Course Description
Canva for Education offers a dynamic suite of design tools that empower educators and students to create visually compelling content across all subject areas. Participants in this course will learn how to use Canva’s intuitive design tools and AI features to create instructional resources such as presentations, videos, websites, spreadsheets, and code. Whether starting from scratch or using Canva’s library of templates and lesson plans, educators will walk away with practical skills to differentiate instruction, boost engagement, and bring creative design in the classroom. This hands-on course will focus on integrating Canva into real-world teaching practice, building confidence with tools that amplify learning.
Dates: December 2 – 16, 2025
Mode: Synchronous/online in Google Meet with additional asynchronous assignments specified in syllabus.
Synchronous session dates:
- December 2, 4 - 6 p.m.
- December 9, 4 - 6 p.m.
- December 16, 4 - 6 p.m.
Synchronous: 6 hours Asynchronous: 9 hours Total contact hours: 15 hours
PDPs
This course contains content needed to fulfill the DESE Individual Professional Development plan requirement of at least 15 PDPs in a content area of training related to renewal of licensure. Fitchburg State University’s Center for Professional Studies is a DESE-approved PDP provider.
Cost: 15 PDPs: $275
Course Number: PRDV 6293P CRN: 13902 (15 PDPs)
Cost: 1 graduate credit: $347 (additional work required)
Course Number: PRDV 6293 CRN: 13901 (1 Grad Credit)
Registration
*IMPORTANT*: The CRN and Course Number will be needed when you register so please make sure to write down this information. Follow the directions listed on the registration site.
Registration deadline is Nov. 24, 2025
Please Note:
- Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to pay for your course. The registration may take 24-48 hours to process.
- You are required to pay within 48 hours of receiving your course payment email. Not paying for a course does not constitute a withdrawal from the course. You may withdraw prior to the start of a course. Once a course starts, you are not eligible for a refund.
Additional Information
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Use Canva for Education confidently to design, organize, and share instructional materials for various classroom needs.
- Create visually effective learning content, including presentations, videos, websites, spreadsheets, whiteboard, quizzes and code.
- Leverage Canva’s AI-powered tools to supplement human intelligence to collaboratively design content and support personalized instruction.
- Apply foundational visual design principles (e.g. contrast, accessibility) to improve clarity and student comprehension.
- Differentiate instruction using Canva templates and customizations to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
- Design student-centered projects that promote creativity, collaboration, and real-world communication through Canva.
- Integrate Canva into real-world teaching practice, aligning its use with learning objectives, curriculum goals, and authentic assessment.
Emailed out on November 25
Mary Marrotta and Craig Scheil
Mary Marrotta is an Educational Technology Consultant and Instructional Technologist. Mary is also a Google Certified Trainer, as well as an adjunct instructor for Fitchburg State University. She has been working for the Nashoba Regional School District for 24 years. Mary has degrees from Fitchburg State in Science, Elementary and Special Education, as well as an M.Ed. from Lesley University in Technology Education and a Certificate in Distance Learning from Northeastern.
Craig Sheil is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, is a Digital Learning Specialist at a public high school in New Hampshire. He has been in the education field for a total of 18 years, with the first 8 years teaching high school mathematics. He has helped integrate Google Workspace for Education and a 1-to-1 Chromebook program at his high school. Craig can be found presenting at conferences, giving professional development to school districts and co-teaching Google Workspace for Education graduate courses. Craig loves teaching and more importantly, loves learning. He has a bachelor’s degree from Keene State in Mathematics and an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Fitchburg State University.