Using Canvas for study groups

You can set up study groups by using Canvas Groups functionality.
There are several ways that Canvas enables the creation of groups by tutors (instructors).

1. Automatically create groups: choose how many groups you want and Canvas will create them and divide the students between the groups.
2. Manually create groups: create a group and drag and drop students’ names into it.
3. Self-sign-up: Set the number of groups required, or the number of members per group and let students choose which group they want to join. This would be ideal for group presentations.
4. Student created groups: Students can create their own groups in Canvas.

Please note: students access Canvas groups from the Canvas global navigation, not from your Canvas module, so you should include the module code in each of the group names.

Features of Canvas groups

If you are a member of a Canvas Group, then you will be able to use an array of Canvas’s tools, including Announcements, Pages, Discussions, Files, Conferences and Collaborations.

You can use Announcements area to communicate important information about the study groups such as meeting times, places and agendas. All students in the group will be emailed. Each Canvas Group has a files storage area where they can collect material. Documents related to the study group can be stored there. You can use the Pages are to create a welcome page for your site or to share materials. You can use the Discussions area to discuss the topics you are learning. You can use them like forums with threaded conversations and options to share images, links and files. They are great for asynchronous communication.

Additionally, the Conferences feature in Canvas allows you to have live online meetings which can be recorded for anyone who missed the meeting (recordings are available for 14 days).

Alternatives to Canvas Groups

You don’t have to use Canvas Groups to create or facilitate study groups. You can organise study groups through other media platforms.

We suggest speaking to your module tutor to ask whether you can use Canvas Discussion to invite students to join your study group. You can then schedule a Zoom meeting (all student can create Zoom meetings using their Sussex accounts ) and post the link, date and time on the discussion board. You may also want to include a brief description of the study group’s aims and objectives (to discuss weekly readings, revision etc.). Those students who wish to join a study group, can then attend your Zoom meeting.

If you have interest from a large number of students, then you may wish to form smaller groups. We suggest 4-6 students as an optimum number for working effectively in study groups. This division can be done automatically by setting up breakout rooms via Zoom. Once groups are established, spend your first meeting agreeing the best mode of communication (e.g. WhatsApp , WeChat or Signal ). Don’t forget that you can share folders in OneDrive or Google Drive . You can also collaborate on ideas via Padlet . Students can sign up to Padlet for free and can create three walls at a time.