How to Use Breakout Rooms in Online Meetings

Before the Meeting (Recommended)

  1. Enable in Settings: Sign into the Zoom web portal (zoom.us), go to Settings > In Meeting (Advanced) and enable "Breakout room".

  2. Pre-Assign: In "Meetings" on the web portal, schedule a meeting, find the "Breakout Room Pre-assign" option, and add participants by email. 

During the Meeting (Host/Co-host)

  1. Start the Feature: In the meeting toolbar, click the Breakout Rooms icon.

  2. Configure Rooms:

    • Number of Rooms: Select how many rooms you want.

    • Assignment Method:

      • Automatically: Zoom splits people evenly.

      • Manually: You pick who goes where.

      • Let Participants Choose: Members join their own desired room.

      • Load Pre-assigned Rooms: Use your web portal setup.

    • Click Create.

  3. Open Rooms: Click Open All Rooms to send everyone to their groups (or let them join if self-selected). 

Managing Rooms in Progress (Host/Co-host)

  • Join/Leave: Click Join from the Breakout Rooms panel to visit a room, then Leave Room to return.

  • Broadcast: Send messages or your audio to all rooms using the Broadcast options in the Breakout Rooms panel.

  • Monitor: See activity statuses (screen share, raised hand) in the panel.

  • Close Rooms: Click Close All Rooms, giving a countdown before participants return to the main session. 

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