Desire2Learn

Working with Groups

Using groups can help instructors organize course tasks. For example, once groups have been created, an instructor can assign different topics or other tasks to each group. This document covers the following topics:

• Accessing the Manage Groups Dialog Box
• Creating Groups and Group Types
• Editing Groups or Group Types
• Deleting Groups or Group Types

Accessing the Manage Groups Dialog Box

1. From the Course Home page, on the Navigation bar, click CLASSLIST.
   The Course dialog box appears.

2.   Click MANAGE GROUPS.
     The Manage Groups dialog box appears.
   
   

Creating Groups and Group Types

You might find it useful to create different groups for different assignments or projects. In this case, you should distinguish them by using explanatory group type names, such as Project 1. Within each group type exists groups in which students can be assigned. For example, Project 1 could contain two groups, Students A-L and Students M-Z.

When you create a group type, you can specify an enrollment style and let Desire2Learn automatically enroll students, manually enroll students in each group, or allow students to choose groups by using the self-enroll option.

Creating Groups and Group Types: Automatic Enrollment

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box .

2. Click NEW CATEGORY.
   The New Category dialog box appears.
   
   

3. In the Category Name text box, type the desired name.
   HINT: This name should relate to the assignment or project name.

4. In the Description scroll box, type a description of the group type.

5. From the Enrollment Type pull-down list, specify how users will be enrolled in the group.
   

   Automatic Enroll Option	Description
   Groups of # - ie each group has at most x people	You specify the maximum number of students per group and Desire2Learn automatically creates the appropriate number of groups to accommodate this.
   # of Groups - ie there are x groups	You specify the number of groups to be added and Desire2Learn automatically assigns an equal number of students to each group.

6. In the Enrollment Quantity text box, type the desired number corresponding to your selected enrollment style from step 5.

7. Click ADD.
   You are returned to the Manage Groups dialog box.
   The group type and groups are created.

To override automatic enrollment:

An instructor may adjust the group membership created by automatic enrollment.

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. To view the groups selected by the Automatic Enrollment option, for the desired group type, click ENROLL
   The Enroll Users dialog box appears.
   HINT: Using the Display pull-down list, you can view one group at a time or view them all at once.

3. To remove a person from a group, deselect the group they are currently enrolled in.
   An individual is not enrolled in a group if there is no checkmark in the checkbox.

4. To add that person to another group, select the desired group.
   An individual is enrolled in a group if there is a checkmark in the checkbox.

5. Click SAVE.
   

Creating Groups and Group Types: Manual Enrollment

If you want to enroll students into groups manually, you must create the group type, create the groups, and enroll students in each group.

To create the group type:

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. Click NEW CATEGORY.
   The New Category dialog box appears.

3. In the Category Name text box, type the desired name.

4. In the Description scroll box, type a description of the group type.

5. From the Enrollment Type pull-down list, select No auto enrollments.

6. In the Number of Groups text box, type the desired number of students per group.

7. Click CREATE.
   The group type is created.
   Click SAVE.

To create the groups:

Once your group type has been created, you need to create the groups.

1. From the Group Type column, click the group you just created
   The Manage Groups dialog box appears.

2. Click ADD GROUP.
   The Add Group dialog box appears.

3. From the View Categories pull-down list, verify that the desired group type name is selected.

4. Click on CREATE NEW GROUP FOR CATEGORY.

5. In the Group Name text box, type an appropriate name for the subgroup.
   HINT: The group name could reflect which students are in the group (e.g., Students A-L) or simply be numbered (e.g., Group 1).

6. OPTIONAL: In the Description scroll box, type a description for the group

7. Click ADD.
   The group is created.
   The Manage Groups dialog box appears.

8. To add additional groups
   1. Click CREATE NEW GROUP FOR CATEGORY.
   2. Repeat steps 3-7.

To manually enroll students:

After the groups have been created, you are ready to enroll students.

1. In the desired group's row, click ENROLL.
   The Enroll Users dialog box appears.

2. In the column for the group, select the students to be added.
   HINT: Students are selected if a checkmark appears next to their names.

3. Click SAVE.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 until all students are enrolled

Creating Groups and Group Types: Self-Enrollment

Using the self-enrollment option allows the instructor to create the group type and specify the number of groups or the number of members allowed in each group. Students then enroll themselves in the groups of their choice. Enrollment in a group is closed when the limit you set is reached.

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. Click NEW CATEGORY.
   The New Category dialog box appears.

3. In the Category Name text box, type the desired group type name.

4. In the Description scroll box, type a description of the group.

5. From the Enrollment Type pull-down list, specify how users will be enrolled in the group:
   

   Self-Enroll Option	Description
   Self Enrollment - maximum x people per group	You specify the number of students per group.
   Self Enrollment - x groups	You specify the number of groups to be added.

6. In the Enrollment Quantity text box, type the desired number corresponding to your selected enrollment style from step 5.

7. Click CREATE.  Click SAVE.
   The group type is created.
   

Editing Groups or Group Types

Once a group or group type has been created, you may see the need to make changes. Desire2Learn allows you to edit the details of groups or group types as well as change which students are enrolled in them.

Editing Groups or Group Types: Details

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. From the Categories column, click the group type name whose details you wish to change.
   The Edit Group dialog box appears.
   
   

3. Make the desired changes.

4. Click SAVE.
   The group details are edited.
   The Manage Groups dialog box appears.

Editing Group or Group Types: Enrollment

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. For the desired group type, click ENROLL.

3. The Enroll User s dialog box appears.
   

4. Select or deselect users for each group as appropriate.
   HINTS:
   Users are selected if a checkmark appears next to their names. Selection indicates enrollment in that group.

5. Click UPDATE.
   The group enrollment is edited.

Deleting Groups or Group Types

If you no longer have need for a group or group type, you can easily delete it from your Desire2Learn course.

Deleting Group Types

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. For the desired group type, click DELETE.
   A confirmation dialog box appears.

3. Click OK.
   The group type is deleted.

Deleting Groups

1. Access the Manage Groups dialog box.

2. Select the desired category on the pull-down list.

3. Select the group to be deleted.

4. Click DELETE.
   A confirmation dialog box appears.

5. Click DELETE GROUPS .
   The group is deleted.