour and text. - (Optional) Use a simple feedback chart with smiley faces for easy reflection.
35–40 mins	Reflection & Discussion	- Whole-class discussion: - What did they enjoy? - What was challenging? - What did they learn about design? - Highlight importance of digital creativity and collaboration.
40–45 mins	Save & Exit / Clean Up	- Guide students to save their work. - Close Canva and shut down devices properly. - Remind students about respectful use of computers and digital content.

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Assessment

Formative:

• Teacher observes students’ ability to navigate Canva and apply layout, colour and text principles during the creation phase.
• Peer feedback during sharing helps reinforce learning.
• Reflective discussion gauges students’ understanding and enjoyment.

Success Criteria:

• Created a digital poster or slide using Canva’s tools.
• Demonstrated an understanding of simple design elements: layout, colour, and text legibility.
• Shared their work positively with a peer.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support:
  Provide pre-selected templates with fewer editable elements, one-on-one assistance for students needing help navigating Canva.
• Extension:
  Students can add more text boxes or explore additional Canva features such as inserting icons or changing font styles.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Using descriptive language for text in their designs.
• Visual Arts: Exploring colour choices and composition.
• Personal Development: Encouraging collaboration and respectful feedback.

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Teacher Tips & Wow Factor

• Use a projector and screen recording to replay tasks for visual reinforcement.
• Incorporate gamified challenges such as “Best Use of Colour” or “Most Readable Text” to motivate students.
• Celebrate creativity by creating a digital gallery of student designs for the school website or classroom display board.
• Emphasise digital citizenship by discussing safe sharing and respect for others’ work.

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This lesson integrates practical use of a contemporary digital design tool fostering early digital literacy, creativity, and collaboration in line with NSW curriculum requirements. It prepares students progressively for more complex digital technology projects in subsequent lessons of the "Tech Explorers: Create & Code" unit.