1. Canva
What is it?
Canva is a design and publishing platform that allows users to create fetching visual graphics, posters, infographics, logos and much more. Canva offers templates that can be easily adapted, as well as a library of media ready for use. Anything created can be downloaded in a selection of formats, ready for sharing. Canva supports users to access the full features of the platform via lessons in the design school.
21st Century skills employed:
Communication, collaboration, creativity.
How can it be used?
Canva can be used in any subject to create posters, concept maps, infographics of key summarised information, designing marketing campaigns and much more.
2. Powtoon
What is it?
Powtoon is an online video creation platform that allows users to create short videos using pre-existing templates, cartoon characters, backgrounds, videos, sounds and much more. Powtoon is easy for beginners to learn and provides webinars and tutorials to further support users.
21st Century skills employed:
Creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication.
How can it be used?
Powtoon can be used for any KLA for the creation of informative / explanatory videos, it can be used in English to explore visual literacy elements; it can be used in Commerce / Business Studies to explore design features and marketing. Powtoon also offers suggestions on the use of the platform in the classroom here.
3. Adobe Creative Cloud
What is it?
The Adobe Creative Cloud (ACC) provides over 20 apps for computers and mobile devices which include well known Adobe software, such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, as well as a number of other apps (Adobe, 2021). Some of the cool things that can be done in the ACC include the planning, design, creation and enjoyment of photographs, video, graphics and illustrations which are well supported by numerous Adobe tutorials. NSW public school students can also enjoy this platform for free.
21st Century skills employed:
Creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, design thinking, problem solving,
How can it be used?
There are too many ways to use the many apps available on this platform to list them all; however, some cool ideas are available here and here.
