This article will explain how to create groups in Blackboard Ultra. You can use groups for assignments, tests, discussions, and to filter the students shown in the gradebook. This guide also explains how to use groups to allow students to sign-up (self-enrol) to events or sessions, as well as advising on alternative workflows.
Please also see the video tutorial below for a brief overview of how to create groups.
Please also see the following pages for further detailed guidance on groups creation; Blackboard help pages. Please also see our guide that covers group creation specifically in discussions; discussions guide.
Group creation
Under details & actions > course groups, select view sets & groups. This will open the course groups page. - To create a new group, select new group set in the top right-hand corner. This will open a new page.
- Select the pencil icon to edit the name of the group set.
- From the group students drop-down menu, select the type of group you would like to create. Custom – create a single, custom group or as many groups as you want, with any number of students in each group. Randomly assigned – students are randomly assigned to the number of groups chosen. You need at least four students so the system can randomly assign students to at least two groups. You can assign students to groups quickly and without preparation. Reuse groups – existing groups are required to select this option. Self-enrol – students can self-enrol in groups. Please see the below section for further important information regarding self-enrol.
- The example in the image below is for a custom group. Select the pink plus icon to then add the custom groups for that group set.
- Each new group added will appear at the bottom of the page. Rename any groups, then select a listed student. A drop-down menu will appear for that student. Select the name of the group to assign them to it. The student will then appear listed under that group. Repeat these steps to add another grouping / assign students. Any groups created will appear back on the course groups page.
If you save a custom group set, return to that group set, and select custom again, your groups are deleted.
Students can access groups under details & actions on the left side of the course content page. Students can also access links to groups in course areas.
Bulk create groups
Under details & actions > course groups, select view sets & groups.- This will open the course groups page. Select the import group set option in the top right-hand corner.
- In the new panel that displays, select to download the example group sets template.
- Open the template on your device to enter your relevant groups data.
- Please see the example image of data to create groups. Under the group code heading, enter each unique group name. Under the title heading, enter the same information as the group codes. Under the group set heading, enter the overall name of the set of groups (such as Assessment 1). The description heading column can be removed. Under the self-enrol heading, change each row to ‘N’ for no instead of the default ‘Y’.
Upload your completed CSV file to the same panel and select import. Refresh the page view to see the new group set appear. You will also receive an email confirmation. The email will also explain if there were any errors in set up. Select the group set and check all settings are as you require.
Bulk import members
Click on the relevant group set name from the course groups page (in the example image Assessment 1).
If you do not know the group codes, you will first need to download and export the group information. If you have this information, you can skip this first step.
Download and export the group information to access group codes
- From the page that opens select the export arrow.
Then select group sets only and confirm to export.- Click back on the export arrow on the initial page again to open up the same panel again. This time click on the export tab. You will see a CSV file that you can now download. This will contain the group information for that group set. One column will contain the group codes that you can now use for importing members.
Download the members import template and upload your user membership data
If you have the relevant group codes, click on the relevant group set name from the course groups page and select the import arrow on the page that opens.
In the panel that appears, select the assign members tab, then select to download the members template.- You can now enter your data into the CSV file. The only required columns are the group codes and the usernames of the students. Start a new row for each student. Please see the example data in the below image.
- Upload your completed CSV file to the same panel / assign members tab and select import to confirm. Refresh the group set page view/ click on and off the page to see the members appear under each group. You will also receive an email confirmation. This will also explain if there were any errors in set up.
Ensure any groups and / or members are checked for correct set up after creation.
There are some important limitations to using Ultra self-enrol groups. This includes visibility settings, minimum number of required groups, and the ability to add an end date.
Ultra self-enrol groups have to be visible at all times. Users cannot select the self-enrol group type from the available drop-down menu if ‘visible’ is not selected in the top right-hand corner of the group set-up page. It is not possible to switch visibility on and off.
Ultra self-enrol groups also need to be set up as a minimum of two groups. The set-up page defaults to two groups. If one of the groups is removed, the set-up page will not save the set up and will request a second group is added again.
It is possible to add an end date to the self-enrol period. However, if an end date is included, Ultra will randomly assign any outstanding students to the self-enrol groups after the stated end date. Adding a start date only will not cause any random assign. There is a time delay after an end date before random assign occurs (approximately within a day).
We recommend staff consider creating an Office 365 poll / survey as an alternative if preferred. Please see the following link to our support page; Office 365 forms app guide.
Create self-enrol groups
If you still wish to use self-enrol groups, please see the following guidance.
- Under details & actions > course groups, select view sets & groups. This will open the course groups page.
- To create a new group, select new group set in the right-hand corner. This will open a new page.
- Select the pencil icon to edit the name of the group set.
- From the group students drop-down menu, select the self-enrol group type. Ultra self-enrol groups have to be visible at all times. Users cannot select the self-enrol group type from the available drop-down menu if ‘visible’ is not selected in the top right-hand corner of the group set up page. It is not possible to switch visibility on and off.
- Select the pink plus icon in the middle of the page to then add more groups for that group set.
- Under advanced options you can add a description, set enrolment periods (please see the above warning regarding end dates), maximum members per group and hide enrolled members from other students.
- Click save when you have finished adding groups. You can view the groups at any point to see which students have self-enrolled.
To sign-up to a group, students can click on the view groups to join link in the details & actions menu.
This will take them to the course groups page. Students also receive a course announcement.
And also an activity stream notification about groups they need to join.
Students can then select to choose to join a particular group. 
Students may also modify their choice (but not after an end date).
