[ARCHIVED] Study groups in Canvas - do not notify Instructor?

[jcorbally138]

I have set up study groups for my classes, to work together in the course, on papers and on the final eventually. They are randomly assigned to groups of 4s and 5s. All fine. However:

1. I do not want to be notified every time they communicate in Canvas. I want students to work without worrying about what I'm thinking. How do I change that setting so I don't get emails and the group can work in private?

2. Can they work on IM in Canvas? Or is Discussions the only way students can collaborate (aside from exchanging phone numbers, which I'd rather deter)

Thank you, John