Creating Groups in Brightspace

Many times, students will work in groups to do a project. Brightspace allows you to set up groups in a variety of ways. You can also set up group discussion boards that are only available to group members. Groups can also submit a single assignment that you can then assign a group grade. This guide will show you how to set up your groups.

Do you want your group to include group discussions or assignments? That is explained in Step 5 of this guide.

Updated August 2023

Set up Groups

1. Go to Activities & Assessment and select Groups. To set up your groups, click on New Category.
   
2. On this screen you will give the group Category a meaningful name.
3. Include a Description that will be visible to the students.
4. Select which Enrollment Type you would like to use:
   
   Enrollment types with description:
   • # of Groups – No Auto Enrollments – set the number of groups, and the instructor will manually assign students
   • Groups of # – set the group capacity, i.e. “groups of 4” 
   • # of Groups – set a group limit, i.e. “7 groups total” 
   • Groups of # – Self Enrollment – set the group capacity and allow students to self-enroll
   • # of Groups, Capacity of # – Self Enrollment – set the group capacity and number of groups, and allow students to self-enroll
   • Single user, member-specific groups – set up groups of 1

   Depending on which Enrollment Type you chose, you will have fields to fill in regarding number of groups, number of users, and other enrollment-related options.

    

   If you choose the Groups of # or # of Groups enrollment types, you will have three additional options under Advanced Properties.

   • Auto-enroll new users – If enabled, this setting will automatically add any new students to a group in this category if they are added to the course later.
   • Randomize users in groups – If enabled, this will enroll students in a random order. If this is not enabled, students will be enrolled based on their order in the classlist.
   • Make category and group descriptions visible to group members. 
5. Decide which Additional Options you would like:
   
   • Set up Discussion areas – This will set up a Discussion Item that only group members can use. The instructor can also view and participate in the discussion. To learn more about Group Discussions click here.
   • Set up lockers – We advise against using Lockers for sharing files. Instead use Vanderbilt’s Box system for file sharing and collaboration.
   • Set up assignment submission folders – This allows you to immediately create an Assignment that will be associated with these groups. This assignment will allow a group submission. You can also create a group assignment later following these instructions.
6. Click Save when you are finished.

If you indicated that you would like to set up a group Discussion or Assignment, you will be presented with screens to set up those items.

Once you are completely finished you will see your groups on the Groups page.