According to the 2024 Canva Visual Economy Report, a significant 92% of business leaders expect employees in non-design roles to possess design skills, highlighting the increasing importance of visual communication in the modern workforce.
This trend was a focal point at the Canva Education Summit, organized by Canva Philippines held in June. The summit brought together educators, students, and advocates to explore the transformative power of visual communication in education.
“Today’s students have grown up with technology at their fingertips, and it’s shaped how they process information,” said Yani Hornilla-Donato, Country Manager, Canva Philippines. “At Canva Philippines, we have seen firsthand how visual communication enables creativity, collaboration, and enriches learning.”
Donato emphasized that introducing visual communication in classrooms not only makes learning more engaging but also nurtures vital skills like creativity and collaboration, crucial for the evolving job market.
Canva for Education
As part of its efforts to prepare students for future careers, Canva Philippines has expanded its “Canva for Education” initiative. This program provides K-12 schools, teachers, and students free access to Canva’s extensive suite of design tools and resources. Launched in 2019, Canva for Education now supports over 600,000 schools and 70 million students and teachers worldwide.
To further support educators, Canva has partnered with Rakso ED, a local technology solutions provider. Rakso ED will train teachers across the Philippines to effectively integrate Canva’s tools into their classrooms, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
Canva also introduced “Teacher Essentials,” a free certification course aimed at equipping educators with the skills necessary to utilize Canva effectively. The summit also underscored the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, with Canva’s Magic Studio AI tools playing a central role. These tools, including Magic Write and Magic Animate, assist teachers in streamlining lesson planning and creating dynamic content.
“We deeply believe in the power of AI as an enabler in the classroom,” said Donato. “It’s a valuable tool to enhance learning experiences, empower students, and support teachers as they meet the growing demands of their profession.”