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Create and manage group sets

Overview​

Group sets let you organize students into smaller groups within your course for collaborative work, differentiated instruction, or logistical purposes. Each group set is a separate collection of groups; a student can belong to one group per group set.

Before you start​

  • You must be on the teaching team for the course.
  • Students must already be enrolled in the course to add them to groups.

Create a group set​

  1. Open your course.
  2. Select Roster from the course navigation.
  3. Look for a Group Sets section or tab; select Add Group Set or Create New Group Set.
  4. Enter a Group Set Name (e.g., "Project Teams", "Reading Groups", "Lab Sections").
  5. Optionally set:
    • Maximum Group Size (limit members per group; leave blank for no limit)
    • Group Creation Method (automatic, manual, or let students self-organize)
  6. Select Create or Save.

Your new group set is ready. You can now add students and create groups.

Add groups to a group set​

  1. Select the Group Set you just created.
  2. Select Add Group or New Group.
  3. Enter a Group Name (e.g., "Team A", "Group 1", "Biology Lab Section 1").
  4. Optionally select a Group Leader from the course roster (the leader is often a teaching assistant or lead student).
  5. Select Create or Save.

Repeat to create all groups in this set.

Add students to groups​

Method 1: Manual assignment​

  1. Open the Group Set.
  2. Select a Group to view its members.
  3. Select Add Students or + Add Member.
  4. Search for or select students from the course roster.
  5. Select Add or Confirm.

The students are now in that group.

Method 2: Bulk import​

Some courses let you upload a CSV file with group assignments:

  1. In the Group Set, select Import or Upload CSV.
  2. Upload a file with columns: Student Email, Group Name.
  3. TeachFront matches emails to students and assigns them accordingly.
  4. Select Import to complete.

Method 3: Random assignment​

For some group sets, you can randomize group assignments:

  1. Select the Group Set.
  2. Select Randomize or Auto-assign.
  3. Confirm the number of groups and group size.
  4. Select Assign to distribute students randomly.

Manage group membership​

Move a student between groups​

  1. Open the Group Set.
  2. Locate the student in their current group.
  3. Select Move, Change Group, or drag the student to another group.
  4. Confirm the new group assignment.

Remove a student from a group​

  1. Open the Group Set and the group containing the student.
  2. Locate the student and select Remove or Delete.
  3. Confirm removal.

The student remains enrolled in the course but is no longer in that group.

Change a group leader​

  1. Open the Group Set and select the Group.
  2. Select Edit or Change Leader.
  3. Search for and select the new leader.
  4. Select Save or Update.

Edit or delete a group set​

Edit a group set​

  1. From the Group Set, select Edit or Settings.
  2. Update the Name, Maximum Size, or other options.
  3. Select Save.

Delete a group set​

  1. From the Group Set, select Delete or Remove.
  2. Confirm deletion. (Deleting the group set does not remove students from the course.)
caution

Deleting a group set removes all group assignments but does not unenroll students. They remain in the course.

Using groups in coursework​

Once groups are created, you can:

  • Create group assignments — assignments where one submission is shared by all group members
  • View by group — filter the gradebook or assignment submissions to show only one group's work
  • Send group messages — post announcements visible only to specific groups
  • Assign group work — create group-only tasks or discussions

See related docs below for group assignment details.

Typical workflows​

Create lab sections​

  1. Create a Group Set called "Lab Sections".
  2. Set Maximum Group Size to 12 (your lab size limit).
  3. Create groups: "Lab A Monday", "Lab B Wednesday", etc.
  4. Import a CSV or manually assign students to sections.
  5. On lab assignment day, assign work to specific lab sections.

Manage project teams​

  1. Create a Group Set called "Projects".
  2. Let students self-organize or manually assign teams.
  3. Create Group Assignments for project milestones.
  4. View group submissions together when grading.

Differentiate instruction with reading groups​

  1. Create a Group Set called "Reading Groups".
  2. Assign students to groups based on reading level or preference.
  3. Create Reading Assignments that show different texts/prompts per group.
  4. Track comprehension using group-specific ratings.

Troubleshooting​

SituationWhat to try
Group Sets tab not visibleConfirm you are on the teaching team. Group Sets may be hidden if no groups have been created yet.
Can't add a student to a groupConfirm the student is enrolled in the course with a student role.
CSV import failedCheck that the file has headers "Email" and "Group Name", and emails match exactly.
Group leader dropdown emptyConfirm students/instructors are enrolled in the course; leaders must be course members.
Student appearing in multiple groupsA student should belong to only one group per group set. Check for duplicate assignments and remove as needed.
Can't delete a groupIf the group is linked to assignments, you may need to delete or reassign those assignments first.