  We present Breakout, a group interaction platform for online courses that
enables the creation and measurement of face-to-face peer learning groups in
online settings. Breakout is designed to help students easily engage in
synchronous, video breakout session based peer learning in settings that
otherwise force students to rely on asynchronous text-based communication. The
platform also offers data collection and intervention tools for studying the
communication patterns inherent in online learning environments. The goals of
the system are twofold: to enhance student engagement in online learning
settings and to create a platform for research into the relationship between
distributed group interaction patterns and learning outcomes.
