Canva Expands to 70 Million Education Users with New AI Tools and Teacher Certification Course

Canva Expands to 70 Million Education Users with New AI Tools and Teacher Certification Course
Image credit: Canva website

Canva has dramatically expanded its global education user base, adding 40 million new users in the past year to reach a total of 70 million teachers and students. This growth is largely due to the integration of AI tools and the increasing use of visual communication in educational institutions such as the University of California, New York City Public Schools, and the New South Wales Department of Education.

In response to the rising demand, Canva launched a Teacher Certification course aimed at enhancing educators' skills for the visual economy. This free, 60-minute course is designed to upskill 30 million educators in digital literacy through video tutorials and hands-on activities, allowing teachers to learn at their own pace. Upon completion, teachers receive an official certification, equipping them with the tools to transform lesson planning, design, and delivery through visual communication, fostering creativity and digital literacy among students.

Canva for education with AI tools
Image credit: Canva website

Canva's presence now extends to over 640,000 schools worldwide, with the education community creating over 1 billion designs in the past year alone. In October, Canva introduced AI-powered educational tools at scale, leading to a 50% increase in usage by teachers and a 107% increase by students.

A recent survey by Canva of 1,000 K-12 teachers in the US found that 92% see AI as beneficial for addressing workplace challenges, with many open to exploring further AI applications in education. Jason Wilmot, Head of Education at Canva, emphasized the role of AI in this growth, stating:

“AI is fueling both our growth within education and the urgency to build skills for tomorrow’s workforce. Schools and teachers are on the front lines of creating a safe learning environment for students as well as preparing them with skills needed to compete in a global economy with AI as a colleague. As partners in this work, we’re answering the demand for teachers to continue upskilling their use of Canva through the new certification. Prepared teachers are better positioned to help students thrive.”