WebCT: CE-6 Group Manager

Working with Groups: In WebCT Ce-6 you can: –create custom groups. –create multiple groups. –create groups with sign-up sheets. –create discussion topics for groups. –create chat or whiteboard rooms for groups. –send mail messages to groups. –edit group settings. –edit sign-up sheet settings. –delete groups.

Creating Groups Create Custom group –One group, you select the members to add Create multiple groups –empty groups, you add members manually at a later date OR –creates groups and randomly assigns students Create groups with sign-up sheets –Students sign up for by using a sign-up sheet

Creating Groups – Custom Group: Adding Members Manually Good to use in setting up a course –Simplifies facilitation process –All groups established prior to start of course –All supporting tools established (chat, discussion topics, etc.) –All you have to do is populate groups prior to the assignment date

Creating Group – Multiple Groups: Random Group Population Good strategy if groups are created after the course begins and random generation is appropriate

Creating Groups: Sign-up Sheets Create prior to the start of the trimester You can specify the maximum number of students allowed in a group Supports self-selection

Create Sign-up Groups: Students Self-enroll in Groups

Create Sign-up Groups In “Teach” tab, click on “Group Manager”

Create Sign-up Groups

1. Select “Create Groups with Sign-up Sheets 2. Click on “Continue” 1 2

Create Sign-up Groups – First Half of Entry Screen

Create Sign-up Groups – Second Half of Entry Screen

Groups Established

Edit Topics So They Are “Student- Friendly” Click on the ActionLinks dropdown menu and click on “Edit Group”

Edit Topics So They Are “Student- Friendly” 1.Type the desired name in the Group Name Box. 2.Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click ‘save’. 3.Repeat for each of the groups established.

Groups Renamed

Create Custom Group: Instructor Assigns Members to Group

Create Custom Groups In “Teach” tab, click on “Group Manager”

Create Custom Groups

Create Sign-up Groups 1. Select “Create Custom Group” 2. Click on “Continue” 1 2

Create a Custom Group 1.Name the Group 2.Add a description, if you choose 3.Save – if you want to populate the group later OR Click on “Add Members” to add students to the group, and then click on “Save” Note that you have an option to ‘Save’ and add another group which can save you time if you have multiple custom groups to create.

Group Appears in Alphabetic Sequence in the Group Manager List

Create a Multiple Custom Groups Note that you have an option to ‘Save and create another group’ instead of just Saving. This can save you time if you have multiple custom groups to create, each with a different name. OR, you can use “Create Multiple Groups” option and create all groups at one time if you just want to have groups differentiated by a number (group 1, group 2, etc.)

Create Multiple Groups: WebCT Can Randomly Assign Members Note: If you want WebCT to randomly assign members, create groups after the course has started. Otherwise, there are no students available to put in groups and you have to go back and add students manually. However, create multiple groups can also be used in lieu of “Create Custom Groups” to avoid repetitive entry of information.

Create Multiple Groups In “Teach” tab, click on “Group Manager”

Create Multiple Groups

1. Select “Create Multiple Groups” 2. Click on “Continue” 1 2

Create Multiple Groups: First part of Entry Screen:

Create Multiple Groups: Second part of Entry Screen – Decide How to form groups Complete each of the elements and click on ”Continue”

Groups Created Click Save

Multiple Groups In Group Manager Multiple groups are added to the Group Manger screen in alphabetic sequence.

Managing Groups

Once the groups are created, you can do the following: –create discussion topics for groups –create chat or whiteboard rooms for groups –send mail messages to all members of one or more groups. –edit group settings, such as group name and description. –edit sign-up sheet settings –add and remove group members. –delete groups.

Set Up Private Discussion Topics and/or Chat Rooms Select all Groups by clicking in the box to the left of Group Name (To select only one group, click on the box next to that group’s name).

Set Up Private Discussion Topics and/or Chat Rooms Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the dropdown menu to reveal options.

Set Up Discussion Topic Select the activity (i.e. Discussion Topic) from the drop-down menu and then click the green arrow.

Discussion Topic Set-up: First Part of screen

Discussion Topic Set-up: Second Part of screen

Discussion Topic Set-up: Bottom section of screen

You can place the topics into a special discussion category (recommended). In this instance, I had set up the category before creating the groups. You can also set up the category at the same time you create the groups by clicking on the “Create a Category” option and completing the entry boxes.

Confirmation Screen

Discussion Topics? Let’s click on the Discussions Topic to see what has been created

Discussion Topics Set up for Sign-up Groups

To Add Group Chat Rooms Repeat the process by going back to the Group Screen and selecting “Chat Room” from the Group Activity Drop-down menu and following the input screens.

Managing Groups Click on the “Action Links” drop- down menu to see options Options Edit Group Edit Sign-up Sheet for the Group Send mail to just this group Delete the group

Group Manager Edit Groups

Edit Group: Sign-up Group

Edit Sign-up Sheet Settings Note: All changes affect all groups

Edit Group: Edit Assignment Settings – Add Additional Groups

Edit Group: Sign-up Groups – Add Additional Groups Note that the Additional Group Settings screen asks for the same information requested when you set up the original groups: 1.Number of Groups 2.Starting Word or Phrase 3.Description 4.And Maximum Number of Students.

Edit Group: Custom Group or “Multiple” Group From the Edit Group link, you can: 1.Edit/change a group name 2.Edit change group description 3.Add members to a group

Manage Groups Group

Send

Send to a Group – Launches “Create Message” Screen “Click on “Browse for Recipients” button.

Sending an to a Group Note that all groups are listed. You can select one or more groups to receive your .

Sending an to a Group Note that the name of the Group(s) selected are listed below the “To” window.

Groups and Assignments

Group Assignments: Group Membership, Individual Grade Students work independently and submit their own assignment. Students receive their own grade. Example: –Place students into groups in which they can discuss the topic and exchange thoughts and ideas* –Students create their own work for individual grading *Note: Students can be graded separately for group participation within the discussion tool.

Group Assignments: Group Membership, Group Grade Students work collaboratively and submit one assignment per group. Students in the same group receive the same grade. * *Note: Students can be graded separately for group participation within the discussion tool.

Setting Up Group Assignments