Outlook email is the best option when communicating with students. You can create a class group in Outlook in a few steps.

1) Log into MyPortal and access your Faculty section

2) In the Faculty Course Information section, select the drop-down next to your course. Select the Class List option. 

3) Select the Export to Excel link toward the upper-left. 

4) Open the excel file. Highlight all the students in the Email category and either use the CTRL+C keyboard shortcut or right-click and select Copy. 

5) Open Microsoft Outlook and select the People option at the bottom. 

6) Select New Contact Group from the top banner. 

7) Give the group a name. Using the course name from Moodle is a good option. Then select the Add Members button in the top banner. Select the option From Address Book from the drop-down. 

8) In the screen that opens, paste the previously copied email list into the box next to Members using the CTRL+V command or right-clock and selecting paste. Then select the OK button in the lower-right of the menu. 

9) Select the Save and Close from the top banner of the newly created contact group.