Groups and group work

Contents

What are groups in Brightspace?

Groups refers specifically to the Groups tool, which is where instructors can create groups of students. These can be manually-created, randomly-generated, or set to allow for student self-enrollment. They can also be configured to provide access to restricted assessment items, like group assignments or discussion areas.

Groups are different from Sections, which is what Brightspace calls any official roster component (seminars, labs, tutorials, etc.). Similar restrictions to those described above can be applied at the Section level.

How do I find my group or self-enroll into a group?  

The Groups tool is located under Course Tools in the default course site navbar (your instructor may change this and/or provide different directions).

Click Groups to see a list of any Groups with which you have membership. Use Available Groups to see any that have been created for self-enrollment and click the group you wish to join.

Contact your TA or instructor if no groups are available or you are unable to select a group.

Can I see who else is in my group?  

Click Course Tools on the navbar then Groups. On the groups page you can scroll down to view My Groups. These are groups with which you have membership. If the number listed under Members is a clickable link, you can use it to view a list group members.

Where can I see my group Discussion areas or Assignments information? 

Select Course Tools in the course navbar then Groups. Associated Assignments or Discussions will be listed to the right of any groups with which you have membership. These will be clickable links (if they are currently available) and will take you directly to the associated tool.

Alternatively, go to the Assignments or Discussions tools themselves and scroll through to find your group assessments. If items are not obviously labeled, Group assessment is always identifiable by the Groups icon.

Open

A Group Assignment.

Open

A Discussion Topic with Group restrictions.