About Canvas Messages (Inbox)

Canvas has its own built-in messaging tool called the Inbox, found in the left-hand Canvas menu. Messages sent through the Inbox are kept in Canvas, so all communication with your students stays in one place.

How it works:

• Students get your message in two places. It shows up in their Canvas Inbox, and by default Canvas also emails a copy to their CVCC student email. Students can change how they’re notified in their own Canvas Notification settings.
• Replies come back to you the same way. When a student replies, you’ll see it in your Canvas Inbox, and you’ll also get an email notification at your CVCC email.
• You can reply from your email. Replying to a Canvas notification email sends your response back into the Canvas conversation. The student sees it in Canvas, just like a message sent from the Inbox.
• Notification emails come from Canvas, not from you. They’re sent from a Canvas notification address (), so ask students to check their spam or junk folder if they don’t see your messages.
• Set up your Canvas signature once. Canvas doesn’t use your Outlook signature, but you can create one for your Canvas messages. In your Inbox, click Settings, choose Signature On, enter your name and contact information, and click Save. Your signature will be added automatically to the messages you write in the Inbox from then on.

Tip: To make sure you see student messages quickly, check your Notification settings in Canvas under Account > Notifications. Make sure “Conversation Message” is set to notify you right away.

Sending a Message

1. From the Dashboard, Click “Inbox” on the left navigation menu

   

2. Click “Compose” in the top right-hand corner

   

3. Click in the “Select Course” dropdown box and then click the course you want to message

   

4. Click the small address book icon to the right of the “To:” field

   

5. Click to select the people you would like to message — selecting the “All in” option will send the email to all members of the course.

   

6. Enter a subject and a message

   Additionally, you can attach files and/or media to the message using the buttons in the bottom left-hand corner.

   If you’ve set up your Canvas signature, it will be added to your message automatically. If not, be sure to include a greeting and sign off with your name and contact information before sending.

   

7. Click “Send” to send your message