Groups: Basic
The Groups tool allows instructors to divide students into groups within a course.
For example, groups can be used for project teams, presenting students with different quizzes and tests, or organizing discussions. (See Using Groups Effectively for suggestions about using groups.)
Access the Groups Tool
1. Go to the Course Home of the course in which you want to create groups.
2. Click Edit Course (right side of the Navigation Bar).
3. Click the 
Groups link in the Tools list. (You can also add Groups to your NavBar – see Add Tool to Navigation Bar.)
Create and Manage a Group Category
Use categories to organize your groups by assignment, project, etc. You may establish more than one category (e.g., dividing the class into one set of teams for work on a group project, and another set of teams for leading discussions of weekly readings).
1. Access the Groups tool as explained above.
2. Click 
New Category.
3. Enter a Category Name, such as "Projects" or "Discussions."
4. Type a Description.
5. Select an Enrollment Type. The options are:
- # of Groups - No auto enrollment: Carmen creates the number of groups you specify. Instructor manually assigns students to groups.
- Groups of #: Carmen creates as many groups as necessary to accommodate all students.
- # of Groups: Carmen creates the specified number of groups.
When selecting 'Groups of #' or '# of Groups,' decide whether to Auto-Enroll New Users and to Randomize Students in Groups.
- Group of # - Self Enrollment: Carmen creates as many groups as necessary to accommodate all students. Students then self-enroll in groups using the Groups tool on the NavBar.
- # of Groups Self Enrollment: Carmen creates the specified number of groups. Students self-enroll in groups using the Groups tool on the Navbar.
When asking students to self enroll, you must add the Groups to to the Nav Bar so that students may access it. See Add Tool to Navigation Bar for instructions.
6. Set the Number of Groups (for # of Groups) or the Number of Individuals (for Groups of #) for the selected Enrollment Type.
7. Optional: If desired, choose additional options to create Discussion Areas, Lockers, or Dropboxes that are available only to group members.
8. Click Create. Carmen will create groups, and (if appropriate) automatically enroll students in groups.
Manage Categories and Groups
Once you have created a category and groups within it, use to the Group tool to:
- Edit category or group information.
- Delete a category or group.
- Add a group to an existing category.
- Enroll students in established groups within a category.
Edit Category or Group Information
1. Access the Groups tool as described above.
2. Click a category or group name in the Category List.
2. Update category or group information (e.g., name or description).
3. Click Save.
Delete a Category or Group
1. Access the Groups tool as described above.
2. Check the box in front of a category or group name in the Category List.
3. Click 
(Delete selected groups and categories).
4. Click Delete Groups/Categories to confirm.
Add a Group to an Existing Category
1. Access the Groups tool as described above.
2. Click a category name in the Category List.
3. Click 
Add Group.
4. Type a Group Name such as "Projects" or "Discussions."
5. Type a Description for the group, if necessary.
6. Click Add.
7. Enroll participants in the group, as described below.
Enroll Students in Established Groups within a Category
1. Access the Groups tool as described above.
2. Click a category name in the Category List.
3. Click 
Enroll Users.
4. Check and uncheck boxes to each student to a group. (In the student list, click Last Name to sort names by last name or First Name to sort by first name.)
5. Click Save.
