How To Guide Breakouts with Timed Arrows

You click join and find yourself transported into a breakout room. After a long pause, someone asks, “so, what were we supposed to talk about?”

Have you experienced that awkward moment in a virtual breakout room? We’ve all been there. No one is sure of what we are talking about. No one knows who is going to start. It’s fixable with a few quick PowerPoint slides.

Adding timed arrows to PowerPoint slides you then share to breakout rooms can change that awkward moment AND increase engagement.

In this video I show you how to quickly and easily add animation and transitions to your slides. Use them to guide discussions, provide multiple step instructions, and increase the interaction and value of your breakout rooms.

The Steps

First you will select the arrow shape. Once the arrow is selected, you’ll drag it to the width of your slide. Then choose Animation/Fly In. The arrow will fly in from the bottom by default. Adjust this to From the Left. Now the arrow will move from left to right. Then add timing to the arrow for the duration of the breakout room question you want everyone to discuss. You can add a transition if you want to use multiple arrows for multiple sets of instruction.

The Share

When using Zoom, you can select Share To Breakout Room when you share your screen and everyone will see your screen. You’ll notice the green box at the top will say, “sharing to breakout rooms.”

You’ll be amazed at the difference you’ll create for people when they join breakout rooms.

I’d love to hear how you use them in unique ways.

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