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{{Grouping users}}
{{Grouping users}}
A teacher can organise users into groups within the course or within particular activities. Activities that have groups enabled allow users to filter contributions by group.  
==Why use groups?==
*You are a teacher in a course where you have several classes and you want to filter your activities and gradebook so you only see one class at a time.
*You are a teacher sharing a course with other teachers and you want to filter your activities and gradebook so you don’t see the students from your colleagues’ classes.
*You want to allocate a particular activity, resource or topic section to just one class or set of users and you don’t want others to see it.


For example, enabling either separate or visible groups on an assignment drop-box enables staff to filter the student submissions to see only those from a particular tutor group.
{{MediaPlayer | url = https://youtu.be/Gaq1M9-ETtQ | desc = How to add groups to courses}}
 
*This [https://youtu.be/pKAFWItexUY screencast about using groups] also highlights the benefits of using groups.
 
==Group levels==
[[File:groupmodecourse.png|thumb|Groups settings in course settings]]
A group or grouping can be used on two levels:
 
*Course level - The group mode defined at the course level is the default mode for all activities defined within that course.  To use groups you need first to set a group mode in ''Administration > Course administration > Edit settings.''
 
*Activity level - Each activity that supports groups can also have its own group mode defined. If the course  setting "Force group mode" is set to "Yes" then the option to define the group mode for individual activities is not available. If it is set to "No", then the teacher may change the group mode:
 
===Group modes===
 
There are three group modes
 
*No groups - There are no sub groups, everyone is part of one big community
*Separate groups - Each group can only see their own group, others are invisible.
*Visible groups - Each group works in their own group, but can also see other groups. (The other groups' work is read-only.)
 
For example, enabling either separate or visible groups on an assignment drop-box enables staff to filter the student submissions to see only those from a particular tutor group. With visible groups, students can see which other groups are doing the same activities as they are; with separate groups, they do not know which other groups are doing the same activities.


Using groups with discussion forums allow teachers to restrict interaction between students. Separate groups mean only students in the same group can see and participate in discussions within a particular forum. Visible groups allow students to see other group's discussions, but only participate in their own group's discussions.
Using groups with discussion forums allow teachers to restrict interaction between students. Separate groups mean only students in the same group can see and participate in discussions within a particular forum. Visible groups allow students to see other group's discussions, but only participate in their own group's discussions.
'''Note:''' Where visible groups are used or the participant can access all groups, the user's own group is shown first, followed by other groups:
[[File:mygroupsfirst.png]]
==Creating a group==
==Creating a group==
 
#Click the 'Create group' button in ''Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups'' (if using the Classic theme) or from the navigation drawer "Participants" and then clicking the gear menu on the right and "Groups" (if using the Boost theme)
To create a group
#Add a group name and optional description (displayed above the list of group members on the participants page), [[Enrolment key|enrolment key]] and picture (displayed on the participants page and next to forum posts)
#Click the 'Create group' button in ''Settings > Course administration > Users > Groups''
#Tick the box Enable group messaging if you wish to enage in group conversations. You will then be able to send group messages from the messaging drawer. See [[Messaging]] for more information.
#Add a group name and optional description (displayed above the list of group members on the participants page), enrolment key and picture (displayed on the participants page and next to forum posts)
#Click the 'Save changes' button
#Click the 'Save changes' button
#Select the group to which you want to add participants, then click the 'Add/remove users button
#Select the group to which you want to add participants, then click the 'Add/remove users button
# In the "Potential members" list, select the users you want to add to the group. Multiple users may be selected using the Crtl key.
# In the "Potential members" list, select the users you want to add to the group. Multiple users may be selected using the Crtl key.
# Click the Add button to add the users to the group
# Click the Add button to add the users to the group
[[File:groups.png]]


==Auto-create groups==
An optional group ID number (an advanced setting) may be added for matching the group against external systems. Group ID numbers are not displayed anywhere on the site. Within a course, all group ID numbers must be unique. Thus it's not possible to create a group with a duplicate group ID number.


