Beyond Templates: Teaching Creative Expression in Canva Code Through Vibe Coding

Outline

**1. Introduction and Context Setting (10 minutes)**

- Content: Brief introduction to presenters, overview of "Vibe Coding" concept and its alignment with ISTE standards
- Engagement: Quick visual showcase of student Vibe Coding examples to generate interest
- Process: Opening poll using audience devices to gauge familiarity with Canva Code (results displayed live)

**2. Demystifying Canva Code Fundamentals (15 minutes)**

- Content: Basic overview of Canva Code interface and capabilities
- Engagement: Live demonstration of simple coding techniques
- Process: Guided hands-on activity where participants follow along on their devices to create a simple animation

**3. From Templates to Creative Expression (20 minutes)**

- Content: Progression from using templates to creating original code designs
- Engagement: Showcase of student progression examples from basic to advanced
- Process: Small group breakouts (4-5 minutes) where participants discuss barriers to student creativity and potential solutions, followed by whole-group sharing

**4. Implementing Vibe Coding in the Classroom (15 minutes)**

- Content: Practical implementation strategies, assessment approaches, and differentiation techniques
- Engagement: Interactive case studies showing various classroom applications across grade levels and subjects
- Process: Digital gallery walk where participants explore sample lesson plans and student projects on shared digital space, adding comments/questions

**5. Fostering Inclusive Digital Expression (10 minutes)**

- Content: Strategies for creating inclusive environments that value diverse creative expressions
- Engagement: Discussion of how Vibe Coding supports diverse learning styles and cultural expressions
- Process: Think-Pair-Share activity on identifying opportunities to incorporate student cultural perspectives into coding projects

**6. Q&A and Resource Sharing (5 minutes)**

- Content: Address audience questions, share additional resources
- Engagement: Live Q&A with audience participation
- Process: Digital resource hub shared with participants containing tutorial videos, lesson plan templates, and assessment rubrics

Throughout the presentation, you'll employ these engagement tactics:

- Interactive polls at key transition points (minimum 3 times)
- Hands-on coding activities (minimum 2 distinct activities)
- Small group discussions with structured prompts (2-3 times)
- Visual showcases of student work with guided analysis
- Digital collaboration spaces for resource sharing and idea generation
- Regular think-pair-share moments to process new information

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to:

- Implement "Vibe Coding" techniques that empower students to express their unique creative voices through Canva Code
- Integrate coding projects as authentic assessment tools that demonstrate both technical understanding and creative problem-solving
- Create flexible implementation options ranging from quick warm-up activities to extended project-based learning
- Differentiate instruction based on student readiness and interest through Canva Code projects
- Foster an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates diverse creative expressions and approaches to digital literacy
- Align student coding activities with ISTE Standards for Empowered Learning, Innovative Design, Computational Thinking, Creative Communication, and Global Collaboration

Supporting research

https://learningdesignviews.educ.ubc.ca/2025/06/05/canva-code/

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-06-11-coding-creativity-and-the-new-digital-fluency

https://elementari.com/why-creative-coding/

https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.13302

https://timrodenbroeker.de/creative-coding-as-a-chance/