Canva and ChatGPT for feedback and academic support

Providing practical and personalised feedback is vital to promoting meaningful learning. However, it can be a challenge when students are only focused on grades and do not use the feedback to improve their work. Tools like Canva and ChatGPT can make feedback more accessible and engaging. These platforms allow comments to be converted into more visual and interactive formats, helping students reflect on feedback.

Canva for interactive visual feedback

Canva is an intuitive design platform that allows teachers to create visual feedback in various formats. Its extensive library includes graphic resources, templates, fonts, videos, audio and it has recently integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its Magic Studio section, which expands on creation and customisation potential. You can use it to generate images and transform text to speech to make feedback visually interesting. Here are the ways I use it to deliver feedback:

• Custom videos: combine feedback with animated backgrounds and voice narration
• Infographics: summarise strengths, areas for improvement, practical tips and additional resources in a schematic format
• Dynamic presentations: use charts, diagrams and graphics to explain key points
• Digital posters and flashcards: integrate personalised feedback in a dynamic format
• Gamified questionnaires: create interactive features that provide instant feedback
• Comics: create stories using images and text.

I enjoy using infographics to deliver feedback because, instead of overwhelming students with lengthy comments, I can summarise my comments in a more visually engaging way to provide more focused, precise and structured guidance. In addition, using images and colours makes it more engaging and helps students better understand and remember key points. This makes them more likely to apply the feedback to their future work. 

It is also very easy to share Canva materials using a public link. You can also download the files in various formats such as PNG, JPG or PDF.

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ChatGPT for instant and personalised support

ChatGPT allows teachers to create customised virtual assistants, known as GPTs, to support students’ learning needs. No programming skills are required; teachers just need to define the task, interaction style and any limitations. You can create custom GPTs in the paid version of ChatGPT through the “Explore GPTs” section.

ChatGPT can also act as a specialist in a subject or even as a historical figure, enhancing student engagement and understanding. ChatGPT can enhance learning in several ways, including:

• Draft reviewers: providing feedback on grammar, formatting and clarity
• Test preparation: generating key questions based on class material
• Language practice: supporting grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
• Explanation of complex concepts: breaking down complex topics into simpler terms.

In class, we use a custom GPT to help students review their homework drafts. To create this GPT, we crafted a structured prompt, specifying its role, tone and scope. The prompt included activity instructions, the evaluation rubric, relevant academic references and response style guidelines. This set-up ensured constructive feedback that was aligned with learning objectives, helping students refine their work, improve arguments and make more informed decisions. The impact has been remarkable: students produce higher-quality work, ask more specific questions and develop greater independence.

Teachers without access to custom GPTs can still benefit from ChatGPT by designing detailed prompts to guide students in assignments, discussions and study sessions. They can also explore GPTs created by other users, which are available in both free and paid accounts. These assistants offer tools for academic writing, scientific research and prompt design, as well as subject-specific aids from organisations like Khan Academy, which supports learning in maths, science and the humanities. Accessing these tools is simple: teachers can visit the “Explore GPTs” section in the ChatGPT platform, search for relevant assistants and integrate them into their teaching practices to enrich the learning experience.

Transforming feedback and learning

Tools like Canva and ChatGPT are changing how teachers provide feedback and support students. Canva allows you to create visual and personalised feedback that encourages reflection and more meaningful learning. Meanwhile, customised GPTs provide instant and personalised support, helping students to become more autonomous and knowledgeable. 

Mariana Elizondo and Eunice Costilla are digital education professors at Monterrey Institute of Technology.

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