Is there a connection between SEL and assessment in your learning environment? Supporting social-emotional learning (SEL) goals and checking for understanding during the school day might be easier than you think. With MirrorTalk, you can provide an online space for students to reflect, build knowledge, and give you actionable information that drives future instruction.
Today on the blog, I’m excited to share MirrorTalk and how you can use this unique platform in your classroom. I’ve had the chance to go behind the scenes, experience the platform from a student viewpoint, and explore the teacher dashboard. If you are looking for a way to integrate SEL and assessment this year, you’ll certainly want to check out MirrorTalk.
Let’s explore the power of reflection in learning and what’s possible with MirrorTalk!
Integrating SEL and Assessment
MirrorTalk is an innovative platform combining social and emotional learning (SEL) and assessment. This powerful integration allows educators to support SEL goals while gathering actionable assessment data at the same time. By uniting these two essential practices, MirrorTalk maximizes its impact, making it easier for teachers to nurture students’ well-being and track their progress simultaneously.
How does MirrorTalk work? As you can see in the video below, it is easy to get started with MirrorTalk (this link lets you sign up for a free 60-day trial). First, you create your free account and set up the groups for the classes you teach. You’ll want to indicate your students’ grade level so MirrorTalk can help you generate developmentally appropriate feedback and reflection questions for students.
MirrorTalk is ready to use on any internet-enabled device (Chromebooks, iOS, Android). It also has a customized hardware station for reflection called Mirror, which is worth checking out. You can sign up for a free, guided demo of Mirror here. Students can opt to use MirrorTalk on a device they already have access to, like a Chromebook, tablet, or smartphone, or try out this special device designed by the MirrorTalk team.
The Power of Reflection in Learning
Reflection itself is the integration of cognitive and social-emotional development. MirrorTalk just embodies that idea. You can create a reflection once your groups are set up in MirrorTalk. You’ll start by indicating the objective of the lesson. You can either record your voice describing what you want students to accomplish or type it in. MirrorTalk will then generate reflection questions for you to review. You can make any tweaks or changes before sharing them with students.
Where does AI come into play? MirrorTalk uses generative AI to create the prompts students see as they move through the reflection process. You are in the driver’s seat and able to customize the focus of the reflection (like Collaboration, Creativity Booster or Retrieval), the minimum response time for students, and whether or not you want students to have the option to appear on video as they share. The AI suggests the prompts based on the information you share, and you can review and edit them before sharing them with your class.
Reflection is often missing in many lesson plans, yet it’s vital for deep learning. MirrorTalk places self-reflection at the heart of the learning process. It encourages students to actively construct knowledge and meaning from their experiences. This approach deepens their understanding and enhances personal growth, making learning more meaningful and impactful. You might want to try it out for your personal reflection process. I’ve used it to help me unpack my goals as a writer, and it’s a fun and informative experience as you self-reflect as an adult learner.
Supporting Your SEL and Assessment Goals
MirrorTalk takes a fresh approach by shifting the focus from traditional assessments to reflective practices. While conventional assessments often just measure existing knowledge, MirrorTalk emphasizes reflection. As a classroom teacher, it was hard to talk to every student after a lesson to understand how they felt about a new concept. Including reflection, time can help students construct a deeper understanding of their experiences.
By integrating reflection into every step of the learning journey, MirrorTalk transforms passive measurement into an active, student-centered approach. Students continually build and refine their understanding rather than simply showcasing what they already know. It’s a lifelong learning strategy they can use both inside and outside the classroom.
Getting Started and a Sneak Peek
Ready to try out MirrorTalk? Use this link to try MirrorTalk for free for 60 days. You can jump in right away, set up a class, and invite students to reflect on their learning.
And coming soon: Later this month a new feature from MirrorTalk will go live for users. MirrorTalk’s latest feature allows teachers to get even more specific with their assessments. Educators can now enter their own questions or prompts, along with the relevant learning standards, to automatically assess students’ spoken answers. This approach empowers learners to construct understanding through reflection before tackling assessment questions.
Find more posts featuring SEL & Assessment Tips:
- Innovative Assessment How to Incorporate Video Essays in Your Classroom – Easy EdTech Podcast 206
- Strengthen SEL Skills During Any Project with Michele Haiken – Easy EdTech Podcast 221
- Uncheatable Assessments and the Role of Digital Storytelling in the Classroom with Michael Hernandez – Easy EdTech Podcast 214
