When I first introduced Adobe Express into my undergraduate writing courses, I wasn’t just looking for a new tool, I was continuing a journey for me as an educator: further reimagining what it means to write and to communicate in a digitally saturated world. As a professor of digital rhetoric and strategic director of generative AI faculty initiatives at Indiana University, I’ve long believed that writing is more than text. It’s multimodal. It’s visual. It’s experiential. Adobe Express is a perfect fit in this pursuit, as not only does it have a low-learning curve, but it opens an array of critical and creative pathways for students to represent their thinking to the world.
Why I Introduced Adobe Express
My goal is to build better learning experiences—not just better lectures. In my first-year course, Projects in Digital Literacy and Composition, students begin by exploring meaningful places on campus. They write informed narratives, then transform those into expressive web pages using Adobe Express. The tool’s low learning curve allows students to layer text, image, video, and links—making their work feel polished, purposeful, and public-facing.
In another course, students research topics like mental health on college campuses and build digital monuments using Express. These projects combine research, narrative, and design—helping students see how writing can live beyond the page.
Adobe Express became a gateway—not just for students to explore digital literacy, but for faculty across our system to rethink how they teach, assess, and engage students.
Scaffolding Creativity and Building Confidence
We start small. A “Think–Pair–Make–Share” activity introduces students to Express through image creation. From there, they collaborate on group web pages, gradually building toward long-form digital narratives. By the end of week two, students are already comfortable with image and web creation—ready to focus on critical thinking and storytelling.
This scaffolding is intentional. Students move from low-stakes creative exercises to more complex multimodal assignments. They learn to think rhetorically about design, audience, and platform—skills that are essential in today’s communication landscape.
By the end of week two, students are already comfortable with image and web creation—ready to focus on critical thinking and storytelling.
What I’ve Seen in My Classroom
Students engage more deeply when they know their work will be seen. They take pride in their creations, and they begin using Express in other classes, clubs, and even personal projects. Faculty across IU have noticed—and reached out to learn more. That ripple effect is powerful.
Express has also changed how I assess. I use audio and video feedback to comment on student work, leveraging the visual markers in their projects to guide discussion. It’s faster, more authentic, and more impactful. Students appreciate the personalized feedback and feel more connected to the learning process.
It’s faster, more authentic, and more impactful. Students appreciate the personalized feedback and feel more connected to the learning process.
Faculty Development and Systemwide Impact
Beyond the classroom, I lead systemwide faculty development initiatives focused on digital creativity and generative AI. Adobe Express plays a central role. In our Digital Gardener faculty fellows program, we introduce Express through hands-on activities. Faculty create their own web pages, explore ethical design practices, and begin imagining how these tools can transform their teaching.
Many faculty fellows adopt Express within weeks —often starting with one assignment and quickly expanding. The tool’s ease of use and creative potential make it a catalyst for broader digital innovation.
We've seen faculty use Express not only for multimedia essays, but for things like replacing discussion board activities with infographic creation exercises or replacing standard "explainer" assignments with animation videos using Animate Characters in Express.
Discussion Boards to Informational Brochures | Dr. Terry Hebert, IU South Bend
Animation (using Animate Characters) by Cassie, Cheryl, Kristy, and Mackenzie | Dr. Mary Bourke, IU Kokomo
Advice for Other Educators
Start small. Try one assignment. Create a web page yourself to understand the student experience. You don’t need to be an expert—just curious. Express is a gateway to digital innovation. Once faculty see its potential, they begin exploring podcasts, videos, infographics, and more.
Focus on scaffolding. Build confidence through low-stakes activities. Encourage reflection and rationale. And most importantly, keep creativity and accessibility at the core.
Adobe Express isn’t just a tool—it’s a mindset shift. It helps students and faculty alike move from passive consumption to active creation. And in doing so, it transforms classrooms into spaces of exploration, dialogue, and digital fluency.
See how you can bring creativity into your class with Adobe Express Learning Kits
Adobe Express Learning Kits are free, ready‑to‑use resources designed to help faculty embed creativity, storytelling, and digital literacy into coursework. Get started quickly and introduce Adobe Express in any discipline—whether you teach media, communications, business, or the sciences.
Each Learning Kit includes:
- Customizable LMS modules
- Sample assignment prompts
- Rubrics
- Product tutorials
- Ready-to-use templates
- And much more!
About Dr. Justin Hodgson
Justin Hodgson, Ph.D. is an award-winning educator and digital transformation leader at Indiana University. He currently serves as the Strategic Director for Generative AI Faculty Initiatives and as Director for the Digital Gardener faculty development programs in IU’s UITS Learning technologies division. Dr. Hodgson is also an Associate Professor of Digital Rhetoric in the Department of English at IU Bloomington and author of Post-Digital Rhetoric and the New Aesthetic. His scholarship has appeared in both print and multimedia formats, including journals such as Educause Review, Enculturation, Kairos, Pre/Text, and Composition Studies. At IU, Dr. Hodgson teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, with focuses ranging from multimedia composition and digital literacy to rhetoric in games and sports. Outside of IU, he is known for his work as a higher education consultant specializing in digital innovation and faculty development.
Connect with Dr. Justin Hodgson on LinkedIn
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