Zoom breakout timer for workshops
Shared breakout timers for workshop facilitation
The timing problem in multi-room workshops
When you split a workshop into breakout rooms, each group loses sight of the shared schedule the moment they leave the main room. As facilitator you end up hopping between rooms, broadcasting messages, and guessing how much time is left. CrowdTimer replaces that guesswork with one countdown every room follows.
One shared clock every room can see
Start a single timer and every participant who opens CrowdTimer in their breakout room sees the same live countdown. Groups can pace their own exercise — brainstorm, prototype, or discuss — knowing exactly how long they have, while you keep a facilitator view of the whole workshop.
Let a group buy one more minute
When a productive conversation needs a little longer, any participant can request +1 minute with a single tap instead of shouting into the void. You stay in control: CrowdTimer shows how many extensions remain so a deep-dive exercise never quietly blows the agenda.
See which rooms are done before you pull everyone back
Participants can mark their room done, so you can tell at a glance which groups have finished and which still need time. That lets you bring everyone back when the room is actually ready, rather than interrupting half the groups mid-sentence.
Confirm room coverage before the exercise starts
Before the clock starts you can confirm each breakout room has a connected representative, so no group is left without the timer. Latecomers and people on a phone browser can still join the same countdown via a QR code.
Frequently asked questions
How do participants ask for more time during a workshop exercise?
Any participant taps the +1 minute button in CrowdTimer to request another minute for their room. The facilitator sees how many extensions remain, so groups get flexibility without the workshop running over.
What happens when a breakout room finishes early?
Participants can mark their room done. The facilitator sees live room-by-room progress and can decide whether to wrap up, regroup early, or give the remaining rooms more time.
Can people on a phone follow the workshop timer?
Yes. Anyone who cannot open the Zoom app can scan a QR code, enter their name, pick their breakout room, and follow the same shared countdown from a phone browser.
Do workshop participants need to install anything?
No. Participants open CrowdTimer inside the Zoom meeting, and phone-browser attendees just open a link. Only the host adds the CrowdTimer app once from the Zoom Marketplace.