Miro

Note

This guide is provided for a tool that is not centrally funded or supported by Monash University. While a limited free tier may be available, full functionality typically requires a paid licence. Consult your faculty contacts regarding support, access, or funding before adopting this tool.

Miro is a versatile online whiteboard platform that supports collaborative learning and teaching by providing an online space to brainstorm, visualise ideas and work together in real-time. Educators and students can collaborate on mind maps, virtual whiteboards, and visual representations of problems synchronously or asynchronously.

Miro supports individual, group, and whole class collaboration in discussions, even in very large classes. Students can reflect, analyse and critically engage with material together in real time. Educators can set activities up on the Miro board and use it as a presentation, seamlessly moving from static slides or “frames” to interactive activities in sequence and building student contributions.

Features	Limitations
Collaboration: Miro facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing students and academics to work together on projects and ideas remotely. Visual Thinking: It's a fantastic tool for visual thinking and planning, helping to convey complex concepts through diagrams, mind maps, and flowcharts. Templates and Frameworks: Miro offers a variety of templates and frameworks that can be customised for different educational purposes, saving time in the design process. Integration: It integrates well with other tools and platforms, enhancing its versatility and making it easier to incorporate into existing workflows. Accessibility: With an online platform, Miro provides easy access to content from various devices, fostering flexibility in learning and collaboration.	Learning Curve: Some users might find it initially challenging to navigate the interface, especially if they're new to collaborative online tools. Cost for Advanced Features: While it offers a free version, some advanced features and higher usage capacities may require a subscription, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users.

Features

Limitations

Collaboration: Miro facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing students and academics to work together on projects and ideas remotely.
Visual Thinking: It's a fantastic tool for visual thinking and planning, helping to convey complex concepts through diagrams, mind maps, and flowcharts.
Templates and Frameworks: Miro offers a variety of templates and frameworks that can be customised for different educational purposes, saving time in the design process.
Integration: It integrates well with other tools and platforms, enhancing its versatility and making it easier to incorporate into existing workflows.
Accessibility: With an online platform, Miro provides easy access to content from various devices, fostering flexibility in learning and collaboration.

Learning Curve: Some users might find it initially challenging to navigate the interface, especially if they're new to collaborative online tools.
Cost for Advanced Features: While it offers a free version, some advanced features and higher usage capacities may require a subscription, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious users.

Let's explore six impactful ways Miro can transform your teaching and learning journey:

Transform your Miro board into a dynamic weekly learning space using customisable frames. These frames allow you to organise content, activities, and participatory spaces seamlessly. Enhance engagement by incorporating virtual sticky notes for student interaction, fostering collaborative learning within a single, evolving space.
In the absence of in-person options, Miro serves as an invaluable tool for creating online studio spaces. Facilitate collaborative work, presentation, and peer feedback through Miro's interactive features. Customise your whiteboard space with content from various platforms, creating an environment conducive to high-quality peer feedback.
Maximise Miro's potential for group projects by making use of purpose-built templates. The Visual Story Map template aids in visualising complex project dimensions, while the Miro Storyboard Template facilitates planning for visual sequences. Explore other templates like Concept Map and Reverse Brainstorming for diverse ideation processes.
You can empower your students with Miro's dynamic capabilities, making every online interaction a collaborative and engaging experience.
Miro allows you to create personalised class boards and individual portfolios. The interface is intuitive, allowing you to add activities, draw interconnected ideas, insert photos and documents, and incorporate hyperlinks effortlessly - all in real-time, even during ongoing discussions or class activities.
Unlike traditional linear formats like PowerPoint, Miro introduces a dynamic approach. Activities can circle back and interlink, forming a sophisticated web of connections. This feature not only enhances the learning experience but also provides a platform where ideas seamlessly converge and diverge, fostering a more intricate and engaging virtual environment.
Turn Miro into a curated digital exhibition space. Design personalised boards resembling in-person exhibitions, complete with a welcoming frame and informative start-view. Guide visitors through the gallery effortlessly, showcasing flexibility in navigating the exhibition space.
Miro's concept map maker helps students to visualise key concepts and get a big-picture overview. They can work together as a team to brainstorm, ideate, and structure concepts collaboratively.
Miro's concept map maker helps students to visualise key concepts and get a big-picture overview. They can work together as a team to brainstorm, ideate, and structure concepts collaboratively.

Creating a Miro account

Miro offers a free educator account with a straightforward verification process. While paid accounts are also available, the free educator account has very few limitations and is likely to be sufficient for most educators’ needs.

To create a free educator account:

Go to https://miro.com/contact/education/?ref=Educator
Complete the form including a link to evidence of your employment at Monash
Use the submit button to complete your application.

Additional resources

Explore these resources to learn more about Miro. Discover how to use its features, find inspiration from templates and examples, and consider how to apply this technology in your learning and teaching practices.

Miro academy

Free courses, videos, and live training programs to make the best of Miro’s many features.

Miro gallery

Explore what people have created with Miro.

How to run user research in Miro

A handy framework for visualising the research journey and tips for staying aligned with stakeholders.

Learning and Teaching: Teach HQ