Group tools

The Groups area in UTSOnline is equipped with options (tools) to support the collaborative processes of virtual teams. Based on the tasks and work assigned, you can select which options to make available to the team and you can assign resources to the team. Although the following options are available to the team, this does not preclude the group from also using other social networking and collaborative tools available online.

These further sections of the IML site will also help you with group work in your subject:
1. Enhancing Experiences of Groupwork and 2. Using Spark^PLUS to promote equitable participation in group tasks.

Group options	Uses
Assignments	Instructors can create an assignment and release it to a specific group within a subject. Only the instructor and the members of that group have access to the assignment. When a Group Assignment is created, an assignment column is automatically added to the grade centre. Group Assignments that have been submitted, but not graded, are indicated with an exclamation mark—the Needs Marking icon—in the Grade Centre. After receiving and reviewing submissions from Group Assignments, instructors can grade and offer comments on the submissions. The grade and comments are then returned to the entire group.
Blog	The group can create entries on the same blog, building upon one another’s entries. Members of other groups will be able to see, read and comment on the blogs of all groups, but will only be able to create new entries if they are a group member. Group blogs have a grading option that can be added by the instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Centre for each group member.
Collaboration	This Collaboration tools includes online chat, whiteboard and a web browser. Use the group chat (this is text based messaging) to have regular group meetings at an agreed time to quickly sort out any problems and make sure that everyone is on track with their tasks. The group can create as many chat areas as they wish. It is a good idea to create a new chat for each meeting time as this makes it easier for any group member to view the archive of that chat to review what was said or what the group agreed to do. Coordinators and tutors can also use the group chat to have 'office-hours' style chat sessions in this group area. Use the group virtual whiteboard (aka 'virtual classroom') to paste (or draw/add) images, equations and text. Annotate these with the pen, text, line, shape or equation editor tools. Use the group web browser to open and explore a web page so that the entire group can see and share it – e.g. do a database search in the library or show where you found information or resources on the website of a relevant professional association.
Discussions	Anyone in the group, including tutors/coordinators can create and manage their own forums and discuss topics with only the group members. This discussion forum is visible only to the group members. Group discussions have a grading option that can be added by instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Center for each group member.
Email	Send email one or all members of the group. By default, the email is sent to the UTS mail account. If someone has forwarded their UTS mail to another mail client (like gmail for example), then the email will be automatically forwarded to their account.
File Exchange	Share and store files with other group members. All members, as well as tutors/coordinators can add files. They can also delete files, regardless of who added them.
Journal	The group journal is almost identical to the group blog tool. The main difference is the on-screen layout of the journal more closely resembles a familiar paper-based journal. Group journals have a grading option that can be added by instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Center for each group member.
Tasks	Group members can create their own group to-do list. This can also be used to create tasks, milestones and deadlines and add a priority flag (high, low, normal) and a status (in progress, completed, not yet started) to each entry.
Wiki	Users within the group can edit and view their group wiki. The instructor can view and edit a group wiki. Group wikis have a grading option that can be added by the instructor.

Group options

Uses

Assignments

Instructors can create an assignment and release it to a specific group within a subject. Only the instructor and the members of that group have access to the assignment.

When a Group Assignment is created, an assignment column is automatically added to the grade centre. Group Assignments that have been submitted, but not graded, are indicated with an exclamation mark—the Needs Marking icon—in the Grade Centre. After receiving and reviewing submissions from Group Assignments, instructors can grade and offer comments on the submissions. The grade and comments are then returned to the entire group.

Blog

The group can create entries on the same blog, building upon one another’s entries. Members of other groups will be able to see, read and comment on the blogs of all groups, but will only be able to create new entries if they are a group member.

Group blogs have a grading option that can be added by the instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Centre for each group member.

Collaboration

This Collaboration tools includes online chat, whiteboard and a web browser.

Use the group chat (this is text based messaging) to have regular group meetings at an agreed time to quickly sort out any problems and make sure that everyone is on track with their tasks.
The group can create as many chat areas as they wish. It is a good idea to create a new chat for each meeting time as this makes it easier for any group member to view the archive of that chat to review what was said or what the group agreed to do. Coordinators and tutors can also use the group chat to have 'office-hours' style chat sessions in this group area.

Use the group virtual whiteboard (aka 'virtual classroom') to paste (or draw/add) images, equations and text. Annotate these with the pen, text, line, shape or equation editor tools.

Use the group web browser to open and explore a web page so that the entire group can see and share it – e.g. do a database search in the library or show where you found information or resources on the website of a relevant professional association.

Discussions

Anyone in the group, including tutors/coordinators can create and manage their own forums and discuss topics with only the group members. This discussion forum is visible only to the group members.

Group discussions have a grading option that can be added by instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Center for each group member.

Email

Send email one or all members of the group. By default, the email is sent to the UTS mail account. If someone has forwarded their UTS mail to another mail client (like gmail for example), then the email will be automatically forwarded to their account.

File Exchange

Share and store files with other group members. All members, as well as tutors/coordinators can add files. They can also delete files, regardless of who added them.

Journal

The group journal is almost identical to the group blog tool. The main difference is the on-screen layout of the journal more closely resembles a familiar paper-based journal.

Group journals have a grading option that can be added by instructor. The grade is automatically given to all the members of the group and is populated in the corresponding column in the Grade Center for each group member.

Tasks

Group members can create their own group to-do list. This can also be used to create tasks, milestones and deadlines and add a priority flag (high, low, normal) and a status (in progress, completed, not yet started) to each entry.

Wiki

Users within the group can edit and view their group wiki. The instructor can view and edit a group wiki.

Group wikis have a grading option that can be added by the instructor.

News

News

{title}

Contact

Contact

Group tools