Adobe Spark

Image of the Adobe Spark logo.

Adobe Spark* is an online creative application and integrated storytelling platform. With the platform, users can create and customize all sorts of visuals to share knowledge in an interactive manner. Created on May 2016, the tool is comprised of three separate design applications: Post (graphic design), Page (web design), and Video. When designing in any of the three apps, changes are saved in an online cloud, which ensures users never lose their progress. In addition to the Adobe Spark website, each of the three different tools has corresponding mobile apps that make creating and editing projects much easier and able to be altered on the go. Adobe Spark can be a very useful and interesting learning tool for K-12 teachers. If you are struggling to get students excited about showing their understanding of a topic or presenting information, try Adobe Spark, where they can easily submerge themselves in storytelling!

*Adobe Spark is now called Creative Cloud Express (02/2022).

A screenshot from the Adobe Spark website that reads, "Create beautiful graphics, web pages, and video stories -- in minutes."

Tool Snapshot

Price Free & paid plans
Learning Constructionism
Ease of Use ★★★★✩
Privacy ★★★✩✩ 
Accessibility ★★★✩✩ 
Class Size One student per account
Login Yes
ISTE*S Knowledge Constructor, Creative communicator
COPPA/
FERPA		 Yes (with parental consent for COPPA); FERPA Statement

A screenshot of the Adobe Spark options: Post, Page, and Video.

Post: Adobe Spark Post is a great way for students to create attention-grabbing graphics that can be customized in a variety of ways to fit the needs of the post’s message.

Page: Adobe Spark Page is a great way for students to format their written work into an online, interactive, and visually appealing manner, as opposed to a plain old story on a document or blog.   

Video: With Adobe Spark Video, students are able to easily create videos for social media, that can be customized with text, images, icons, and narration.

Adobe Spark Overview Video

Adobe Spark and the SAMR model

Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s SAMR model offers a way to examine how technology has changed learning. As you strive to incorporate online tools into your classroom, we encourage you to use this model as an analytical tool to determine if Adobe Spark’s learning benefits fit your needs.

Here is an example of how Adobe Spark might fit within the SAMR model:

  • Substitution: Students use Adobe Spark in place of traditional storytelling techniques.
  • Augmentation: Videos, graphics, and multimedia posts enrich storytelling methods.
  • Modification: Stories made with Adobe Spark can be easily shared digitally online.
  • Redefinition: Spark allows enhanced customization and sharing with interested readers.  

Far too often, technology is used as a direct substitute for other low-tech tools (e.g., pencil and paper). While this can be beneficial (e.g., students develop their technology skills), we encourage you to think about ways that Adobe Spark can modify or redefine in-class learning

Learning Activities

Design: With all three Adobe Spark tools, students learn the different techniques of designing digital media. With trial and error, they are able to self-learn ways to create informative aesthetics.

Math: With the ability to create a story on any topic in Spark, students can create lessons and posts about mathematicians, math in the real world, and basic math skills tutorials, such as fractions.

History/English: Students can create historical timelines of real-life events or events depicted in a reading.  

Social Sharing/Interaction: With a shareable link at the conclusion of a project, students can share their work locally or on social media in order to find a global audience and interact with others interested in the topic.

Instructions: With the use of Adobe Spark Video, students are able to create integrated, step-by-step instructional videos with narration to practice the process and share with interested students.

A screenshot of the Adobe Page customization options.

Resources

How to use Adobe Spark

  1. Go to https://spark.adobe.com/
  2. Click “Start now for free” to register a user account
  3. Return to Adobe Spark and log in with a user account
  4. Click the “+” at the top of the screen to start a spark
  5. Select the type of spark that you want to create
    1. (e.g. post, page, or video)
  6. Customize your blank spark with an assortment of features
    1. Text, images, videos, photos, slideshows, etc. 
  7. Publish your finished spark for digital sharing
    1. Click the “Share ↗” icon on the top bar
    2. Click “Publish and share link” in the drop-down menu
    3. Specify a title, author, and category
    4. Click “Create link” at the bottom of the page
  8. Use the link to share the project with friends!

Research

Adobe Launches Spark With Premium Features for Every Student, Free of Charge (2018). Business Wire.

Iona, J. (2018). Adobe Spark: Media Creation Tool. School Librarian, (2), 83.

Lavery, K. (2018). Sync or Swim: Adobe Spark. Screen Education, (89), 100.

3 Ways Adobe Spark Promotes Creativity in the Classroom. (2018). Tech & Learning, (8), 10.