Lesson Plan: Secondary Education Digital Portfolio

Lesson Title: Creating Digital Portfolios using Canva

Grade Level: 7th-8th
Subject: Visual Arts
Timeframe: Full Class Length

Learning Goals
Learning Goals Goal 1 Assessment
Students will create end-of-year digital portfolios using Canva to The teacher/student will use a rubric to assess the
Content Specific Goals: showcase their artwork and reflect on their creative process success of creating their digital portfolio.
through-out the school year.
Technology-based Goals (NETS-S)
Empowered Learner: 1.1b Customized Learning Environments
1.1c Feedback to Improve Practice
1.1d Technology Operations
Digital Citizen: 1.2a Digital Footprint
1.2b Online Behavior
1.2d Digital Privacy
Knowledge Constructor: 1.3a Curate Information
Innovative Designer: 1.4a Design Process
Computational Thinker: 1.5b Data sets
Creative Communicator: 1.6a Choose Platforms or Tools
1.6d Customize the Message
Global Collaborator: 1.7a Multiple Viewpoints
Other Goals:
Canva software | Devices: Tablet/Laptop or iPad | Students
Materials (tech and non-tech):
works of art

Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview: Learning Goals:
Understand the purpose and significance of digital art portfolios.
Create a visually appealing and organized digital portfolio using Canva.
Reflect on and articulate their artistic growth through descriptions and artist statements.
Introduction to Digital Portfolios:
In this session, students will learn about the importance of digital portfolios in showcasing their artistic work. By
discussing the concept and showing examples, students will gain a clear understanding of the learning goals and why
digital portfolios are essential for artists.
Creating the Portfolio:
In the hands-on session, students will apply their knowledge by using Canva to create their digital portfolios. They will
choose templates that align with their artistic style and begin adding their artwork along with titles, dates, and
reflectation. This activity directly supports the goal of creating a well-organized portfolio that visually represents their
growth as artists.
Finalizing and Presenting the Portfolio:
This session focuses on refining the portfolios, adding introductory sections, and enhancing the visual appeal.
Students will learn to export their portfolios as PDFs. In the presentation part of the lesson, students will practice
articulating their thoughts and explaining the significance of their selected works, thus supporting the goal of reflecting
on their artistic journey.
Technology:
Creating Visual Portfolios:
Canva provides students with a user-friendly platform to design visually appealing portfolios. It allows them to use
templates, customize layouts, and incorporate digital elements to enhance the presentation of their artwork.
Digital Reflection:
Through Canva, students can include text descriptions and artist statements alongside their artwork. This technology
enables them to express their thoughts and reflect on their creative process effectively.
Presentation Skills:
Using technology to create and present digital portfolios not only allows students to develop technical skills but also
helps them practice digital communication, an essential skill in the modern world.
Accessibility and Sharing:
Technology facilitates the easy sharing and distribution of digital portfolios, enabling students to showcase their work
to a wider audience, including peers, parents, and potentially even the art community.
 TEKS: (4) Critical evaluation and response. The student responds to and analyzes artworks of self and others,
contributing to the development of the lifelong skills of making informed judgments and reasoned
evaluations. The student is expected to:
(A) create written or oral responses to artwork using appropriate art vocabulary;
(B) analyze original artworks using a method of critique such as describing the artwork,
analyzing the way it is organized, interpreting the artist's intention, and evaluating the
the success of the artwork;
(C) develop a portfolio;
Procedures
Teacher Procedures Students Procedures Teacher Outline
Day 1: Introduction to Digital 1. **Introduction (5 minutes)**
Portfolios
- Greet the class and provide a brief overview of
today's lesson.
-Emphasize the importance of digital portfolios in
the art world and their role in showcasing artistic
**Duration: 45 minutes** growth and accomplishments.
1. Begin the lesson by discussing the
importance of digital portfolios. Explain
that digital portfolios are a way to 2. **View Examples (10 minutes)**
showcase and reflect on their artistic
growth and accomplishments.
- Show students examples of digital art portfolios to
2. Show examples of digital art portfolios inspire them.
to inspire students. Discuss what - Facilitate a brief discussion about what elements
elements make a portfolio visually make these portfolios visually appealing and
appealing and informative. informative.
3. Demonstrate how to sign up for 3. **Canva Overview (10 minutes)**
Canva accounts (if they don't have one)
and provide a brief overview of Canva's
features for those who are not familiar
with it.
Day 1: 4. **Homework Assignment (10 minutes)**
- Assign homework: Ask students to collect digital
4. Assign homework: Ask students to collect digital images of images of their artwork and prepare them for
their artwork (photographs or scans) and upload them to Canva upload to Canva before the next class.
before the next class. - Answer any questions and clarify expectations.
Day 2: Creating the Portfolio Day 2: **Lesson 2: Creating the Portfolio**
Have students add their artwork to their portfolio, one piece at a 1. **Review (5 minutes)**
time. They should include the following for each piece: - Begin the lesson by reviewing the concept of
- The title of the artwork digital portfolios and their purpose in the art world.
- The date it was created
**Duration: 45 minutes** - A brief description or reflection on the piece

