This article outlines the process of setting up Groups in D2L. Navigate to the Groups tool by clicking "Communications > Groups" in the navigation menu.
On the “Manage Groups” page, click “New Category.”
Enter a “Category Name” and optional description for the Groups. The category name should be descriptive of the groups as a whole ("Core Assignment Groups" or "In-Class Pairs"). By default, your groups will be labeled "group 1", "group 2", "group 3", and so on. You can alter the group names after creation.
Choose an “Enrollment Type” from the drop-down menu.
- # of Groups - No Auto Enrollments - Allows you to create a specific number of groups. Students are not enrolled in groups. The instructor will manually enroll students in group using the Enroll feature.
- Groups of # - Allows you to create groups of a specific number. For example, groups of 3. The system will automatically enroll students in the classlist into groups of 3.
- # of Groups - Allows you to create a specific number of groups. For example, 10 groups. The system will automatically enroll students in the classlist into groups, assigning students evenly across groups.
- Groups of # - Self Enrollment - Allows you to create groups of a specific number. For example, groups of 3. The group will close once the capacity is reached. Students self-enroll in groups. Self-Enrollment Instructions for students.
- # of Groups - Self Enrollment - Allows you to create a specific number of groups. There is no limit on the number of students that can enroll in any given group. Students self-enroll in groups. Self-Enrollment Instructions for students.
- # of Groups - Capacity of # - Self Enrollment - Allows you to create a specific number of groups, while also limiting the number of students that can enroll in a group. Students self-enroll in groups. This option would be used if there are more group options available than students in the course, but you still want to be able to limit the group capacity. Self-Enrollment Instructions for students.
Next, specify the “number of groups” or “number of users” as required based on the enrollment type. The "Group Prefix" is optional. This is what will appear before the number. The default is "group." If you add a prefix, that will become the text that proceeds the number. If you need to customize the group name, you can do so after group creation by clicking on the group name.
Note: If you chose an auto-enrollment type, you can also determine if you want to “auto-enroll new users” or “Randomize users in groups” by checking the boxes.
Under “Additional Options,” you can choose to set up discussion areas, lockers, or assignment folders for the groups. If you plan to setup work spaces from the specific tool area at a later time, you can leave these boxes unchecked and click "Save." Refer to the articles below for setting up work spaces.
Group Work Spaces
The following articles outline the process of setting up group work spaces after group setup.
Group Assignments