This post is sponsored by Swivl.
MirrorTalk has captured the attention of many educators on and off social media and for good reason. It’s a simple AI-powered tool designed to facilitate meaningful reflection in just 5 minutes a day. Emphasis on the word simple because it truly is.
Simple. So very simple.
And now, MirrorTalk is even simpler thanks to its new Library. It's packed full of pre-made reflection activities that get students talking about their work even faster.
(There's not much work to using MirrorTalk, but with the Example Activities, that tiny bit of work is pretty much already done for you.)
Skip right down to the "Get inspired and organized with MirrorTalk’s new Library!" section to learn about the Library and Example Activities.
Or stay right here to see what it looks like to use MirrorTalk ...
How I use MirrorTalk (and what it looks like)
Open MirrorTalk on a Chromebook, laptop or mobile device. Click "Start" to begin a reflection session.
1. Talk about your work.
MirrorTalk asks a simple starting question every time: "Tell me something you're working on." Students could tell it about ...
- a project they're trying to complete
- an essay they need to write
- a lesson they just learned during class
- something they need to remember better
- an experience in their lives they need to process
This isn't just for students, though. Teachers -- any human being, really! -- can talk through something they're working on with MirrorTalk.
My use: I've used MirrorTalk many times, telling it about my work with teachers and how I can develop new resources for them.
2. Choose a focus.
After MirrorTalk records what you've said, you choose a focus, which may include:
- 4F (facts, findings, feelings, future)
- Self-Authorship (the process of collecting, interpreting, analyzing, and reflecting)
- Collaboration (how you can work together with others to accomplish something)
- Problem Solver (walking the speaker through the problem-solving process)
- Creative Booster (asking questions in different directions to expand your thinking)
My use: I love using the Creative Booster. The variety of questions always elicits responses and thinking that I never expected.
3. Respond to prompts.
Here's the magic in MirrorTalk (in my opinion, anyway!). It analyzes your "Tell me something you're working on" response and asks you follow-up questions -- prompts -- to get you thinking about what you're learning.
This is HUGE for students.
We want them to revise writing. Ask follow-up questions about things they don't understand. Reflect on new learnings. But it's hard for teachers to provide individualized support for that to all of their students.
MirrorTalk walks them through this process -- with little to no prep by the teacher.
My use: I'll respond to prompts at my computer -- or I'll use the mobile app to do some reflection while driving (eyes on the road while I talk, of course!) or while waiting.
4. Analyze student responses.
After the prompts are complete, MirrorTalk analyzes the students' responses and provides a report, summarizing:
- The lesson (learning gaps and the hidden adaptive lessons that get students and teachers stuck)
- Developing understanding (how the student recalls, constructs meaning, and transforms them into thought)
- Zone of Proximal Development (how challenged students are)
- Mindset (MirrorTalk assesses several dimensions of mindset and gives feedback to improve it)
My use: I'll look at my analysis to see how MirrorTalk summarizes what I've said and to see where I can continue improving my own work.
Still need convincing?
Follow the steps below to try it out for yourself. Then come back here to learn more.
Don’t worry. I’ll wait.
How to get started with MirrorTalk:
1. Visit MirrorTalk using my special link to create an account -- and get a whole year of premium for free!
2. Follow the prompts to create your FREE account
3. Start your first reflection in your personal space by responding to the AI-generated prompts
How did that go? Pretty easy right?
Imagine it. You don't even have to think of your objective or a prompt. This gives THEM - your students! - the power to reflect on their learning.
Now imagine having students do this over and over throughout the school year, building an entire dashboard of insights into their own learning – all while teaching them the powerful skills of articulating their thoughts through reflection.
Photo Credit: Melisa Hayes via Twitter/X
But wait! There’s a lot more to Mirror than the MirrorTalk app.
There is a magical Mirror hardware device - which you can demo for free - that opens up the world of reflection to your students in ways you never thought possible. It’s like having your own reflection teacher’s aide in your classroom!
Pretty powerful stuff, huh?
So how can you get started using MirrorTalk with your students?
It’s easier than ever to get students reflecting with their library of “Example Activities”. These examples are as easy as “assign and go” or you can customize them to suit your students even better.
Get inspired and organized with MirrorTalk’s new Library!
MirrorTalk’s new Library is a game-changer for educators looking to integrate reflection seamlessly into their daily routines. This feature-rich tool not only helps you access and organize reflections but also offers a treasure trove of examples crafted by the MirrorTalk team and inspired by power users.
Key features of the Library
- Enhanced Reflection View: Easily find and reuse existing reflections across your Groups.
- Labeling System: Organize reflections by topic, unit, or your personal system.
- One-Click Assignment: Assign reflections directly from the Library.
- Shareable Links: Grab a link to share reflections via email, LMS, or any digital channel.
- The Library ensures that reflection becomes a part of every learning activity, for every student, every day.
Explore new possibilities with Examples!
To help teachers visualize how MirrorTalk can enhance their lesson plans and reflective practices, the platform introduces a variety of Example activities.
Highlights of Example Activities
- Ready-to-Use Reflections: Options for back to school, creativity, gratitude, and more.
- Customization: Easily adapt Examples to fit your curriculum, student population, or specific goals.
- Workspace Examples: Utilize multi-modal tools like whiteboard, recharge breathing exercises, and video recording (require a Mirror hardware which you can demo for free).
