How to Set Up Group Assignments in Brightspace
Brightspace allows you to set up groups in many different ways so your students can complete group assignments. Groups can also submit a single assignment that you can then assign a group grade
1. In your course on Brightpsace, click on Course Tools and select Groups.
2. To set up your groups, click on New Category.
3. On this screen, you will give the group category a meaningful name. Include a description that will be visible to the students.
4. Next, select which type of Enrollment you would like to use.
# 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 type of Enrollment you chose, you will have fields to fill in regarding the number of groups, the number of users, and other enrollment-related options.
5. Next, 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
- Set up lockers – We advise against using Lockers for sharing files. Instead, use OneDrive for students to share files.
- 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.
6. If you indicated that you would like to set up an assignment submission folder, you will be prompted to create a group assignment. You can do this now or create one later.
7. After completing the group assignment details, navigate back to your group page to add students to the groups. Click on the dropdown menu next to the category and press Enroll Users.
8. Add students to their groups by selecting the checkboxes.
Tips and Tricks
- Only one person needs to submit the group assignment. Designate a team leader to be the person who uploads.
- When one person submits, the assignment is marked as submitted for all group members.
- When you grade the group assignment, it reflects in all group members’ grade books.
- If the final grade includes participation, you can edit an individual grade in the grade book and deduct or add points as needed. This doesn’t affect any other group member’s grade.