Breakout Room Features Available:  Potential Jobs: 

 
Pre-assign participants 
 
 
Facilitator/Checker​ - Keeps everyone focused and makes 
sure everyone talks. 
  
  Recorder -​ Type everything and make sure it is filled in   
 
Ask for help  Screen Sharer -​ Shares their screen to make sure everyone 
sees what they need to 
 
  Timekeeper -​ Keeps track of time and reminds group how 
much time is left 
Share screen 
 
Talker-​ Shares out when the group has to present 
 

Chat 

Reactions 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  In-Person Best Practices  Virtual Best Practices 
Secure “idle  - Provide resources/links that serve as their  - Provide resources/links that serve as their “starting 
time”  “starting point”  point” 
- Provide guide sheet or checklist for completion of  - Provide guide sheet or checklist for completion of the 
the activity  activity 
- Circulate around the room to ensure everyone is  - If you are not in the breakout room, you should still 
on task  know work is being completed (use a jamboard, one live 
group google doc for the class with different sections and 
places for kids to type, google forms, chat requirements)- 
this takes the place of “circulating” 

Ensure  - Strategically think about grouping/pairings  - Strategically think about grouping/pairings:​ pre-assign 
participation  - Find creative ways to share groupings with  participants in breakout rooms 
students  - Find creative ways to share groupings with students 
- Define what students do when they are finished  - Define what students do when they are finished 

Model  - Role play group expectations or model between  - Role play group expectations or model between you and 
expectations  you and another student  another student 
- Show students what they should have in front of  - Show students what they need to show each other 
them as they are working.  during the breakout; what do they share on the screen? 

Define  - Assign roles:  - Assign roles: 

communication   - General Roles: Leader, Writer, Supplies,  - General Roles: Leader, Writer, Supplies, 
Timekeeper,   Timekeeper,​ Screen Sharer, Chat moderator 
- Define acceptable forms of communication during  - Define acceptable forms of communication during group 
group time:  time: 
- Noise Levels  - Chatting or unmiced, up to the group? 
- Sound bytes… What does a fully functional  - Sound bytes… What does a fully functional group 
group sound like   sound like  

Define your  - Let students know when you are unavailable and  - Let students know when you are unavailable and 
involvement  available   available  
- Let students know how to reach you if the group  - Let students know how to reach you if the group needs 
needs help (raise your hand, put up a colored card,  help (chat, ask for help, comment on the doc in a certain 
send a runner)  color) 
- Tell students what you will be doing as they meet  - Tell students what you will be doing as they meet