Auto-create activity groups and group membership link

Create groups automatically and configure a link so that students can see the members of each group.

Auto-create activity groups

1. In Moodle, open the course you want to work with.
2. Click the Participants tab (at the top of the course moodle page)
3. Select Groups In the dropdown menu directly under the course name (default shows Enrolled Users).
4. Click Auto-create groups.
5. The system displays a new window.
6. In General Section:
   • Set Naming scheme to read *** Group # (where *** = Discussion, Assignment, Presentation, etc., as appropriate).
   • Select Members per group in Auto create based on.
   • Type the number of students per group you want in Group/member count (StFX Online suggests 5-6 but instructor may want a specific range).
   • Select No in Group messaging.
7. In Group members section:
   • Select Student in Select members with role.
   • Select None in Select members from grouping.
   • Select None in Select members from group.
   • Select Randomly in Allocate members.
   • Check Prevent last small group. Make sure the box is checked.
   • Uncheck Ignore users in groups. Make sure this box is unchecked.
   • Check Include only active enrolments box.
8. In Grouping section:
9. Click Preview to check the groups. If it seems to need adjusting, go back and change the Group/member count setting, then preview again.
10. Click Submit once you are satisfied with groups based on your preview.
11. Click Course tab (at the top of the Moodle course page) to return to the main course page.

Create activity group membership link

You may want to have a link so students can see who is in the groups. You must have at least one group created to be able to do this.

Important: A link that reveals group membership must only be used for activity groups. Such a link must never be used for the TCAL (Tramble Centre for Accessible Learning) group or any other group whose membership must be kept confidential for privacy reasons.

If the course does not already have a link in the Course Information area (or anywhere else on the Moodle page) named *** Group Members (Click to view) [where *** = Discussion, Assignment, Presentation, etc., as appropriate], then begin at step 1 below.

If this link already exists, click on it, then click Settings tab (at the top of the Moodle course page), and begin at step 5 below.

1. If editing is not turned on, click Edit mode (top right of the Moodle page) to turn it on.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the appropriate area on the Moodle site. Usually the Course Information topic area.
3. Click + at the bottom of the topic area and select Activity or resource.
4. In General area:
   • Type *** Group Members (Click to view) in Group choice name (where *** = Discussion, Assignment, Presentation, etc., as appropriate).
   • Ignore Description (leave this blank).
5. In Miscellaneous settings area:
   • Ignore Allow enrollment to multiple groups (default is unchecked – make sure this is unchecked)
   • Select Always show results to students in Publish results.
   • Select Publish full results, showing names and their choices in Privacy of results.
   • Select No in Allow choice to be updated.
   • Select No in Show column for unanswered.
   • Select No in Filter out response data for users….
   • Select Disable in Limit the number of responses allowed.
   • Ignore General limitation (should be greyed out and inaccessible).
6. In Groups area:
   • Click an activity grouping (e.g., “All Discussion Groups”, “All Assignment Groups”, “All Presentation Groups”, etc.) in  Available Groups on the left. Do NOT click on the TCAL group.
   • Click Add Grouping to move these groups to Selected Groups on the right.
   • Select Name in Sort groups by.
7. In Common Module area:
   • Select Hide on course page in Availability until you check that everything is the way you want it.
   • Ignore ID number blank.
   • Select Do not force in Force language.
   • Select No groups in Group mode.
8.  Click Save and return to course.
9. Move the link to an appropriate place (usually under Course Forums label within the Course Information topic area).
10. Once satisfied that it shows properly, show (unhide) the activity.

Related articles

• Manage Group Membership in Moodle (still under construction).

Feedback / Need help?

If you would like to offer suggestions for improvement, have questions about the instructions, or need additional assistance, please add a comment below or use the appropriate request form:

• Request Moodle Support
• Request ProctorU Support