Let's Get Creative with Markup

We already know how powerful and creative an image can be, especially when framed and captured by our students. The creativity doesn’t have to stop there though. Using Markup and Apple Pencil (or even just your finger 👍🏻), we can take students' images to a whole new level.

For those who haven't explored Markup yet, it is a group of creative tools found within the Photos app, that can be used to annotate photos, PDFs and other documents on the iPad. I am the first to admit, that my primary use for Markup when it was first released was to sign my kid's digital school notes with ease, and hey! What's not to love about that? 🙌🏻

But now? Markup is a go-to creative toolset for students in my classroom and is one of the first ideas I share with teachers when exploring creativity on iPad. I just LOVE the simplicity and ease of access of Markup. Everything you need is right there in the Photos app.

One project I love to complete with my students is to Markup a selfie, creating artwork to display and share that is as unique and special as they are. This video explores the features of Markup and steps you through the process to create a unique portrait, as well as sharing some other creative Markup projects to use across the curriculum, and with all age groups.

Why not use Markup to:

• Go on a shape or angle hunt. Take a photo of an outdoor environment and use the Markup tools to identify shapes or angles.
• Have students edit their work. Take a photo of student work and have them use the Markup tools to edit.
• Identify language features in a text. Take a photo of some text and use the highlighter tool in Markup to identify particular features.
• Create a new character for a story. Take a photo of an illustration within a book and use the Markup tools to draw in a new character.
• Design the perfect habitat. Take a photo of an outdoor space, then use the Markup tools to add in all the features that living things need to survive. Why not use the text tool to select an Emoji of the animal you are creating the habitat for to add to the image?

To learn more about how you can get creative with Markup in the classroom, be sure to download Everyone Can Create: Drawing from the Apple Book Store.

You might also be interested in this guide, which steps you through all the features and tips for using Markup.

I would love to hear how you have used Markup with your students.

Add your ideas in the comments 🙌🏻