Allow Groups to be created right from StoryMaps

[ShanaCrosson2]

At my academic institution, StoryMaps users often need a Group for collaborative editing or sharing StoryMaps.  Sometimes multiple editors need access to a StoryMap for a class group project or departmental content, other times a group or class may need a private space to share StoryMaps without making them open to the Organization.

Having to go into AGOL to set up groups is a significant barrier for those who are just using StoryMaps. If someone is just using StoryMaps, they do not see/understand the connection to AGOL and it is very, very confusing. Plus, the difference between a Shared Update Group and a Group without Shared Update capabilities is very confusing. It requires that the user reach out to the help desk to create the group, or those of us supporting StoryMaps create all the groups for them. It just adds a layer of extra confusing work.

We would really like to have an easy way to create groups (both Shared Update and non) right from the ArcGIS StoryMaps interface.

[ShanaCrosson2]

The primary use case for this request is to make it easier for the StoryMap owner to add other editors to their StoryMap. Students expect to be able to share StoryMap editing like they share a Google Doc. As I mentioned above, the whole concept of AGOL Groups is confusing. If there is another way to add users who can also edit (or view) besides creating a group, that would work even better than creating Groups. 

[ElizabethTulanowski1]

On a related note, I think it would be useful to be have more options for sharing and viewing that are more flexible. This could be through either a different way to create groups as the original post is suggesting, or perhaps sharing a StoryMap to only those with the link (an option that Google docs and YouTube both have)

[AmyWork3]

This would be a great addition to support those students who are asked to create StoryMaps as a final project. The students have no/little GIS experience and won't necessarily use the ArcGIS Online side of things. This places the task of creating groups either on the professors or someone else to help create a group and set it up. Yes, the students can do so, but if they could create a group and identity the group members directly from the ArcGIS StoryMaps site, it would make using and sharing StoryMaps with others easier for all involved.