Using Scribus with children in the classroom

[WilkoatWestfield]

I am a UK primary school teacher and intending to use Scribus in the classroom to cover the very simple basics of DTP.

I'm following an accredited curriculum resource that many UK schools use from the National Centre for Computing Education called TeachComputing.

A unit of work introducing the basics of desk top publishing for Year 3 pupils (that's 7 and 8 year olds) which was based around Microsoft Publisher has just been replaced with a unit now using Canva (free education accounts are available to schools).

I would much rather use Scribus and wondered if anyone here is aware of any resources already specifically made for children / younger users, or has any experience if doing so and any issues I should be aware of.

Thank you all!

[a.l.e]

personally, i fear that DTP is too "boring" (or, better, not enough fun) for 7-8 years olds.
and scribus is one of the least fun tools in DTP.

i would rather create pages with inkscape and / or krita and finally merge them in a single pdf (with dedicated tools or scribus).

or physically merge the artwork on paper and then scan it to create a pdf.

i think that teaching DTP with scribus can be ok, if your goal is to teach them how to follow "strict" rules... but that is not really fun and will only work with pupils that do not look for fun.

[WilkoatWestfield]

Thank you for your input - really appreciated.

I like the recommendation of Inkscape - we also do a unit on Vector Graphics and this looks ideal.

I do completely agree that Scribus won't be as "entertaining" or exciting as other options. To some extent this is the appeal. I am focusing on the learning along the way, not the merits of the final output - as to produce something really polished on Scribus would take a lot of work, but dead easy in Canva or Adobe Express.

However, I have found young children are easily pulled in by the "fun" bits of design programs and the result is often then can use a particular app well as as an end user but don't necessarily have any explicit understanding or knowledge of skills behind what they are doing. They can produce something great quite easily, but they have been spoon-fed all the components. Once they are older, they'll be messing about with snapchat filters and whatever other nonsense will exist by the time they are teenagers, so there is plenty of time for that.

I want children to understand the very basics of layout - text boxes, image boxes, background colours, changing fonts and sizes. I find many web-based options are often too distracting for young children with a focus around things like templates and preset colour palettes and premade designs as starting points to just edit the text. I know it means the lessons might look 25 years out of date but these basics are often missed out and children are just at the perils of what the latest app does or doesn't do. 

Does this make sense to anyone?