Zoom Breakout Rooms

Overview

Zoom breakout rooms allow the host to manually or automatically split the participants into groups. Once in their groups, participants can only see, share, and listen to those in their groups. The host can jump into each groups' breakout room and interact with only that group.

Breakout rooms are a good way to allow students to get into their groups synchronously and have the instructor present to offer support and guidance. Students can also start their own Zoom session and meet with their group members at anytime they choose. 

 

Video Tutorial

Zoom official tutorial video

 

Creating Breakout Rooms

While in your Zoom meeting:

Breakoutroom

Image of Zoom toolbar

  1. Click on the Breakout Rooms icon in your host control bar (if you do not see 'Breakout rooms' icon, click on the More option in the host navigation bar).

 

Breakout rooms

Image of creating breakout rooms

   2.  Select the number of breakout rooms you would like to create.

   3.   Select whether you would like to Automatically or Manually assign participants.

  4.  Click Create Breakout Rooms. 

   5.  Click Open All Rooms (if you selected manually, you will be prompted to assign participants into each group and then click open rooms).

 

Best Practices

  • Use breakout rooms to allow students to interact and collaborate with peers.
  • Allow students to break into their groups and work together on a project or assignment.
  • Check in with each group to offer assistance or guidance.
  • Encourage students to use the Zoom whiteboard or Google Doc while in their breakout rooms.
  • Put students into breakout rooms to investigate a problem and then reassemble the class and each group present their findings.

 

Additional Resources