Quick Start Guide for Webex Meetings Breakout Sessions

What are Breakout Sessions in Webex?

  • Breakout Sessions are small group sessions split off from the main Webex session.
  • Breakout Sessions allow participants to meet in groups to collaborate and communicate with group members.
  • Instructors can join breakout sessions to touch-base with groups, as needed.
  • Breakout Sessions (in Webex Meetings only) supports video capabilities.

About Webex Breakout Sessions

  • One group member will be designated as the “Presenter”.
    The Webex presenter indicator appears to the left of the current presenter. Presenters have access to additional tools to share content and interact with other group members, as well as, allowing all members to annotate. One group member is designated as the presenter in breakout sessions as identified by the Webex icon.
  • The “Presenter” role can be passed to other group members.
    1. Select the name of a group member from the Participants List.
    2. Right-click on the group member name.
    3. Select Change Role to, and then select Presenter.
  • Participants control their audio and video connections during a Breakout Session.
    Audio and video connections can be turned on/off by selecting Mute/Unmute or Start/Stop Video, located on the quick access toolbar. Participants control their own audio and video connections during breakout sessions using the controls in the Quick Access toolbar.

Start and End Breakout Sessions in Webex Meetings

  1. Within a WebEx Meeting, from the Breakout menu, select Enable Breakout Session. Select Enable Breakout Session from the Breakout drop-down menu.
  2. From the Breakout menu, select Breakout Session Assignments.
    1. Set the number of sessions desired.
    2. Select to setup Breakout Sessions Automatically or Manually.
    3. Select Create Assignments. In the Breakout session assignments window, select the desired number of sessions, if they will be automatically or manually set up, then select Create Assignments.
      To MANUALLY assign participants to Breakout Sessions:
    1. Select the checkbox for the participant to be moved. Note: Move multiple users to a single breakout session at one time by selecting the checkbox each users.
    2. Select Move to Session.
    3. Select the desired Breakout Session from the list. Select the checkbox for the participant to be moved, then select Move to session, then select the desired breakout session.
  4. To start Breakout Sessions, select Start Breakout Sessions. Select Start breakout sessions.
  5. To end Breakout Sessions, select End all Breakout Sessions. Note: All participants will return to the main meeting room. Select End all breakout sessions.