The Conversation Inbox is a messaging system within your course that allows you to communicate with your students at any time. It functions much like any other email system.
Access the Conversation Inbox
To access the Conversation Inbox, click the Inbox link [1] in the Help Corner. There is a message indicator [2] that will let you know how many unread messages you have in your Inbox. Once you read your new messages, the indicator will disappear.
The Conversations Inbox is divided into two windows. All sent and received conversations are listed on the left side of the screen [1]. Conversations are listed chronologically from newest to oldest with the newest conversations appearing on top and the older conversations appearing towards the bottom. The conversations message preview window is displayed on the right side of the screen [2].
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Conversation Inbox Functions
From within the Conversation Inbox, you can:
- Filter messages by type: Click the downward arrow on the Inbox button.
By default, the Inbox option is always selected and will display all messages in your inbox. To view other message types, select the option you would like to view. You can select from the following message types:- Unread
- Starred
- Sent
- Archived
- Discussion Replies
- Filter messages by course or user: Type the course name or user name directly in the filter field [A] or click the Address Book icon [B] on the left side of the filter field to select the courses that are available to you.
Once you select your course filter, you will be given the option to select all/specific course users, all/specific teachers or all/specfic students associated with that course.
- Compose a new message: Click the new message icon or begin typing your message in the message window on the right side of the screen.
- Enter the recipient's name in the To: field. When you start typing an individual's name in the To: field, the course site will automatically populate matching names. If multiple names appear, use the arrow key to select the individual you want to message. Then press Enter. The individual's name will appear in the To: field, highlighted in light blue.
- Use the Address Book function to add recipients in the To: field. From the address book, locate the individual(s) and select his/her name. Names are arranged by last name.
Please Note: If multiple recipients are added to the message, you will see message below the message field indicting that this is a group conversation. Check the check box if you would like recipients to see all replies.
- Type your new message or conversation response in the message field.
- Click on the Attach link to attach files to your message.
- Click the Send button to send your message.
Please Note: An email notification email will be to the email associated to the recipient(s)' account, notifying them that a message has been sent to them within the course. Users will also see a notification on the Notification page when they first log into their course. You can adjust the notifications that your receive for conversations. For further additional informaiton regarding adjusting your conversation notifications preferences, please refer to the Change My User Settings Help Page.
- Reply to a message: Select the message to which you would like to reply to in the Inbox. This will display any responses associated with that particular message in the message window on the right side of the screen. You may begin typing your response to the user(s) and then send the message.
- Access conversation options: Hover your mouse over the date listed for each message and click the settings icon to access the message options.
- Mark as Read: Mark a message as having been read. (Note: If the message has been read, this option will be shown as Mark as Unread.)
- Star : Staring conversations allows you to see important messages at a glance.
- Archive a message: Messages can be archived so that they no longer display in the Inbox list, but will not be deleted from your inbox and can be viewed at a later time by filtering by Inbox type.
- Delete a message: Messages can be deleted from your Inbox when you no longer need them.
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Conversation Inbox Indicators
From within the Inbox window, you will see different indicators displayed. These indicators will help provide you with the following information regarding the messages in your Inbox:
- Unread Messages: A blue circle indicates that the message has not been read.
- Starred Messages: A yellow star indicates that you have marked the message as important.
- Replied: The grey arrow indicates that you have responded to the message.
- Number of Replies: The number, highlighted in grey, indicates the number of replies between you and the student(s) that have occurred.
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