Opinion: Teaching Evolves With AI, Need for Visual Literacy

As visual communication becomes the norm in the workplace and artificial intelligence (AI) turns from a nice-to-have tool to a necessity and expectation, it’s clear that our classrooms need to adjust — and we all know that change isn’t easy. The encouraging news is that educators are up for the challenge. As they recognize the benefits of integrating visual communication and AI into education — enhancing student learning, improving teaching experiences, and reducing administrative burdens — there is no doubt that this will drive even more exciting advancements in the field.

I had an opportunity to lead a panel on this topic at SXSW EDU last month. These are the four key things we discussed.

GROWING VISUAL LITERACY IS A NECESSITY

In an era dominated by visual communication, understanding, creating, and conveying messages through visuals is foundational. These skills are becoming a necessity for students in every stage of their learning journey — not only to help them embrace their creativity and express themselves but to prepare them for the workforce.

As Canva found in its 2023 Visual Economy Report, visuals are rapidly becoming the most impactful form of communication in the workplace, with 90 percent of global business leaders believing visual communication enhances efficiency and 89 percent seeing improved collaboration. About two-thirds (61 percent) of global business leaders also say they expect workers in non-design roles to have “extensive design knowledge,” including the ability to create new graphics and presentations from scratch.

Fortunately, educators are already harnessing these tools to equip students with essential skills. Not only are they preparing them for future career demands; they’re also fostering student engagement and enhancing creativity in the process.

AI IS A CATALYST FOR PERSONALIZED LEARNING AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

AI has emerged as a real catalyst for personalized learning and heightened student engagement. Leveraging this technology in the classroom gives us the opportunity to move beyond one-size-fits-all teaching methods and truly maximize the potential of the next generation.

Individualized learning is increasingly essential in nurturing students’ diverse needs, promoting holistic growth, and cultivating a deeper sense of engagement. During our SXSW EDU panel, Kelly Gibson, a high school English language arts teacher, shared how she used Canva’s Text-to-Image tool in her class to help students visualize characters in the novels they were reading to spark discussions about character attributes.

Providing students with access to visual and AI tools isn’t just about keeping up with the latest technology; it’s about giving them the means to innovate and bring their imaginations to life.

AI IS HELPING TEACHERS IMPROVE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY

Educators are constantly balancing multiple tasks, from meticulously planning lessons to crafting visually engaging materials for their students. The time constraints educators face can often hinder their ability to dedicate sufficient attention to each aspect of their role.

AI can automate and simplify routine tasks, allowing teachers to devote more time and energy to meaningful classroom engagement. For example, with tools like ChatGPT and Magic Write, teachers can enter simple prompts to generate first drafts of lesson plans, get inspiration for a unique classroom activity, or adapt complex content to different reading levels and learning styles.


With AI handling the burden of administrative tasks, teachers can focus on building meaningful relationships with students.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS

There’s no doubt AI will make teachers’ lives easier; however, our AI in Education survey underscored the need for tech support for teachers. Educators are highly interested in integrating AI into their teaching methods, with 78 percent showing enthusiasm for incorporating AI in classrooms to enhance lessons and reduce administrative tasks. However, despite this eagerness, a significant knowledge gap exists, with 93 percent of educators not knowing where to begin with AI tools.

We stand at an incredibly exciting and pivotal time in education, as visual communication and AI establish themselves as crucial tools in the workplace. Empowering educators with the necessary tools and guidance is essential — not only for enhancing their own teaching methods but also for equipping students with the skills essential for success in their future.

Jason Wilmot is head of public sector at Canva.

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