Students in Jurriaan de Jong’s graduate-level Operations Management class get to know each other through breakout room discussions in CarmenZoom, where they talk about the case that was assigned that week. At the end of the evening, each breakout room submits a page of notes to a group assignment de Jong has set up in CarmenCanvas. 

“Back when we were in person, I would always have one team present the case,” said de Jong, an assistant professor in Fisher College of Business. “They would come to the front of the room and do their presentation: do some background, describe the problem, and say what they would recommend.” 

De Jong retooled the activity for hybrid, HyFlex delivery in autumn 2020, switching from in-class group presentations to in-class small group discussions. 

“These short, small meetings in breakout rooms are actually a lot more effective. You get to learn from two or three or your peers, and then we bring people back to the big room to discuss (the case) as a larger group,” de Jong said. 

How to Set Up Small Group Discussions in Carmen and CarmenZoom

1. Create groups in Carmen. 

2. Create a group assignment. This will allow one group member to submit the assignment on behalf of the group. 

3. Ask any in-person students to log in to CarmenZoom. 

4. After class begins, assign students in the same Carmen groups to breakout rooms together. 

5. Remind students that one group member should submit notes from their breakout room discussion via the assignment in Carmen.