Blackboard

Blackboard Communication Tools

Groups -- Instructors only

Instructors can create user workgroups. Each group of users can be given a private discussion board, chat area, dropbox, and email which are accessible only to members of the group (and to the instructor).

Creating Groups

1. Go to the User Management Control Panel.
2. Select Manage Groups
3. Click Add Group
4. Enter a name to identify the group
5. Enter a description of the group (optional)
6. Choose any of the following special options:

   Enable Group Discussion Board Function

   Enable Group Virtual Classroom Function

   Enable Group File Exchange Function

   Enable Group E-mail Function

   Make group visible now: (this lets the users see or not see the group)

   
   
   
   Note: In order for Groups to use the Discussion Board Function, the instructor must create a forum for discussions;  student group members are not able to create their own forum area.  To create the forum, click on the Communication button, choose Group Pages, and then one by one choose each group for which you need to create a forum.  Once on a Group's page, click on Discussion Board, and click Add Forum.  For further explanation of creating a forum, see the discussion board page.
7. Press the Submit button at the bottom of the screen.  You will be taken to a new page that confirms the creation of the group and all the necessary information for it.
   
   
8. To make changes to group membership or settings, or to add users to your group, go to User Management > Manage Groups and select the group with which you want to work. Click Modify. You will see the 4 management options: