On the surface, inviting open discussion sounds like an easy way to engage students: ask a question, prompt some thoughts, maybe even send them into breakout groups for a few minutes. Engagement? Check.
But in practice—especially in the era of Zoom teaching—this approach has become a default shortcut: toss students into breakout rooms and hope something meaningful happens. Unfortunately, without thoughtful structure, this strategy often falls flat. At best, it causes confusion. At worst, it isolates students and weakens the sense of community.
Whether you’re facilitating in-person discussions or managing virtual breakout rooms, meaningful engagement requires intentional planning. The goal is to build a collaborative space where every voice has the chance to be heard.
How to Make Breakout Rooms Work for Everyone
1. Start with clear instructional goals
Not every activity needs a breakout room. Quick check-ins, informal touchpoints, or light formative assessments might be better suited to whole-group discussion. For smoother transitions between full-class and small-group formats, tools like Spatial Audio in SpatialChat can help maintain flow.
However, if your goals involve deeper learning—such as sustained inquiry, group projects, or collaborative problem-solving—and you’ve already built a classroom community, then breakout rooms can be powerful.
2. Set clear expectations from the start—and keep them visible
One of the most common student complaints? “We didn’t know what we were supposed to do.”
To avoid that confusion, post your instructions on a slide that remains visible during the breakout session. Use a timer to help keep students focused and on track. (Bonus tip: Try Miro’s Presentation Mode for interactive, collaborative slides, or embed a timer in your Google or PowerPoint deck.)
3. Show what success looks like—don’t just explain it
Give students the tools they need to participate meaningfully. Share sentence starters using academic language relevant to the task. Demonstrate how to use them—both in writing and out loud. You might even run a quick mini–fishbowl activity to model discussion norms before students head into their rooms.
Don’t forget to clarify expectations for the chat function as well. In SpatialChat, the main room chat stays visible even during breakout sessions, and students can DM you if they need help. Use it to post links, share files, or answer questions in real time.
4. Make Engagement Inclusive—Not Just Vocal
Active engagement isn’t limited to speaking out loud—it’s about thinking critically, interacting with peers, and making meaning together. Give students options to participate in ways that suit them. One powerful tool? The chat.
We learned during the pandemic that chat functions serve as crucial backchannels for conversation and collaboration. Make this a standard part of your practice. Use the chat feature in SpatialChat or even Google Slides with Q&A enabled to invite participation from students who may not feel comfortable speaking up but still have valuable insights to share.
5. Use Writing as a Bridge to Deeper Discussion
Before any group discussion, build in time for students to write down their thoughts. It doesn’t have to be lengthy—just enough to give everyone a moment to reflect and clarify their thinking.
This small pause makes a big difference, especially for quieter students. Many of them have already assumed they’ll be talked over, and disengage before the conversation begins. Shift this dynamic by introducing Waterfall Chats: everyone writes their response in the chat, but no one hits “send” until you say go. Then, all responses appear at once, creating a cascade of diverse ideas.
Want to go further? Try a Real Talk Discussion, a strategy developed by educators Caitlin Mitchell and Jessica Cannata. Students prepare talking points in advance, then collaboratively organize and sequence those ideas using sticky notes. This kind of structured, student-led discussion can be easily facilitated using Miro Whiteboards embedded in your SpatialChat environment.
6. Routines First. Tools Second.
The real magic of breakout rooms lies not in the tool itself, but in how you use it. One common misstep is assuming the novelty of a breakout room will automatically spark engagement. In reality, it often leads to confusion or disengagement—especially when students aren’t sure what to do once they’re in the room.
Breakout rooms work best when supported by clear routines, consistent protocols, and strong pedagogical choices. Think of them as containers for rich, meaningful interaction—ones that need scaffolding to succeed.
Borrow from established conversational structures to guide your students. Vygotsky reminds us that language is the medium by which we acquire our information. Through both formal and informal conversations, students can connect prior knowledge with feedback, refine their understanding, and co-construct meaning together.
Create Meaningful Moments—Not Just Meetings
When thoughtfully designed, breakout rooms can transform passive listeners into active participants and turn isolated tasks into collaborative learning experiences. It’s not about using more tools—it’s about using the right ones with purpose and clarity. Whether you’re teaching in person or online, fostering inclusive, engaging, and student-centered discussions is possible with intentional planning and the right environment.
If you’re looking for a virtual classroom platform that supports authentic connection, seamless collaboration, and flexible discussion formats, check out SpatialChat. It’s built to make virtual learning feel more human—and a whole lot more effective.
Want to see it in action? Book a demo today and discover how SpatialChat can bring your virtual discussions to life.