Forums | E-Learning Practitioners

17 June 2013, 11:11

Hello

Is anyone allocating users to groups directly in QM+[Moodle] - ideally using a spreadsheet? rather than using the group allocation tool or getting students to self-enroll?

If so what method are you using?

Mark

19 June 2013, 10:10

Hi Mark. I've only done it manually. If you discover an automatic way I would love to know about it!

19 June 2013, 11:51

Hi Mark and Dominic,

Unfortunately, whilst it is technically possible to bulk upload students into groups using a spreadsheet - there's no way for us to give you the permission to do so without making you full site administrators for QMplus.  So, in short - you can't do it.

The helpdesk can do this for you though if you format your spreadsheet correctly.

Take a look at this FAQ.  It describes the instructions for site administrators (which you aren't) - the second doc shows the format the spreadsheet needs to take which should help you. https://helpdesk.its.qmul.ac.uk/helpdesk/WebObjects/Helpdesk.woa/wa/FaqActions/view?faqId=300237

I hope that future versions of moodle will allow us to isolate this permission so we can give it to course leaders.

Stella

19 June 2013, 13:37

What about giving permissions to learning technologists based in other schools?

19 June 2013, 15:34

Unfortunately it isn't a permission that can be restricted to certain areas of the system.  To upload groups you need to be a site administrator which means you are able to add, edit and delete all users, courses and categories etc across QMplus.  Not a role that should be extended beyond those who have a real need for it (ie, helpdesk, IT and the E-Learning Unit). 

Sorry Gary.

Stella

19 June 2013, 15:51

Thanks for the links Stella - I agree on the general point here, that it's a real weakness of the system that capabilities such as this can't be isolated and made available to super-users based in academic schools. Let's hope that this does become available in future.

In terms of allocating users into groups via a spreadsheet uploaded via helpdesk... It would appear that this is primarilly a method of user enrolment - i.e. users are enrolled onto a QMplus area directly into a specific group. Given that most of our module areas are enrolled automatically via MySIS integration, I would be interested to know whether it would be possible to use this method in order to place into groups users who are already enrolled.

All best,

Matthew

19 June 2013, 16:38

Yes - the same spreadsheet will organise those individuals already on your module into groups as well as enrol any who aren't, create any that don't exist, and create any groups that aren't already set up. 

24 June 2013, 12:28

Thanks Stella. But does this process not create an additional enrolment for each user that then over-rides SIS integration? In other words, if we were to use this to create and populate groups across our modules, wouldn't we effectively then have to manage user unenrolment manually (rather than relying on the SIS integration script)?

Best wishes,

Richard

27 June 2013, 12:19

Hi Richard,

Using the batch enrolment process, you have some additional settings that allow you to have greater control than you describe.

You can select from a number of upload types (1. Add new only, skip existing users 2. Add all, append number to usernames if needed 3. Add new and update existing users 4. Update existing users only).

By 'updating existing users only', only users currently enrolled on the system (the majority via SITS) would be affected by being placed into additional course groups.

Regards,

Lawal

28 June 2013, 11:01

Thanks Lawal, that's really helpful context.

It would be great if this capability (to organise into groups via spreadsheet upload) could be devolved to administrators at the category level, but I think we've been round that loop before and it's not possible?

Best wishes,
Richard