What are some best practices for using breakout rooms and group activities in your lectures?

Before the activity starts, it's important to clearly outline the task for the students. Explain the purpose, the expected outcomes, and the time they have. It's not enough to just give instructions; you should also engage with the students to ensure they understand what's expected of them. Once the students begin the activity, it's beneficial to check in on the breakout sessions. This allows you to address any questions they might have and ensure that the activity is on track with the learning objectives. By doing this, you help create a more effective and interactive learning experience.

Nothing beats class participation for bringing lessons to life, and that's exactly how I like to run my Zoom classes. I often kick things off with a poll, maybe asking students for their thoughts on the latest digital media platform. Then, based on their responses, I split them into breakout rooms for a more intimate debate. It's amazing to see how this personalized approach sparks lively discussions and deepens their understanding, truly showing the power of active engagement in a digital setting.

Your learners may need more or less support depending on their familiarity with the topic. I teach adult English language learners. Here are a few things that have worked for me. 1. Use shorter breakout times for beginners. Break any tasks you want them to complete into small, manageable steps to help them adjust to the format. 2. Set very clear expectations for what should be done during the breakout time. I find it helpful to project the instructions into breakout rooms. 3. In groups, it can be helpful to set an order of participation and a time limit. For example, respond alphabetically by first name. No more than 90 seconds per response. This prevents a single student from monopolizing time. 4. Visit breakout rooms to support.

Before students enter their breakout rooms, they should have a comprehensive understanding of not only the task at hand but also how they are expected to present their findings. It's beneficial to establish whether the results should be presented verbally, through a slide deck, or written down, ideally on a virtual whiteboard. Additionally, defining the roles within each group, especially who will present the results, can streamline the process and ensure that every student knows their responsibility. This can be predetermined by the instructor or decided within the group, fostering a sense of ownership and teamwork.

Debriefing and reflecting after breakout rooms or group tasks is crucial to keep students focused and prevent them from drifting off task. A quick recap session, where groups share their findings, is essential for reviewing and reinforcing what was learned. I personally use shared Google Slides during these activities, which allows me to monitor their progress in real-time. This way, I can identify and address any challenges as they occur, ensuring a more effective and engaging learning experience for everyone.

After the breakout sessions conclude, each group should have the opportunity to present their findings or work to the whole class. This not only reinforces the learning for the group presenting but also provides additional perspectives and knowledge to the other students. It's a moment for the entire class to engage in a dialogue, exchange ideas, and deepen their understanding of the subject matter.