Workgroups
The Workgroups feature is a space within which faculty can place students into different groups for the discussion, development and presentation of assignments and projects. This is a shared class space in which students are able to post updates and information to group members, upload and store project files, and create interactive and collaborative projects. Workgroups are contained within a course, and the course administrator (instructor) manages workgroup membership.
Creating a Workgroup
- Select Workgroups the course menu.
- Click the Create Workgroup button
- Enter the of the Workgroup, select whether to limit the number of students in the workgroup, and select Workgroup members from among the course’s Members list.
The Workgroup feature offers students several tools that are useful for collaboration. First, there is a short list of members in the group. From this list, other group members can see the portfolio photos of the other members. They can click on the link to the other members’ ePortfolios, or email other workgroup members.
Creating a new Workgroup
Workgroup Members List
There are four tabs that lead to other tools for the group. The first lists all Workgroup Members.
A list of Workgroup Members
Post It
Post It is a tab that opens up a discussion board. This space is not threaded; therefore, all comments appear on the screen in reverse order. Students can leave messages here during outside-of-class time to let each other know what the rest of the group is doing. You can monitor participation and offer suggestions and encouragement.
A Post It message
Files
Files is a tab that opens an internal drop box that group members can use to share drafts, files, pictures, sounds, video, etc. – anything relating to a project that all group members should use.
Workgroup Files section
Wiki
The Workgroup Wiki is a tab that opens up a direct link to a Wiki writing space. This Wiki functions just like the Course Wiki except that there is only one Wiki per Workgroup.
A Workgroup Wiki
Forum
The Forum is a tab that opens a forum for group members only. It functions just like the Course Forums.
Workgroup Forum