How to Create and Manage Breakout Rooms in LiveClass
Breakout rooms let you divide a LiveClass session into smaller groups for focused discussions and activities. Each room has its own audio, video, and whiteboard, separate from the main room.
Only hosts and co-hosts can manage breakout rooms.
How to Open the Breakout Panel
- Join your LiveClass session.
- Select 'Breakout' in the session toolbar.
- Review the room and participant counts displayed at the top of the panel.
How to Create Breakout Rooms
You can create rooms automatically or add them individually.
Option 1: Auto-Create
Select Auto-Create, choose the number of rooms. The default is four.
Let LiveClass distribute participants across the rooms.
Option 2: Add Room
Select 'Add Room', create a room, and give it a name. Repeat to create additional rooms.
Assign participants to the appropriate rooms.
How to Assign Participants
Use the breakout panel to assign participants to rooms or move them between rooms.
Participants who have not been assigned appear in the'unassigned' count.
Participants who join late also arrive in the main room as unassigned. You can assign them to a breakout room from the panel.
How to Open Breakout Rooms
- Create the rooms and assign participants.
- Review the room assignments and unassigned count.
- Select 'Open All Rooms'.
Assigned participants move into their breakout rooms automatically. They do not need to select or join a room manually.
Each breakout room has separate audio and video. Participants cannot hear conversations in the main room or other breakout rooms.
How to Manage Breakouts While They Are Open
Visit a Breakout Room
As a host or co-host, you can enter any breakout room and move between rooms to check progress, answer questions, or provide guidance.
Broadcast a Message
Use 'Broadcast' to send a written message to every open breakout room at once. This is useful for sharing instructions, reminders, or time updates.
For example: “Five minutes left. Agree on one recommendation and prepare to share it.”
Set a Timer
Use 'Timer' to set a countdown that participants in all breakout rooms can see. This helps groups manage their time.
The timer continues even if you refresh your browser because it is maintained by the session, not your browser tab.
How to Bring Everyone Back to the Main Room
Give participants a warning so they can wrap up their discussions.
Use 'Broadcast' or 'Timer' to communicate the remaining time.
Select 'Return All' to close the breakouts and return participants to the main room.
Closing the breakout rooms clears all participant assignments, but the rooms remain available. If you start another round, assign participants again.
Tips for Effective Breakout Sessions
Explain the task first: Give participants clear instructions, the expected outcome, and a time limit before opening the rooms.
Set a specific goal: Ask each group to produce something concrete, such as one recommendation or a short summary.
Choose a suitable group size: Four to six participants is a useful starting point for group discussions.
Visit rooms briefly: Check progress and offer help without interrupting the conversation for too long.
Allow time to get started: Groups may need a minute to organize themselves before the discussion begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can attendees choose their own breakout room?
No. Hosts and co-hosts assign participants to rooms.
Can I move a participant after the breakouts are open?
Yes. Reassign the participant from the breakout panel, and they will switch rooms.
What happens when someone joins late?
They enter the main room as unassigned. Assign them to a breakout room from the panel if needed.
Can participants in different breakout rooms hear each other?
No. Each breakout room has separate audio and video.
Does chat carry across breakout rooms?
Each room has its own conversation. Use Broadcast to send a message to every open breakout room.
What happens if I lose my connection while breakouts are open?
The breakout rooms continue running on the server. Rejoin the session to view the current state in the panel, including the timer.
Can I reuse the same groups for a second round?
The rooms remain available, but participant assignments are cleared when you close the breakouts. Assign participants again before the next round.
Can I record breakout rooms?
Recording captures the main session, not the breakout discussions. Ask participants to share important findings in the main room if you need them included in the main session recording.
Use breakout rooms to organize focused group activities within a LiveClass session. Create rooms, assign participants, communicate through Broadcast, and use Timer to keep activities on track. Select Return All when it is time to bring everyone back together.