Discuss the importance of organizing their portfolio logically,

such as by medium, style, or chronological order.

1. Review the concept of a digital 2. **Create Canva Presentation (10 minutes)**

portfolio and the purpose it serves in the - Instruct students to log in to Canva and create a
art world. new presentation.
2. Instruct students to log in to Canva - Guide them on how to choose a suitable template
and create a new presentation. Explain that complements their art style.
that they will use Canva's presentation
feature to create their digital portfolio.
3. Guide students through the process 3. **Adding Artwork (10 minutes)**
of selecting a suitable template for their
portfolio. Encourage them to choose a
design that complements their art style.
4. Have students begin adding their artwork to their portfolio, one - Have students begin adding their artwork to the
piece at a time. They should include the following for each piece: portfolio. Remind them to include the title, date of
- The title of the artwork creation, and a brief description or reflection for
- The date it was created each piece.
- A brief description or reflection on the piece

5. Discuss the importance of organizing their portfolio logically,

such as by medium, style, or chronological order.

Day 3: Finalizing and Presenting the

4. **Organization (10 minutes)**
Portfolio
1. Review the progress students have - Discuss the importance of organizing their
made on their digital portfolios. portfolio logically, such as by medium, style, or
Encourage them to refine their chronological order.
descriptions and make sure everything - Provide individual assistance as needed.
is organized cohesively.
2. Discuss the importance of adding an **Lesson 3: Finalizing and Presenting the
introductory section to their portfolio, Portfolio**
which might include a brief artist
statement or a personal introduction.
3. Teach students how to add additional
elements to their portfolios, such as text,
1. **Review (5 minutes)**
backgrounds, and page transitions to
enhance the visual appeal.
4. Instruct students on how to save and - Start by reviewing the progress students have
export their Canva presentations as made in creating their digital portfolios.
PDF files, which will serve as their final
digital portfolios.
5. Have students present their portfolios to the class. Each
2. **Introduction and Additional Elements (15
student should briefly discuss the portfolio's structure and the
minutes)**
significance of their selected works.
- Instruct students to add an introductory section to
Assessment: their portfolio, which may include an artist
statement or personal introduction.
- Assess students' digital portfolios based on the organization, visual appeal, and quality of reflections. - Teach them how to add additional elements like
text, backgrounds, and page transitions for visual
appeal.
- Evaluate their ability to present and discuss their portfolios, highlighting their understanding of the
3. **Save and Export (5 minutes)**
importance of artistic growth and the purpose of a portfolio.
- Show students how to save and export their
Extension Activity: Canva presentations as PDF files, which will serve
as their final digital portfolios.
Encourage students to share their digital portfolios with their parents, peers, or even submit them for school
4. **Presentation (10 minutes)**
exhibitions or contests. This can help them gain confidence and recognition for their creative talents.
- Encourage students to present their portfolios to
the class.
- Each student should briefly discuss the portfolio's
structure and the significance of their selected
works.
5. **Closure (5 minutes)**
- Summarize the lesson and provide any additional
instructions or clarifications.
- Assign any homework or tasks for the next
lesson, if applicable.
Throughout the day, be prepared to answer
questions, provide guidance, and support students
as they work on their digital portfolios. Encourage
creativity and critical thinking during the creation
and presentation phases.