Adobe has unveiled the latest update to Adobe Express for Education, a classroom-safe tool that leverages responsible generative AI to boost student engagement and communication. Available for free to K-12 teachers and students worldwide, it incorporates Adobe's top-notch creativity technologies to enhance learning outcomes. Key improvements in this update include Firefly-powered features that enable students to create templates for posters, flyers, brochures, and unique coloring pages using simple text prompts.
"Adobe Express for Education is built by and with teachers, with AI that is designed to be safe for the classroom", said Mala Sharma, VP and general manager for creators and education in Adobe's Digital Media Business. "For more than three decades, Adobe has been creating technologies to help students succeed in the classroom and in the job market, and we're excited to bring our responsible AI approach to this next chapter".
Adobe asserts that Adobe Express for Education is reaching millions of students and teachers worldwide. It has enabled over 150,000 teacher courses and 200,000 certifications, supported by an extensive library of high-quality templates and activities aligned with core and responsible AI curricula. An Adobe survey of K-12 educators revealed that teachers incorporating creative activities in the classroom have observed an 82% increase in student engagement. Adobe Express for Education offers industry-leading creative tools that enhance the effectiveness and engagement of learning. The new features include improved presentations that allow users to integrate music, videos, animations, and data charts.
Students can now animate characters' faces and bodies, incorporating these animations into Adobe Express presentations and videos. An upcoming iPad experience will enable students and teachers to use Firefly generative AI, Quick Actions, presentations, and charts on iPads. Video projects can also be enhanced with templates, animations, and automatic captions in over 100 languages.
Adobe Express for Education is provided free to K-12 students and teachers, with additional support to help educators integrate the tool, including AI features, into their curriculum. Professional development resources, badging, and certifications are also available. The comprehensive library of K-12 resources offers subject-specific guidance, templates, and activities that teach key visual creativity and communication skills across various subjects.
The new AI features in Adobe Express for Education are designed to foster student creativity and critical thinking. These features include appropriate result filters, a privacy policy ensuring "your data is your data," and governance controls that allow administrators to manage AI feature settings. The curriculum also incorporates responsible AI and media literacy components, developed in collaboration with education experts as part of the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative.
Several new features are coming soon, including the ability for students to create their own coloring pages. Most of the other new features are already accessible to teachers, students, administrators, schools, and districts globally. Administrators have extra setup options, such as a self-service wizard for deploying Adobe Express across entire districts. The tool can be smoothly integrated into existing portals and LMS systems like Clever, ClassLink, Canvas, Google Classroom, and Schoology.
