Different Zoom Breakout Room Methods and Techniques' Effects on Engineering Students’ Learning Outcomes for Engineering Courses

The Zoom application has become so popular since the COVID19 pandemic. Many institutions have limited options of instructional modes and tools that can be used when the physical school is closed. The instructions moved fully online in April 2020 in the United States and around the world. Many online instruction modes were available for faculty and students but they were not efficient compared to Zoom. However, Zoom also has limited options to fully replace the face to face instruction. This paper will investigate the effect of "breakout rooms" in the Zoom application and its effect on the student performance in engineering courses. The study is done in a 'Strength of Materials' course and the analysis was performed throughout the semester. The aim of this analysis taken on Zoom breakout room sessions is to determine the most beneficent method that adds value to the learning outcome of the engineering students. The analysis on the breakout room in the Zoom application used ten different methods and techniques to determine the most effective way for learning improvement for engineering students on engineering courses to occur. The results of this paper highlight the most efficient method and technique that can be implemented when an online instruction method is used.