What are student groups? Can I delete or disable student groups?

In course settings, there is an option to allow students to create their own groups. If at least one student-created group exists, you will see this in People > Groups > Student groups tab. Example:

These are self-organised groups which students can use to cooperate and collaborate on the course, outside of the groups you may create for them.

These groups do not affect the groups that you create, and membership of the groups you create.

If you do not want to allow such self-organised groups:

• Go to course Settings, bottom-most of the course navigation links,
• Click more options to expand the additional options, after which you will see options displayed similar to the screenshot below,
• Uncheck Let students organise their own groups, then
• Click Update course details.
  • Students will not be able to create new student groups.
  • However, students can still access any student groups that they already belong to.
  • Do check with the students if there is any critical information/resources in their student groups before deleting them.
  • You will still see the Student groups tab after unchecking the option to let students organise their own groups and deleting any existing groups. As long as the option is unchecked, they will not be able to create new student groups on their own.