Canvas Inbox - Communicating in the Virtual Environment
As an Online and Live Virtual student, you have several different modes of communication available to you. It is important to understand how various communication tools work and when it is appropriate, if at all, to use each mode of communication.
The Inbox tool allows you to send messages to, and receive messages from anyone enrolled in the course, including the instructor and your classmates.
The Inbox tool is your primary method for communicating with your instructor about course-related issues.
Overview:
This is for all private messages between you and your instructor.
You will not have a separate inbox for each course; however, you can filter messages by course. It will display ALL messages from ALL your courses but it is NOT the same as your Webster email. The Canvas Inbox is connected to your Webster email account and you can receive a copy of an Inbox message if you have your Notifications defined accordingly.
For example, if you set the notification for Conversation Inbox messages to "ASAP", a copy of the message will display in your Webster email account when it is sent. One great reason for doing this is: You can respond to the message via the notification in your Webster University email account. Please note, however, that any attachments you add to the message will NOT display in the Inbox for the receiver of your message. If you need to send attachments, start or reply to the message in Inbox.
Video:
<span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span><span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span>&lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;
Features:
To access the Inbox, click on the Inbox link to the left of your screen in the Global Navigation.
You'll know that you have a new conversation message when you see a number next to the Inbox link, as shown below.
Though Conversations in the Inbox are technically not email, you will find that the tool shares some similarities with web-based email applications.
Features are listed below and viewable on the image below the list.
Inbox options
- A list of messages will display in the left pane.
- Messages are grouped by conversation and sorted so that the most recent message appears first.
- New messages in a conversation will display with dot to the left and number count of messages to the right.
- Clicking on a message loads the full text on the right side of the screen.
Filters – Filter messages by course, by Inbox, (Unread, Starred, Sent, Archived, and Submission Comments) or through the search to locate a group or person.
New Message (Pencil Icon)
- To start a message, click the New Message
icon.
- To find potential recipients, type a name, course, or group in the To: box, view the drop-down list, and click on the appropriate choice.
- For courses or groups, you will be asked to select all members, specific roles, or check boxes next to individual names.
- Enter text, attach documents, and/or record a video or audio message.
- Click Send to finish your message, which will now appear in your list of Conversations on the left.
- Check the box "Send individual messages", if you want each recipient to receive an individual message.
More options – Click the gear icon to view more options
Canvas Guides: