How to Create Private Collaboration Sections in OneNote Class Notebook
Question details
The user wants to create isolated collaboration sections for specific student groups in a OneNote Class Notebook.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A teacher needs to set up private group work areas where each student group can collaborate without seeing other groups' sections.
- Observed behavior
- Needs to restrict access to specific sections within the Collaboration Space to selected students only.
Ensure you have an active school account with Microsoft Office 365 and are designated as a teacher in the OneNote Class Notebook.
Set up Private Collaboration Sections via Office.com
Manage your notebook permissions through the Class Notebook Wizard to add custom sections restricted to specific students.
By default, the general Collaboration Space is available to all class members. To facilitate isolated group work, you can create separate sections and manually assign permissions so only chosen students can view and edit them.
Log in to Office.com using the account provided by your school.
Select the 'Class Notebook' app from your dashboard, then choose 'Manage notebooks' within the Class Notebook Wizard.
Locate the specific class notebook you want to modify and click on 'Collaboration Space permissions'.
Click 'Add' to create a new section. Type in a name for this section, and use the provided checkboxes to select the specific student members who should have access to it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can students see the private collaboration sections assigned to other groups?
No. When you assign specific students to a newly created collaboration section, it remains completely hidden from any students who are not selected in the permissions list.
Can I change the student members of a private section later?
Yes, you can update permissions at any time. Return to the Class Notebook Wizard, select 'Manage notebooks', navigate to 'Collaboration Space permissions', and adjust the assigned students by checking or unchecking their names.
Will my changes affect the general Collaboration Space?
No, creating a private section does not alter the general Collaboration Space. The standard space will remain accessible to all class members for full-class collaboration.
