Using smaller groups in Zoom is a fantastic way to foster more personal conversations and teamwork during virtual meetings or classes. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps of setting up breakout rooms on Zoom and also provide some helpful suggestions and personal perspectives.
Setting Up Breakout Rooms
First, make sure you have the latest version of the Zoom desktop client installed on your computer. Once you’re ready, follow these steps:
- Launch the Zoom application and sign in to your account.
- Start a new meeting or join an existing one.
- Once you’re in the meeting, you’ll see a toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Click on the “Breakout Rooms” button.
- A window will pop up, allowing you to configure the breakout rooms settings.
- Choose the number of breakout rooms you want to create. You can adjust this number later if needed.
- If you want to assign participants to breakout rooms automatically, select the “Automatically” option. Otherwise, you can manually assign participants later.
- Click on the “Create Breakout Rooms” button to finalize the setup.
- Once the breakout rooms are created, you can manually assign participants to specific rooms or let Zoom do it automatically based on your previous selection.
- Click on the “Open All Rooms” button to start the breakout sessions.
It’s important to note that only the host has the ability to create and manage breakout rooms. As a host, you have full control over the session and can jump between different rooms to check on your participants.
Personal Tips for Breakout Rooms
Having used breakout rooms extensively for my online workshops, here are some personal tips and insights that might enhance your experience:
- Provide clear instructions to participants before starting the breakout sessions. Let them know what is expected of them and how much time they have.
- Consider assigning a facilitator or a note-taker for each breakout room to help keep the discussions focused and capture important points.
- Take advantage of Zoom’s screen-sharing feature within the breakout rooms. It can be useful for sharing files, presentations, or collaborating on a document in real-time.
- Encourage participants to use the “Ask for Help” button if they encounter any technical difficulties during the breakout sessions. This can help you quickly respond and provide assistance.
- Allocate enough time for the breakout sessions and make sure to schedule a wrap-up session afterward where participants can share their insights and takeaways.
Conclusion
Breakout rooms on Zoom are a powerful tool for creating engaging and interactive online meetings or classes. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up and manage breakout rooms to facilitate meaningful discussions and collaboration. Remember to provide clear instructions and leverage Zoom’s features to enhance the overall experience for both you and your participants. Happy Zooming!