Start Breakout Groups

Breakout Groups allows as session leader to split session participants into small groups for activities such as discussion, brainstorming, or problem solving. This guide will demonstrate how to start Breakout Groups.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To set up breakout rooms, you will need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner.

Setting up Breakout Groups

image of the Collaborate panel showing the following items: 1.In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.2.Select Breakout Groups from the menu.
  1. In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.
  2. Select Breakout Groups from the menu.

There are two methods of assigning participants to groups: Random assignment and manual assignment.

Randomly Assigning Participants to Groups

Randomly Assigning Participants to Groups

To randomly assign participants to groups:

  1. Assign Groups: Select the Randomly Assign option from the dropdown menu. To include moderators, check the option labeled Include moderators in group assignment.
  2. Number of Groups: Use the dropdown menu to select the number of groups to create.
  3. Allow participants to switch groups: Select this option to allow participants to change groups.
  4. Shuffle Participants: Check this option to change the random group assignment.
  5. Group assignments will appear here. To rename a group, click on the group name. To reassign participants, drag the participant you wish to reassign between groups.
  6. To start Breakout Groups, click the Start button.

 

Manually Assigning Participants

Image of the breakout groups with the following icons: 1.Assign Groups: Select the Custom Assignment button.2.Allow participants to switch groups: Select this option to permit students to change their enrolled group.3.Main Room: Participants in the main room will be listed here. Click Show All to view all participants.4.Groups: Drag participants from the main room to the desired group. Click on the group name to rename the group.5.Add group: Click the + sign to add additional groups.6.Delete group: Click on the trash can icon to delete the group.7.When finished, click the Start button to start the breakout rooms.

To manually assign participants to groups:

  1. Assign Groups: Select the Custom Assignment button.
  2. Allow participants to switch groups: Select this option to permit students to change their enrolled group.
  3. Main Room: Participants in the main room will be listed here. Click Show All to view all participants.
  4. Groups: Drag participants from the main room to the desired group. Click on the group name to rename the group.
  5. Add group: Click the + sign to add additional groups.
  6. Delete group: Click on the trash can icon to delete the group.
  7. When finished, click the Start button to start the breakout rooms.

Monitor Breakout Groups

Once you have started breakout groups, a moderator can enter each breakout group to monitor each group.

Entering a Breakout Group

Image of the Breakout groups screen showing a list of groups with arrows pointing to the join button with instructions to click this button to join a group

To join a group, locate which group you wish to join, and click the Join button for the group you wish to join.

Monitoring a Group

Image of a breakout group in collaborate.Zoom: Image of a breakout group in collaborate.

You will now be able to interact with members of the selected group, and see content shared with the group.. To join another group, open the Participants List and click the Join button for the group you wish to join.

 

Move Participants to Another Breakout Group

This guide will demonstrate how to move participants between breakout groups.

Viewing the Participant List

Image of the Participants list with the following items: 1.Click on the group name to see the list of members in the group.2.Click on the Options button for the member you wish to move.

To move participants between groups:

  1. Click on the group name to see the list of members in the group.
  2. Click on the Options button for the member you wish to move.

Moving the User to Another Group, Part 1

Image of the participant options menu with the Move to another group option outlined in red

To move the participant, click on the Move to Another Group option.

Moving the User to Another Group, Part 2

Image of the Move user screen.

Drag the user into the group you wish to move the user to and click Update at the bottom when done.

 

End Breakout Groups

This guide will demonstrate how to close breakout groups.

Ending Breakout Groups

Image of the Participants list with an arrow pointing to the end breakout groups button.

Click on the End Breakout Groups button to end the breakout groups and return all participants to the main room.

 

Student Information

Faculty Information

Best Practices