STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND CREATIVITY IN GRAPHICS EDITING: THE ROLE OF AI-ENABLED CANVA IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

There is a paucity of empirical studies comparing AI-enabled Canva with traditional tools like CorelDraw in improving students’ design knowledge and creativity in graphics editing.
Also, limited research exists on the influence of gender within AI-supported learning environments, particularly in the context of Nigerian universities. This study examined the effect of AI-enabled Canva on students’ design knowledge and creativity in graphics editing. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted, involving an experimental group taught using AI-enabled Canva and a control group taught using CorelDraw. The participants comprised undergraduate visual arts students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Design Knowledge Test (DKT), Creativity Test (CT), and practical graphic editing tasks to assess both cognitive understanding and creative performance. Pre-test and post-test measures were administered to determine changes in students’ outcomes following the instructional intervention. Data analysis was conducted using mean and standard deviation, while Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was employed to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance, controlling for pre-test scores. The results revealed a statistically significant effect of the instructional method on design knowledge, F(1, 62) = 19.03, p < .001, and creativity, F(1, 62) = 46.67, p < .001. The effect sizes indicated a large effect for design knowledge and a very strong effect for creativity. The findings indicate that AI-enabled Canva enhances students’ design knowledge, improves creative output, and supports effective learning in graphics editing. However, the study emphasizes the need for structured instructional guidance to prevent over-reliance on automated features and to ensure the development of fundamental design skills. The study concluded that AI-enabled Canva plays an important role in enhancing students’ design knowledge and creativity in graphics editing when compared to traditional instruction using CorelDraw. It was recommended that management of universities should integrate AI-enabled design tools such as Canva into the teaching and learning of graphics editing.