Know Your Why!: Google Autodraw - Visual Design and Sketchnoting Resource

I always try to remember it’s not about the tech, it’s how you use it. This being said, sometimes learning about a new tool or resource will open the door to bigger discussions about, creativity, pedagogy, and learning. It is ok to sometimes start with a tool and then explore how or why you might use it to enhance teaching and learning.

Today I am asking everyone to explore Google Autodraw as a tool to start thinking about creative visual activities and notes for all students.

I am a huge believer that sketching or drawing is a great way to make learning stick. Paper and pen is still one of my favorite ways to create sketchnotes, memes, and infographics. But sometimes you need or want to go digital. When this happens, Google Autodraw has become the go-to resource for my students when we are creating quick digital reflections, sketchnotes, memes, infographics, or other visuals. It is also quite a bit of fun to watch students work hard to create a sketch that matches the graphic they have in mind.

Google Autodraw is a digital whiteboard with a bit of an awesome AI surprise.

Google Autodraw has all the power of a digital whiteboard, with one huge advantage. The Autodraw AI will attempt to match sketches with actual graphics created by graphic designers from around the world. This allows users to blend their own notes and artwork with Autodraw's vast library of graphics.

I love that Google Autodraw levels the playing field. Students who are not very comfortable sharing their drawings love Autodraw. It is also a great tool for my students who love to sketch. They often won't even use autodraw and just create their sketches using the whiteboard tools .

If you are looking for an idea on how to use this for students, here is a sample vocabulary activity I've used multiple times.

Google Autodraw Vocabulary Activity

Addtional Resources

Curious to know more about sketchnoting and visual design? Here are a few great books and resources that might help you get started.

If you are looking for additional sketchnoting and visual design resources, be sure to visit these posts.