Forums and Mailing Lists with Google Groups

Why use Google Groups
Google Groups is a web and email discussion service. Users can join an existing group or make a group. Group members can publish, read, search, or reply to posts.

Google account
Google Groups requires a Google account to use. For instructions on account creation and signing in see Access to Google Services

Joining a Google Group forum/mailing list
For course-related forums/mailing list, the instructor will give you the URL and email address of the Google Group you have to join.
 * Use the URL to access the group's site
 * Click Join this group link
 * Enter your Google Account credentials
 * Edit your membership:
 * Select the frequency with which you get emails from the group. Select Email: Send each message as it arrives.
 * Enter a nickname. It is highly recommended that the nickname helps your classmates to know who you are.
 * Save the settings and go to Members to edit your profile

On the Members page, you'll your name. Click on it and then click on Edit link at the top of the page, left corner. Enter your full name and choose a picture (of any kind).

How to make use of the forums
The right side of the page shows the main sections of the group that are used. The other options: About this group and Edit my membership let you view general information about the group and change the settings on your profile.
 * Home will bring you to the home page.
 * Discussions show the list of topics which are being discussed and let you create a new discussion.
 * Members displays the current list of group members.

Adding a profile picture
Adding a picture helps other group members see who is posting to the group. It is important to add a picture to both new Google Groups and the older version, that way no matter what version is being used everyone can see who has posted.

New Google Groups (Recommended)

 * New Google Groups uses your Google Profile to insert your image in group posts.
 * Once logged into your Google groups account, select your name/email on the top right side of the screen.
 * Select "Profile" from the drop-down list.
 * Select "Edit profile" on the Google profiles screen.
 * On the left side, select "Change Photo".
 * Choose an image to upload from the list of locations.
 * Crop the image, and then select "Set as profile photo".
 * When you go to the New Google Group, a dialog box should appear asking you how you would like others to see you. Select the box next to "Link to my Google profile and show my photo on posts". Then select "OK". This will set your image for the new Google Groups.
 * If this dialog box does not appear, select "Members" on the top right side of screen.
 * Select "change" underneath the image (or lack of image) for yourself.
 * This will display the dialog box to link your Google profile to your Group posts.

Old Google Groups

 * Select "Members" on the right side of the group you are in.
 * Select your own name from the list of members.
 * Select "edit", which is next to "My profile" above your name and location.
 * Select "Select a picture to use as your Groups Photo", which is next to "My Picture" (first option).
 * A new dialog box will appear. Select "Browse" to select a picture located on your computer to upload.
 * Then select "Upload picture".
 * Next a preview of your picture will be displayed, this is where you can crop your picture.
 * Once picture is loaded next to "My Picture", be sure to select "Save" at the bottom of the "Edit my profile" page.

Group manager information
Being a group manager allows more control over how the group is designed. Typically this is the responsibility of an instructor and students are simply users of the group.

If students who are members of a team wish to create their own group for communicating amongst themselves then the following information will guide you through that process and explain some of the management tools.

How to set up a forum/mailing list
After signing in go to https://www.google.com/accounts. Under Try something new there is a link that says: More >> Follow that link and look for the Groups link in the Communicate, show & share section and click on Groups.
 * 1) Look for a button called Create a group... which lets you create a new group and click on it.
 * 2) On the Create a Group page type in the name for the group to be called.
 * 3) Enter a description for the group to explain its purpose.
 * 4) Select the Restricted Access level so that only the specified users may use the group.
 * 5) Click the Create my group button.
 * 6) Type in the text shown in the picture and click Create my group.
 * 7) Type in the members you wish to invite or just click the Skip this step button.
 * 8) Group creation is complete and is now ready to use.

Group management
About this group - Edit the description for the group Edit my membership - Adjust the preferences for your profile Group settings - Lets you change features under the tabs General, Access, Appearance, Navigation, Email delivery, Categories, Advanced, and Spam controls. Management tasks - View and change settings for each member of the group. Invite members - Invite new members to participate in the group.