Groups may be created automatically via the 'Auto-create groups' button in ''Settings > Course administration > Users > Groups''. To see all the settings, click the Show Advanced button.
Note: In Moodle 3.8, a default group icon is displayed in forum posts when there is no group picture set (MDL-67959). A workaround to the problem is to hide the picture in the group settings.


[[File:autocreategroupsmoodle2.png]]
==Auto-create groups==
[[File:autocreategroups.png|thumb|Auto-create groups]]
Groups may be created automatically via the 'Auto-create groups' button in ''Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups''. To see all the settings, click the ''Expand all'' link top right.


''Select members from ...'' allows you to choose from roles or available cohorts.
===General===
'''Specify''' and '''Group/Member count''' work together.
A '''naming scheme''' can be created automatically. # is replaced by sequential numbers, and @ by letters.  For example: 
*''Group @'' will create group with a naming scheme Group A, Group B, Group C . . .
*''Group #'' will create group with a naming scheme Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 . . .


You can specify if you would like to  create  
You can specify if you would like to  create  
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*each group contain x number of students
*each group contain x number of students


:When selecting '''Members per group''' the '''Prevent last small group''' will allocate additional members to an existing group rather then create a new group with fewer members than x.
=== Prevent last small group ===
 
When selecting '''Members per group''', depending on the number of users in the course, the last group can end up with significantly fewer members than expected. You can select '''Prevent last small group''' to avoid the situation. If the last group would be smaller than 70% of the expected size, it will not be created. Instead, Moodle will allocate additional members to existing groups rather then create a new group with few members.


A '''naming scheme''' can be created automatically. # is replaced by sequential numbers, and @ by letters. For example:
Example 1:
*''Group @'' will create group with a naming scheme Group A, Group B, Group C . . .
:You have a course with 80 students and you let auto-create groups with 30 members per group. There would be just 20 students in the third group which is 66% out of expected 30. Moodle will auto-create only two groups with 40 students in each.
*''Group #'' will create group with a naming scheme Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 . . .
 
Example 2:  
:You have a course with 81 students and you let auto-create groups with 30 members per group. Moodle will create three groups with 30, 30 and 21 members respectively because 21 is 70% out of expected 30.


'''Create in grouping''' and '''Grouping name''' allows you to create a new grouping and allocate the new autocreated groups to be created to it.
Hint: If you need to customize the 70% ratio used in these calculations on your site, ask your administrator to set the constant `AUTOGROUP_MIN_RATIO` in the main config.php.


Prior to creating the groups, you can view the groups.
define('AUTOGROUP_MIN_RATIO', 0.95); // Means the smallest group will have at least 95% of the expected size.


==Groups overview==
===Group members===
''Select members from ...'' allows you to choose from roles assigned within the course, available cohorts, groups or groupings.
'''Specify''' and '''Group/Member count''' work together. 


A overview of groups and groupings is available via the Overview tab in ''Settings > Course administration > Users > Groups''.
The setting 'Select members from cohort' lists all cohorts which users enrolled on the current course are part of. The number in brackets is the number of users enrolled on the course in that cohort.


The table may be filtered to display particular [[Groupings|groupings]] or groups.
The 'Ignore users in groups' checkbox should be ticked to only select group members from users that are NOT already in a group in the course.


==Using groups==
The 'Include only active enrolments' checkbox provides the option to choose whether to include suspended users in groups. The checkbox is only displayed to users with the [[Capabilities/moodle/course:viewsuspendedusers|capability to view suspended users]].


Using groups on the course or activity level will allow the teacher to:
===Grouping===


*Completely isolate groups of students by sight and activity from each other.
'''Create in grouping''' and '''Grouping name''' allows you to create a new grouping and allocate the new auto-created groups to be created to it.
*Partially separate groups, where one group can see other groups and each groups' activity, but not interact with the other group(s).
*Identify each group with an icon.


