New research: Adobe Express for Education sparks student engagement and creativity

As teachers return to the classroom this fall, the questions they face are among the most pressing in education today:

• How do we re-engage students who've tuned out or fallen behind?
• How do we teach essential skills like creativity, communication, and collaboration while still meeting standards?
• How do we integrate AI into the classroom as a support for student thinking, rather than a substitute for it?

Earlier this year, Adobe's Creativity and AI in Education report illustrated how creativity and AI literacy are now essential skills for the future — not just for artists or tech-savvy students, but for every learner in every K–12 and higher education classroom.

This new study, Improving Student Outcomes with Adobe Express for Education, examines the impact and importance of selecting the right tools — those that are specifically designed for the classroom, with learning outcomes at the forefront.

A closer look at Adobe Express for Education in real classrooms

In spring 2025, Leanlab Education partnered with ten K–12 teachers across core subjects like English, science, math, and social studies. Throughout the study, each teacher implemented Adobe Express Guided Activities — ready-made projects that include a template, video tutorial, and step-by-step instructions for students. These activities are designed to help students demonstrate their learning creatively through posters, videos, infographics, and other multimedia formats. Many of the activities are enhanced with generative AI.

The study centered on a key question: Does using Adobe Express for Education, especially Guided Activities, lead to better student engagement and deeper learning?

The answer across the board was yes. Here's what that looked like in action:

1. Increased student engagement — even from those who usually disengage

Nine out of ten teachers agreed that their students were more engaged using Adobe Express for Education than with traditional classwork. But engagement meant more than just participation — it meant pride, ownership, and willingness to share.

In one case, a teacher described how a usually disengaged student dragged a friend down the school hallway just to show off his printed project:

Why the shift? The instructional design behind Adobe Express for Education and Guided Activities — which combines visuals, voice, and generative AI — engages students who may not feel confident with traditional formats, such as essays or worksheets. The platform provides them with tools to create work that looks polished and personal, boosting their confidence and motivation.

2. Stronger creative thinking and more authentic self-expression

Each of the teachers agreed that Adobe Express for Education better supports student creativity. And eight of the ten strongly agreed that the Guided Activities helped students express their ideas in new ways.

One key reason for these improved outcomes is that AI-assisted creative tools remove common barriers. Students don't have to be skilled in drawing or formatting to communicate an idea visually. They can focus on the thinking, not just the crafting.

3. Improved communication and collaboration skills

Nine out of ten teachers reported that Guided Activities were more effective than traditional assignments in helping students develop communication skills. And every teacher observed meaningful peer collaboration — not just shared answers, but genuine back-and-forth discussions about ideas.

In one classroom, students collaborated on revising generative AI prompts and using descriptive language to convey their intended message more effectively. They shared feedback, considered deeper meanings, and clarified word choices, which is precisely the kind of metacognitive conversation that deepens learning.

This outcome may stem from the fact that, in addition to having rich collaboration features, Adobe Express for Education projects are also inherently shareable and discussion-worthy. Students care about what their peers think — and with creative outputs, they're motivated to make their ideas clear and compelling.

4. Deeper understanding of academic content

Before the study, only six out of ten teachers believed that AI tools could help students demonstrate a deep understanding of the material. After using Adobe Express for Education, however, eight out of ten said that Guided Activities were more effective than traditional tools at supporting comprehension.

Why the change? Teachers noted that creative expression often revealed insights to students that they wouldn't have seen in written work alone. This was especially true for students who are shy, multilingual, or less confident with writing.

In several cases, students used the activities to connect course content to real-world ideas. For example, they created memes that bridged history and current events or designed infographics to communicate research findings visually.

5. Better preparation for future learning and life

Nine out of ten teachers said Adobe Express for Education helped prepare students for future academic and career paths. In addition to creative thinking and AI literacy skills, teachers observed students applying essential soft skills such as time management, teamwork, iteration, and audience awareness — all critical for success beyond the classroom.

In one math and robotics class, for instance, students used AI to generate images of themselves in their future careers. Unlike previous years, when students used stock images of firefighters or engineers, this time they created images that actually looked like them. This made the learning experience feel more relevant and worthwhile.

Some teachers noted that even students who typically don't identify as creative found success and confidence through the platform, a key shift in promoting equity and access to skill development and a wide variety of potential careers.

While the study primarily focused on student outcomes, it also revealed notable benefits for teachers. Many appreciated how the activities supported standards while requiring minimal prep, helped them facilitate rather than lecture, and allowed them to learn new things about their students' interests and abilities.

Reimagining what's possible with creativity and AI

This study offers a compelling glimpse into what's possible when creativity, curriculum, and technology come together with care and intention. At a time when many classrooms are still recovering from disconnection, this kind of work shows a way forward — one that's grounded in the joy of creativity, relevant and real-world activities, and student voice.

It also reframes the role of generative AI in education. Rather than replacing student thinking, tools like Adobe Express for Education can accelerate it. They can give students the structure, support, and spark they need to take their learning to the next level with free tools designed to bring safe and responsible AI into the classroom.

As schools look to the future, the lesson is clear: Creativity isn't a supplement or "nice to have." It's an essential part of student learning that lifts all boats. When students are given meaningful opportunities to express what they know — and when teachers have the tools to make that happen — the outcomes go beyond test scores. They show up in confidence, curiosity, and connection.

And that's the kind of learning that lasts.