10 MirrorTalk Activities you can use in your class
1. Personalized Reflection
Ask students to reflect on any recent personal experience. It’s an easy way to get your students used to reflecting. They will begin reflecting and the magical MirrorTalk AI will do the rest!
When can you use this in class?
- Use this as a low stakes way to begin introducing your class to MirrorTalk.
- After returning from a long weekend or school break.
- On any individual project or assignment
2. Creative Booster
This is one of my favorites! The creative booster combines design thinking questions with creative boosting reflection prompts.
When can you use this in class?
- Before a project. Ask students to brainstorm their ideas with the help of AI.
- During a project or paper. This is a powerful time to reflect and plan ahead. Teach your students how to stop and adjust as they are working.
3. End of Day Reflection
Use this activity like an AI super powered exit ticket! Students will reflect on their day before going home. Now when families ask “what did you do at school today?” students can answer something other than “Nothing”.
When can you use this in class?
- Create a habit of having students reflect during the last five minutes of class.
- Assign as an after school task to reflect on the school day after getting home.
4. Responsible use of AI
Chatbots like ChatGPT are on the forefront of our minds when we think about the use of AI by students, often followed by questions about cheating. This reflection will help students or teachers think about the ways they are using AI and come up with goals for using AI responsibly.
When can you use this in class?
- Before having a discussion about using AI, ask students to reflect on their personal experiences using AI. You might be really surprised by how they are already using it.
- When introducing a tool that uses AI in your classroom, have students reflect on how this tool can be used both responsibly and irresponsibly.
The activities above all use the MirrorTalk app and there are many more activities that you can use immediately.
Now for the REALLY good stuff. Remember above when I mentioned the Magic Mirror hardware? Well these next six activities highlight the world of reflection that opens up once you have the Mirror hardware - hardware that you can get delivered to your door with a free demo.
Think of the hardware as an AI powered station for reflection activities. Ideal for small group work on projects and in learning centers with a built-in reflection component. These activities include step-by-step guided experiences that support collaboration, visual thinking, skill development and so much more! Just fill out the demo form and you’ll have one in your classroom at no cost within the week!
Now, for some of the activities you can do…
5. Body Melting Brain Break
Take a moment to recharge and refocus! Use the Mirror device to help students develop better self-awareness of their mental states. Through guided reflection, they can start taking control of their emotions and mental well-being, setting the stage for more effective learning.
How it works:
- Students do a brief “Body melting” exercise which helps them calm down and tune their attention to how they are feeling in various parts of their body.
- They are then prompted as a group to reflect on how it went and to generate insights that build their own self-awareness.
6. Creative Brainstorm
Unleash your creativity! Students will brainstorm all the imaginative ways a paperclip could be used. Through Mirror they will walk through a reflection about the brainstorming process and then expand their creative thinking even further.
How it works:
- Students are prompted to brainstorm as many uses as they can come up with in a few minutes on a piece of paper.
- Students are then prompted to review their ideas, select one from the group, draw it on the provided whiteboard and then reflect with a creative boost.
7. Would you rather?
Make choices and explain them! Students will play a game of “Would you rather?” with their classmates. Use Mirror to practice making decisions and explain their choices, enhancing their critical thinking and communication skills.
How it works:
- Students are prompted to choose from categories of activities they do in their free time. Each participant should pick the options they prefer in a few minutes' time.
- Students record their choices with explanations to each other, then reflect on the experience.
8. Foreign Language Practice
Navigate new languages! Students will partner up and brainstorm a local location. They will have a conversation in the language they’re studying, practicing asking for and giving directions. Afterwards, they will use Mirror to reflect on how the conversation went and what they learned.
How it works:
- Students are prompted to take a moment and plan out their directions-asking conversation. Then they record themselves having their conversation asking for directions.
- Students then are prompted together to reflect on how it went and to come up with learning goals that would make the conversation improve.
9. Pictionary
Draw and guess! Play a game of Pictionary with a partner. Students will practice their creativity by drawing a secret word and use communication skills by guessing their partner’s drawing. Afterward they will use MirrorTalk to reflect on the game and what they learned while playing.
How it works:
- Students are prompted to come up with a list of objects. Taking turns, they are prompted to draw an object from their list and have their partners guess the object.
- Students reflect together on how the game went and their communication styles.
10. Tallest Paper Tower
Build and reflect! This one is a longer and more involved design thinking exercise. Students will work with a small group to construct the tallest tower they can using only paper. Students will begin by learning about building structures through videos and images. Then they will plan and build their tower, before presenting it on video.
How it works:
- Students are given 20 pieces of paper and tape and watch a brief 45 second video introducing the activity.
- Students are then given some suggestions on how to create structure with paper and a few minutes to practice
- Then they are given 5 minutes to whiteboard out their tower designs and 10 minutes to build their tower.
MirrorTalk and the Mirror are not just another tool; it’s a transformative experience for both educators and students. By integrating MirrorTalk into your classroom, you’re empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey through consistent, meaningful reflection. The simplicity of the tool ensures that it can be seamlessly woven into your daily routine.
So, why wait? Start your journey with the Mirror today and witness the profound impact it can have on your students’ learning and self-awareness. Happy reflecting!
I think students and teachers being able to reflect on their work will help them better understand it and look for room to improve. MirrorTalk is something I will utilize and introduce in my future classes #UNKTE206
great content
SAMIRA-SEGC.