Miro
Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that enables teams to work together remotely and visually. It provides a digital canvas where users can create, organize, and share ideas, information, and projects in real-time, fostering effective teamwork and brainstorming sessions.
Miro, formerly known as RealtimeBoard, is a digital collaboration platform designed to facilitate remote and distributed team communication and project management. As an online workspace for innovation, it is developed by "RealtimeBoard, Inc.".
Where is the tool used?
Miro is widely used in various industries and sectors, including business, education, design, product development, project management, and more. It is particularly valuable for distributed teams, remote work setups, and organizations seeking to enhance their collaborative processes.
How to use the tool?
Miro offers an intuitive interface with a wide range of features like sticky notes, shapes, templates, and integrations with other productivity tools. Users can drag and drop elements onto the canvas, collaborate with team members in real-time, and add comments and annotations to visual assets.
Its interactive canvas allows participants to contribute and collaborate in real-time, making it effective for snowball techniques where participants refer others to join the activity.
The tool supports seamless integration with popular platforms like Google Drive, Trello, and Slack, streamlining workflows further.
Specifics for SEL contexts
Miro offers versatile features to enhance various aspects of synchronous electronic learning:
Interactive Virtual Classrooms: With Miro's collaborative whiteboard, educators can create engaging and interactive virtual classrooms. Students can actively participate in lessons, contribute ideas, and collaborate on projects, fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
Real-time Group Activities and Discussions: Miro enables real-time collaboration among students, facilitating group activities and discussions. Whether it's brainstorming ideas, problem-solving, or peer review sessions, Miro provides a shared space for students to collaborate synchronously and exchange insights.
Collaborative Project Planning and Management: Educators can leverage Miro for project-based learning, allowing students to plan and manage their projects collaboratively. Visualizing project timelines, organizing tasks, and assigning responsibilities become seamless, enhancing students' project management skills.
Learning activities
Miro offers a versatile platform that empowers learners and educators to engage in various interactive and collaborative learning activities:
- Group Projects and Collaborations: Students can collaborate seamlessly on group projects using Miro's digital canvas. They can collectively brainstorm ideas, allocate tasks, and work together in real-time, promoting teamwork and fostering a sense of shared ownership in the learning process.
- Brainstorming Sessions: Miro's intuitive tools facilitate dynamic brainstorming sessions. Learners can unleash their creativity, generate ideas, and capture insights visually, encouraging a free flow of thoughts and sparking innovative solutions to challenges.
- Concept Mapping and Organizing Information Visually: Miro allows learners to create visual concept maps to connect ideas and concepts. By organizing information in a visually coherent manner, students can better understand complex topics and establish meaningful relationships between different elements.
- Interactive Presentations: With Miro's interactive capabilities, educators can create captivating presentations. Learners can actively engage with the content, participate in discussions, and collaborate on shared materials, transforming passive learning into an interactive and engaging experience.
By supporting these learning activities, Miro fosters active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative skills, making it an invaluable tool for modern and effective education.
Accessibility and technical specifics
Type of tool:
- Miro offers both free and premium plans, making it accessible to users with different budget constraints. It is not an open-source platform. (To learn more https://miro.com/pricing/ )
Materials needed:
- Miro is a web-based tool, so users only need a device (such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone) with internet access and a modern web browser to use it.
Accessibility:
Miro provides dedicated desktop and mobile applications for enhanced accessibility across devices. These applications can be downloaded from app stores, allowing users to access and work on their projects conveniently from their preferred devices. Trainers interested in using Miro can find comprehensive video tutorials and instructions on the official Miro website, YouTube channels, and other online learning platforms. These resources cover various aspects of the platform, from basic navigation to advanced features, helping trainers leverage Miro effectively in their teaching and training activities.
Links to videos and instructions
Help center: https://help.miro.com/hc/en-us
Miro Youtube Channel | Tutorial Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/@MiroHQ/playlists
9