Tech Tips for Workplace Learning: Canva, PowerPoint, and Zoom
There are a lot of tools, updates, and new features being released right now. It can feel like a lot to keep up with — especially when your focus is not just learning the tool, but using it to support real people, real learning, and real work.
Over the past little while, I’ve been creating short videos exploring practical features in Canva, PowerPoint, and Zoom. These are small, practical adjustments — but they can significantly improve clarity, accessibility, and engagement in your learning materials.
Below is a curated collection of a few that stand out, along with when and why they matter.
1. Canva Accessibility Tip: Fix PDF Reading Order
Why this matters:
Accessibility is not an add-on — it is part of the design process.
If the reading order in a PDF is not set correctly, screen readers may interpret the content in a way that does not make sense. This impacts usability and inclusion.
This is a simple step that is often missed.
📌 Watch the video:
👉 Canva Accessibility Hot Tip
What this tells us
Small technical details can have a big impact on the learner experience. Accessibility does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.
2. Canva Layers Feature: Dynamic Visuals
Why this matters:
When you are creating visuals for learning or marketing, how text and images are layered can make a big difference in how your message is understood.
Canva’s Magic Layers feature allows you to:
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Precisely select and adjust individual elements
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Control how text and images are stacked and interact
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Create more polished, intentional visual designs
📌 Watch the video:
👉 New Canva Magic Feature
What this tells us
Efficiency in tools supports better thinking. When the tool is easier to use, you can focus more on the learning experience — not just the mechanics.
3. PowerPoint AI Image Generator (Hidden Copilot Feature)
👉 Why this matters:
Creating visuals can take time — especially when you are building learning materials.
PowerPoint now allows you to generate AI images directly inside your slides using Copilot. This can:
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Speed up development
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Support idea visualization
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Reduce reliance on external tools
📌 Watch the video:
👉 PowerPoint Hidden Image Generator
What this tells us
AI can support content creation — but it still requires judgment. The tool helps with speed, but we still need to design with purpose.
4. Zoom Hand Gestures: Making Interaction Easier
👉 Why this matters:
Engagement in virtual sessions does not happen automatically.
Small features — like gesture-based reactions — can reduce friction and make it easier for participants to respond in real time.
📌 Watch the video:
👉 The power of talking with your hands in Zoom
What this tells us
Sometimes it is not about adding more — it is about making interaction easier and more natural.
5. Zoom Updates and Features: Supporting Better Virtual Sessions
Why this matters:
Zoom continues to evolve, and many features are underused.
Understanding what is available can help you:
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Facilitate more effectively
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Improve participant experience
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Design more interactive sessions
📌 Watch the video:
👉 2026 Zoom Meeting Tour
What this tells us
The tool is only part of the experience — but knowing how to use it well gives you more options as a facilitator.
Bonus Tips:
Working with Zoom Recordings: Clean up, Downloading, and Deleting.
If you are recording sessions for training, content, client/team meetings or learner review, here is a quick workflow for downloading and cleaning up your Zoom recordings, including deleting old recordings, so they are easier to manage.
📌 Watch the videos:
👉 Part One Download and Clean Up Zoom Recordings
👉 Part Two Deleting Zoom Recordings
“Tools can make things easier — but it is how we use them that makes learning meaningful.”
Final Thoughts: Tools Support the Experience — They Are Not the Experience
There will always be new tools, features, and updates.
What matters most is:
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How we use them
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Why we use them
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And who we are designing for
As learning and development professionals, facilitators, and business owners, our role is not just to keep up with tools — but to use them intentionally to support meaningful learning experiences.
Highlighted Video & Podcast
Future-Proofing Learning and Development:
Coming Soon: deeper insights on learning design, facilitation, and creating meaningful learning experiences — along with reflections from real-world practice and what continues to matter in learning and development.
At Regier Education Inc., I’m committed to helping trainers, facilitators, and organizations create inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning experiences—whether in live sessions or self-directed online courses.
If you’re exploring how people-first, inclusive learning can better support your learners or teams, I’d love to continue the conversation.
Patricia Regier
Founder, Regier Education Inc.
Learning Experience and Instructional Designer | Facilitator | Consultant | Author of The Online Shift: 101 Pro Tips for Facilitators, Workplace Trainers & Speakers
https://www.regiereducation.com
In case you missed these articles, videos, and More:
These are the kinds of practical tools I continue to explore and share across my videos and resources.
- Lego Lessons that apply to workplace training and collaboration
- Hot Topics 2025 and What That Tells Us for 2026
- Future of L&D (I4PL reflections) , CAUCE reflections,
- Leveraging YouTube,
- Using AI as a writing partner,
- The Neurodiverse Workplace; Don’t Hear What I Didn’t Say
- Accessible Learning Design,
Additionally, I typically post a video weekly, and they may be expanded into blog posts and articles. To view the latest tutorials and pro tips, subscribe or check out my YouTube channel.
Plus, you can take our Learning Types Quiz
These insights continue to shape how I approach learning design — and I’m always open to conversations about what people-first learning looks like in practice.
About the Author
Patricia Regier, MEd is the Online Expert who’s built a career on the belief that training and online learning doesn’t have to be boring. As Owner of Regier Education Inc. and with a Master of Adult Education, Patricia is known for making her audience feel empowered, engaged, courageous and confident.
Her debut book and keynote, The Online Shift teaches newcomers to the online space and seasoned professionals alike how to optimize their online presence and maximize engagement. She’s tried, tested and refined using the latest behavioral science, research and psychology to make sure your next online experience is a hit!
To request more information about learning and development opportunities or book Patricia as a speaker, facilitator, consultant, or instructional designer email [email protected]
Images’ rights and license to use via Canva Pro account.
