Connected Educators
Virtual PD Series with Kiker Learning
Spring 2026 Session Descriptions
Creativity in the Classroom and Beyond:
The Canva for Education Series
Join us for a four-part virtual journey designed to unlock your creative potential. Whether you are a design novice or a digital artist, this series will move you from basic navigation to empowering students as content creators, all while leveraging the premium features available in Canva for Education.
Sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.,
with the exception of the last session taking place on Tuesday, May 5th.
The deadline to register for three (3) Act 48 hours through Wisdomwhere for the Spring Series
is Sunday, March 22nd. After this date, you may still register for individual sessions without Act 48 hours.
with the exception of the last session taking place on Tuesday, May 5th.
The deadline to register for three (3) Act 48 hours through Wisdomwhere for the Spring Series
is Sunday, March 22nd. After this date, you may still register for individual sessions without Act 48 hours.
March 11th
Canva for Education 101: Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Dr. Josh Hoyt
Are you ready to say goodbye to boring worksheets and hello to vibrant visual learning? This introductory session is the perfect starting block. We will demystify the platform and ensure every educator understands the significant difference between a standard account and the powerful, free "Canva for Education" license. We will tour the interface, ensuring you feel comfortable navigating the dashboard, and explore the vast library of resources at your fingertips. By the end of this hour, you will have the confidence to start creating immediately.
Key Questions We'll Explore:
March 25th
Visuals that Speak: Graphic Design Essentials for the Classroom with Dr. Josh Hoyt
You don't need a degree in art to create stunning classroom materials! In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the "grammar" of graphic design. We will move beyond the basics to understand how sizing, layering, and scaling can transform a simple image into a powerful teaching tool. We will dive into the art of the infographic to help students visualize data and explore how to customize templates to fit your specific curriculum needs. Get ready to turn the mundane into the magnificent.
Key Skills We'll Master:
April 15th
Building Your Brand: School Spirit & Social Media Styles with Dr. Josh Hoyt
Consistency is key to communication. This session focuses on how to bring a cohesive look and feel to your classroom and your school community. We will discuss the importance of "branding"—not in a corporate sense, but in building a recognizable and professional identity for the Archdiocese. Learn how to create matching classroom themes, newsletters, and social media graphics that pop. We will explore how to communicate your school's story effectively to parents and the wider community through polished, professional visuals.
Key Topics We'll Explore:
Tuesday, May 5th
Empowering Student Creators: Projects, Presentations, and AI Magic with Dr. Josh Hoyt
In our final session, we flip the script and put the power in the hands of the students. We will move up Bloom’s Taxonomy from consumption to creation. Learn how to safely set up your digital classroom to allow students to demonstrate their understanding through dynamic mediums. We will look at "Canva Presentations" as a modern alternative to traditional slides, explore the world of audio with podcasting tools, and dip our toes into the future with Canva’s "Magic Studio" AI tools to spark student brainstorming and efficiency.
Key Strategies for the Classroom:
Canva for Education 101: Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Dr. Josh Hoyt
Are you ready to say goodbye to boring worksheets and hello to vibrant visual learning? This introductory session is the perfect starting block. We will demystify the platform and ensure every educator understands the significant difference between a standard account and the powerful, free "Canva for Education" license. We will tour the interface, ensuring you feel comfortable navigating the dashboard, and explore the vast library of resources at your fingertips. By the end of this hour, you will have the confidence to start creating immediately.
Key Questions We'll Explore:
- How do I set up and verify my Canva for Education account to unlock premium features for free?
- What are the essential tools within the user interface that every teacher needs to know?
- How can I efficiently search and organize resources to save time during lesson planning?
March 25th
Visuals that Speak: Graphic Design Essentials for the Classroom with Dr. Josh Hoyt
You don't need a degree in art to create stunning classroom materials! In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the "grammar" of graphic design. We will move beyond the basics to understand how sizing, layering, and scaling can transform a simple image into a powerful teaching tool. We will dive into the art of the infographic to help students visualize data and explore how to customize templates to fit your specific curriculum needs. Get ready to turn the mundane into the magnificent.
Key Skills We'll Master:
- Design Mechanics: Understanding layering, transparency, and scaling to create depth and focus in your designs.
- Template Customization: Strategies for taking existing Canva templates and tailoring them to your specific grade level and subject.
- Visual Literacy: Using infographics and photo editing to make complex information digestible and engaging for learners.
April 15th
Building Your Brand: School Spirit & Social Media Styles with Dr. Josh Hoyt
Consistency is key to communication. This session focuses on how to bring a cohesive look and feel to your classroom and your school community. We will discuss the importance of "branding"—not in a corporate sense, but in building a recognizable and professional identity for the Archdiocese. Learn how to create matching classroom themes, newsletters, and social media graphics that pop. We will explore how to communicate your school's story effectively to parents and the wider community through polished, professional visuals.
Key Topics We'll Explore:
- The Brand Kit: How to upload school logos, fonts, and color palettes to ensure every communication looks official and polished.
- Classroom Themes: Creating a welcoming, cohesive physical and digital environment with matching labels, banners, and slides.
- Social Media Mastery: Designing eye-catching posts for school events, announcements, and celebrations that stand out in the feed.
Tuesday, May 5th
Empowering Student Creators: Projects, Presentations, and AI Magic with Dr. Josh Hoyt
In our final session, we flip the script and put the power in the hands of the students. We will move up Bloom’s Taxonomy from consumption to creation. Learn how to safely set up your digital classroom to allow students to demonstrate their understanding through dynamic mediums. We will look at "Canva Presentations" as a modern alternative to traditional slides, explore the world of audio with podcasting tools, and dip our toes into the future with Canva’s "Magic Studio" AI tools to spark student brainstorming and efficiency.
Key Strategies for the Classroom:
- Classroom Management: How to invite students, assign work, and provide feedback directly within Canva.
- Multimodal Projects: Guiding students to create recordings, podcasts, and video presentations that showcase authentic voice.
- AI for Education: a responsible look at using Canva’s AI tools (Magic Write, Magic Media) to scaffold student writing and creative ideation