===Group levels===
Prior to creating the groups, you can view the groups.
A group or grouping can be used on two levels:


*Course level - The group mode defined at the course level is the default mode for all activities defined within that course. This is determined in the course settings.
==Restricting an activity, resource or course topic to a particular group==
[[File:group restriction.png|frame|Restricting an activity to a particular group]]
To be able to restrict an activity, resource or course topic to a group, [[Restrict access]] must be enabled. This will result in a 'Restrict access' section in the activity, resource or topic settings and a group restriction can then be added.


*Activity level - Each activity that supports groups can also have its own group mode defined. If the course  setting "Force group mode" is set to "Yes" then the option to define the group mode for individual activities is not available. If it is set to "No", then the teacher may change the group mode:
==Groups and enrol plugins==


[[File:groupmodecourse.png]]
Where groups are created automatically with enrol plugins such as  IMS Enterprise, members cannot be unenrolled manually via the groups screen inside a course. This has to be done from the plugin. Additionally, when group members are owned by a plugin like this, there is information below their name on the groups screen.  


===Group modes===
==Groups overview==


There are three group modes:
A overview of groups and groupings is available via the Overview tab in ''Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups''.


*No groups - There are no sub groups, everyone is part of one big community
The table may be filtered to display particular [[Groupings|groupings]] or groups and it will also display students who are ''not'' in a group:
*Separate groups - Each group can only see their own group, others are invisible.
[[File:notinagroup1.png|center]]
*Visible groups - Each group works in their own group, but can also see other groups. (The other groups' work is read-only.)


==Groups capabilities==
==Groups capabilities==
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Upload users]] - for importing users into groups
 
* [[Upload users]] - for importing users into groups
* [[Enrolment key]]
* [https://moodle.org/plugins/local_autogroup Autogroup additionalplugin] - A local plugin which automatically assigns enrolled users on a course into groups dependant upon information within their user profile. (Now with custom profile field support - called User Info Field in settings.) This plugin will create, update, and delete groups automatically to match the users on your course.
 


[[de:Gruppen]]
[[de:Gruppen]]
[[fr:Groupes]]
[[fr:Groupes]]
[[ja:グループ]]
[[ja:グループ]]
[[es:Grupos]]

Latest revision as of 09:59, 5 September 2020

Why use groups?

  • You are a teacher in a course where you have several classes and you want to filter your activities and gradebook so you only see one class at a time.
  • You are a teacher sharing a course with other teachers and you want to filter your activities and gradebook so you don’t see the students from your colleagues’ classes.
  • You want to allocate a particular activity, resource or topic section to just one class or set of users and you don’t want others to see it.
How to add groups to courses

Group levels

Groups settings in course settings

A group or grouping can be used on two levels:

  • Course level - The group mode defined at the course level is the default mode for all activities defined within that course. To use groups you need first to set a group mode in Administration > Course administration > Edit settings.
  • Activity level - Each activity that supports groups can also have its own group mode defined. If the course setting "Force group mode" is set to "Yes" then the option to define the group mode for individual activities is not available. If it is set to "No", then the teacher may change the group mode:

Group modes

There are three group modes

  • No groups - There are no sub groups, everyone is part of one big community
  • Separate groups - Each group can only see their own group, others are invisible.
  • Visible groups - Each group works in their own group, but can also see other groups. (The other groups' work is read-only.)

For example, enabling either separate or visible groups on an assignment drop-box enables staff to filter the student submissions to see only those from a particular tutor group. With visible groups, students can see which other groups are doing the same activities as they are; with separate groups, they do not know which other groups are doing the same activities.

Using groups with discussion forums allow teachers to restrict interaction between students. Separate groups mean only students in the same group can see and participate in discussions within a particular forum. Visible groups allow students to see other group's discussions, but only participate in their own group's discussions.

