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Announcements and Inbox in CarmenCanvas

Watch: Check out this quick video that overviews the Announcements and Conversations (Inbox) tools in CarmenCanvas.

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Announcements in Canvas

Using Announcements in Canvas can be a great way to communicate course news, updates, or general information to students. Announcements are highly visible within your course, making them a great tool for relaying information. Encourage students to set up their notification preferences. (Setting up Notification Preferences). Including a statement about notifications in your welcome module can set you up for success!

Announcement Tip

Create Announcement templates that you can edit and then use each semester. Use the ‘delay posting’ option to schedule when you’d like students to receive specific announcements.

Conversations (Inbox) in Canvas

Conversations (Inbox) is a messaging tool within Canvas that is similar to email. A best practice for the use of this tool is as a communication method with a specific individual within a course. A message sent using Conversations will send an email directly to the student’s email inbox as well as show up in the student’s inbox within Canvas (if students have not changed their default settings.) Your course must be published before you are able to use the Conversations Inbox feature for that course.

Inbox Tip

All Inbox emails will be sent from notifications@instructure.com. If students state they are not receiving emails within their school email, they may check that the above email address is listed as an approved address.

Best Practice Idea: Welcome Message Announcement

Use Announcements to send a welcome message to your students before the class begins. Make sure your course is published so that you are able to send this announcement. If any students enroll after you send the announcement, they will still see your message when first logging into the course.

Welcome Message Templates

Below are some possible templates that could be used to create your course welcome message. Feel free to use any template, or even mix and match items from multiple templates.

Additional Resources

The Office of Distance Education and eLearning (ODEE) has resources and tutorials on the various communication tools within CarmenCanvas.