Student Guide – Breakout Rooms in Zoom

Entering the Breakout Rooms
After your lecturer has given you the instruction for the task that you will complete in the Breakout Room, they will start the room. When this happens you will see a pop up on screen inviting you to join your room. You should click ‘Join Breakout Room’ to enter.
The Breakout Room
The Breakout Room
Turn on Audio & Video When you enter the Breakout Room, be sure to enable your audio and video (if possible) if they are currently muted. You will find the controls on the bottom left of the screen.


Chat Chat: The chat function allows you to type response to everyone in the session or individuals, you can also share files via the chat window.

Share Screen Share Screen: You can share your entire desktop, an application window or you can share a whiteboard that all participants in the room can add to.

Record Record: You can ask your lecturer to record the Breakout Room session. The lecturer as host must be present in the Breakout Room at the same time in order to do this however.

Ask for help Ask for help: If you want to get the attention of your lecturer, click the Ask for help button.


Reactions Reactions: You can add visual icons or ‘Reactions’ with this option.

Leaving the Breakout Room
If the lecturer has added a timer for the Breakout session, then you will only have a specific amount of time to work with your groups in the Breakout Room. Most likely, they will opt for a notification to appear on screen to let you know when the time is nearly up. At the end of this period, you will automatically be removed from the Breakout Room and brought back into the main room. You can also leave the session prior to the time ending by selecting ‘Leave Room’.