Breakout Learning
AI-powered platform for engaging student discussions
What is Breakout Learning? Complete Overview
Breakout Learning is an award-winning platform designed to revolutionize student engagement through AI-evaluated discussions. It addresses the common problem of students not engaging with traditional course materials like textbooks and discussion boards. By getting students to actively participate in structured discussions, Breakout Learning fosters deeper comprehension and critical thinking. The platform is trusted by over 225 institutions and is particularly effective in large lecture formats. It integrates seamlessly with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and offers customized discussion modules that instructors can tailor to their course objectives. Breakout Learning's AI-powered evaluation system provides immediate feedback to students and robust metrics to instructors, ensuring meaningful participation and measurable learning outcomes.
Breakout Learning Interface & Screenshots

Breakout Learning Official screenshot of the tool interface
What Can Breakout Learning Do? Key Features
AI-Evaluated Discussions
Breakout Learning's patented AI system evaluates discussion transcripts against customized rubrics, measuring participation, critical thinking, and concept comprehension. This provides immediate feedback to students and detailed metrics to instructors.
Customizable Discussion Modules
Instructors can control topics, grading weight, and prompts. The platform supports multimedia content and various activity types, allowing for tailored learning experiences that align with specific course objectives.
Seamless LMS Integration
Breakout Learning integrates with Canvas and other LMS platforms via secure API connections. This allows professors to create and manage assignments directly within their existing systems, with gradebook synchronization.
Ready-to-Use Library
The platform offers over 100 pre-built discussion modules created by professor partners. These modules cover various subjects and can be easily incorporated into any course.
Instructional Design Support
Breakout Learning provides professional instructional design services to help instructors create custom content or even redesign entire courses around student discussions.
NextBook™ Curriculum Design
This innovative feature allows institutions to replace traditional textbooks with interactive discussion-based curriculum, particularly effective for undergraduate large lecture formats.
Compliance & Accessibility
The platform meets rigorous security and accessibility standards including GDPR, FERPA, SOC 2, and WCAG, ensuring it can be used safely by all students.
Best Breakout Learning Use Cases & Applications
Large Lecture Courses
Breakout Learning's NextBook™ is particularly effective for undergraduate large lecture formats, transforming passive learning into active engagement through structured discussions.
Case Study Discussions
Replace traditional case study methods with interactive discussions that ensure all students participate meaningfully, not just the most vocal ones.
Reading Comprehension
90% of students complete assigned readings before Breakout sessions, as the platform's interactive format incentivizes preparation.
Professional Skill Development
Students practice workplace-relevant skills like productive disagreement and organized argument presentation in simulated meeting environments.
Curriculum Redesign
Institutions can work with Breakout's instructional design team to replace traditional textbooks with discussion-centered curriculum.
How to Use Breakout Learning: Step-by-Step Guide
Browse the library of pre-built discussion modules or work with Breakout's team to create custom content that aligns with your course objectives.
Integrate Breakout Learning with your LMS (like Canvas) to easily create and manage assignments within your existing course structure.
Students participate in structured discussions either synchronously or asynchronously, engaging with course materials and each other.
The platform generates transcripts of discussions which are evaluated by AI against customized rubrics measuring participation and understanding.
Students receive immediate feedback while instructors get detailed metrics about each student's performance and comprehension.
Grades are automatically synced with your LMS gradebook, saving instructors time on manual grading.
Breakout Learning Pros and Cons: Honest Review
Pros
Considerations
Is Breakout Learning Worth It? FAQ & Reviews
Yes. While optimized for synchronous experiences, students can complete activities individually in asynchronous settings.
Combines AI analysis (using Bloom's Taxonomy) with professor-defined criteria for participation, comprehension, and evaluation weighting.
Yes, integrates with Canvas via API for assignment management and gradebook synchronization.
Yes, complies with GDPR, FERPA, SOC 2, and WCAG standards.