[ARCHIVED] Anyone using Groups just for organizational purposes? (Students complete assignments individually)

[jweise]

I would like to use groups for organizing the structure of the class. Students inside each group would complete work independently and individually. So, for example, Week 1: Each person in the Blue Group submits a short story. Each person in the Red Group provides a couple peer reviews on the stories of their choice.

Week 2: The Red Group submits a story. The Blue Group provides peer reviews.

I do not need either group to have a "group page" or "group identity." I can't figure out how to get this to work. I could just hold a class-wide workshop, but that would defeat the purpose of small workshops. Thanks for any help.

[kona]

 @jweise , there is no way to use "groups" in Canvas without the group page and identity. It's a package deal that can't be turned off. One way of doing this without formally using groups is tell the students what "group" they are in and then make adjustments in how you do things/use Canvas (so it's still group oriented, but without using groups).

Something else to think about - students don't get to "pick" who they peer review; it's either automatic or manual by the Instructor. The only way I could see this working is if (for example) the blue group (not a Canvas created group, just students that you told this is what "group" you are in) had a discussion form and each group member posted their short story to the discussion. Then the red group could go through and pick which ones they wanted to peer review. For the next week you'd just switch.

[jweise]

Hi Kona,

Thanks so much for clarifying. I like your suggestions about the informal use of groups. I could see that working.

If I don't name groups, can I still give assignments out on alternating days to specific students?

Or will the schedule/calendar lose some of its functionality?

Thanks,

Jillian

[kona]

I'm not sure what you mean by if you don't name groups - do you mean Canvas groups or do you mean if you don't informally name use groups with your students?

Technically yes, you can still give out assignments to students on alternating days using the differentiated due date tool - What do assignments with different due dates look like in Canvas? If you do this and want other students to have access to the same assignment (especially discussion) then you have to assign everybody a due date, they can just be different.

Does this make sense?

[jweise]

Hi Kona: I mean I would do what you suggested. Tell students they are in a group (via the syllabus/announcement) without formally placing them in a group. This would be to avoid Canvas' pro forma notion of groups with pages and identities.

Thanks for your additional help on different due dates. Certainly, all the students will need access to the assignment. Regardless of group. One group (informal) is writing the stories. The other group (informal) is reading the stories and offering critique. The first group needs an earlier deadline than the second group (to give them time to read). But both groups need access to the discussion forum. And they need overlapping access (for the reading time).

Please tell me if you see any potential obstacles to this approach.

Thanks,

Jillian

[kona]

No, it sounds like what you are proposing for the overlapping times would work fine. The biggest thing is that everyone needs access at some point - otherwise they'd never even see that the discussion/assignment existed.