Note: Where visible groups are used or the participant can access all groups, the user's own group is shown first, followed by other groups:

mygroupsfirst.png

Creating a group

  1. Click the 'Create group' button in Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups (if using the Classic theme) or from the navigation drawer "Participants" and then clicking the gear menu on the right and "Groups" (if using the Boost theme)
  2. Add a group name and optional description (displayed above the list of group members on the participants page), enrolment key and picture (displayed on the participants page and next to forum posts)
  3. Tick the box Enable group messaging if you wish to enage in group conversations. You will then be able to send group messages from the messaging drawer. See Messaging for more information.
  4. Click the 'Save changes' button
  5. Select the group to which you want to add participants, then click the 'Add/remove users button
  6. In the "Potential members" list, select the users you want to add to the group. Multiple users may be selected using the Crtl key.
  7. Click the Add button to add the users to the group

An optional group ID number (an advanced setting) may be added for matching the group against external systems. Group ID numbers are not displayed anywhere on the site. Within a course, all group ID numbers must be unique. Thus it's not possible to create a group with a duplicate group ID number.

Note: In Moodle 3.8, a default group icon is displayed in forum posts when there is no group picture set (MDL-67959). A workaround to the problem is to hide the picture in the group settings.

Auto-create groups

Auto-create groups

Groups may be created automatically via the 'Auto-create groups' button in Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups. To see all the settings, click the Expand all link top right.

General

A naming scheme can be created automatically. # is replaced by sequential numbers, and @ by letters. For example:

  • Group @ will create group with a naming scheme Group A, Group B, Group C . . .
  • Group # will create group with a naming scheme Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 . . .

You can specify if you would like to create

  • x number of Groups or
  • each group contain x number of students

Prevent last small group

When selecting Members per group, depending on the number of users in the course, the last group can end up with significantly fewer members than expected. You can select Prevent last small group to avoid the situation. If the last group would be smaller than 70% of the expected size, it will not be created. Instead, Moodle will allocate additional members to existing groups rather then create a new group with few members.

Example 1:

You have a course with 80 students and you let auto-create groups with 30 members per group. There would be just 20 students in the third group which is 66% out of expected 30. Moodle will auto-create only two groups with 40 students in each.

Example 2:

You have a course with 81 students and you let auto-create groups with 30 members per group. Moodle will create three groups with 30, 30 and 21 members respectively because 21 is 70% out of expected 30.

Hint: If you need to customize the 70% ratio used in these calculations on your site, ask your administrator to set the constant `AUTOGROUP_MIN_RATIO` in the main config.php.

define('AUTOGROUP_MIN_RATIO', 0.95); // Means the smallest group will have at least 95% of the expected size.

Group members

Select members from ... allows you to choose from roles assigned within the course, available cohorts, groups or groupings. Specify and Group/Member count work together.

The setting 'Select members from cohort' lists all cohorts which users enrolled on the current course are part of. The number in brackets is the number of users enrolled on the course in that cohort.

The 'Ignore users in groups' checkbox should be ticked to only select group members from users that are NOT already in a group in the course.

The 'Include only active enrolments' checkbox provides the option to choose whether to include suspended users in groups. The checkbox is only displayed to users with the capability to view suspended users.

Grouping

Create in grouping and Grouping name allows you to create a new grouping and allocate the new auto-created groups to be created to it.

Prior to creating the groups, you can view the groups.

Restricting an activity, resource or course topic to a particular group

Restricting an activity to a particular group

To be able to restrict an activity, resource or course topic to a group, Restrict access must be enabled. This will result in a 'Restrict access' section in the activity, resource or topic settings and a group restriction can then be added.

Groups and enrol plugins

Where groups are created automatically with enrol plugins such as IMS Enterprise, members cannot be unenrolled manually via the groups screen inside a course. This has to be done from the plugin. Additionally, when group members are owned by a plugin like this, there is information below their name on the groups screen.

Groups overview

A overview of groups and groupings is available via the Overview tab in Administration > Course administration > Users > Groups.

The table may be filtered to display particular groupings or groups and it will also display students who are not in a group:

notinagroup1.png

Groups capabilities

See also

  • Upload users - for importing users into groups
  • Enrolment key
  • Autogroup additionalplugin - A local plugin which automatically assigns enrolled users on a course into groups dependant upon information within their user profile. (Now with custom profile field support - called User Info Field in settings.) This plugin will create, update, and delete groups automatically to match the users on your course.