How to Use Graphic Design in the Classroom

Graphics programs can be used for many purposes.

Using graphic design in the classroom can make for an exciting lesson for students. You can create a terrific lesson plan that introduces students to the basics of graphic design and then leads them through the various levels of the design process. There are a range of graphics programs on the market that range in price and complexity. The choice of graphic programs you use depends on the age of your students and on your budget.

Things You'll Need

• Graphics program

Instructions

1. Open a graphic-design program you wish to use. For young children you may wish to use a very basic program like Paint, which comes with Microsoft Windows. For older students, such as those in high school, you may wish to use a more professional program like Photoshop or the freeware software GIMP (a program similar to Photoshop in its functions and tools). If you have never used the program, you should familiarize yourself with its functions before you attempt to teach your students what the program can do.

2. Teach your students about the graphic-program's tools until they have mastered them. Let your students experiment with the program, creating their own artwork. You can then assign lessons that incorporate various subjects, such as a pie chart or even a poster for the classroom on a subject like history or science. Encourage them to use graphics when presenting a paper or project.

3. Create your own graphics for learning materials in the classroom. Offer extra credit for students who wish to assist you in creating materials such as posters. Create your design using the tools available in the program. Most graphics programs have an array of tools to help you create whatever type of design you have in mind.

4. Open a new document in Photoshop to begin teaching your students. To do this go to "File" then select "Open." Next, choose a background for the type of design you have in mind. If you want a design project for beginners, make sure you assign a project that requires only basic tools. You can assign more complex projects as students become more skilled.

5. Start a new layer as you add new graphics to the design.Show students the layers panel early on in teaching Photoshop.Teaching them how to create a new layer when adding a photo or clip art will make it easier for them to edit their work.

6. Develop a design that students can get excited about. Consider a project related to music, movies or TV programs. You may even obtain public-domain images of movie stars and have students create a project using these images.Have them create a montage or change the images to make them funny or give them a different meaning. Have students use Photoshop to create promotional materials for an upcoming debate in a political science or history class.

References

• New York Times: Teaching a Child All About Computers