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Canva Classroom

A Guide to Canva Classroom This guide details setup for those new to Canva Classroom, including those moving from Padlet or Trello.

Overview Canva for Education is a secure-by-design tool that combines the collaborative "wall" features of Padlet with the organizational power of Trello—all within a private classroom ecosystem.

How to Access Canva for Education​

  1. Go to https://www.canva.com/
  2. Login using your UPrep account.

Setting Up Your Class​

  1. Click the Classroom on the left column.
  2. Under "Classes", create a class (e.g., "9th Grade Computer Science"). You can also scroll down to find your existing class if you already made one.
  3. Click the "Add People" button in your class and select "Get invite link" to share with your students.

This creates a "walled garden" where only your invited students can see and interact with class materials.

Creating Whiteboards (The Padlet/Trello Alternative)​

If you are used to Padlet’s "walls" or Trello’s "boards," you will want to use Canva Whiteboards.

  1. On the homepage, click the "Create" icon.
  2. To mimic Padlet: Search templates for "Whiteboard" or "Brainstorm Whiteboard"
  3. Design your whiteboard from the template using prompts, spaces for student sticky notes, or whatever other design works for you.
  4. Sticky Note Hack: Once on a board, simply press the S key on your keyboard to instantly create a sticky note.

Collaboration: Reacting and Commenting​

To make the board interactive while keeping students accountable:

  • Reacting (Like/Emoji): Click on any element or sticky note. Select the Emoji icon from the floating toolbar. You can see a count of how many students "liked" or "voted" for an idea.

  • Commenting: Right-click an element and select "Comment." This opens a thread where students can give feedback.

  • Accountability: Unlike Padlet, student names and avatars are attached to every reaction and comment. There is no anonymous posting, ensuring a safer digital environment.

Sharing with the Class​

  1. In the top right, click "Assign."
  2. Under "Assign method," select "Assign to Students in Canva" and find your class
  3. Students can now jump onto the board and start collaborating in real-time.