While the Messages tool is available in the Original Course View, its use is not recommended due to the difficulty of accessing Messages and the lack of notifications for new or unread messages in the Original Course View. It is easy for both faculty and students to overlook a message in the Original Course View. Instead, use the Send Email tool for communication with students.
Messages are the primary method of communication in the Ultra Course View. Unlike sending email in the Original Course View, Messages retains a copy of the content within Blackboard while allowing the sender to choose whether the content is sent via email.
Messages can be sent and read from the base navigation, where a notification badge indicates the number of unread messages. They can also be sent from the Messages tab in the upper right corner of the Ultra Course View. Unread messages appear first in the list. Each message displays the profile picture of the creator. Under the creator's name, you can view how many participants are included or if the message is for the whole class.
When messages are sent to more than one recipient, they may be sent as individual messages (i.e., blind copied, other recipients not visible) or group messages (i.e., carbon copied, recipients visible to all), depending on how and where they are sent. A statement just below the recipients list will indicate whether it is an individual or group message.
Messages with multiple recipients are treated as group messages (i.e., CC, other recipients visible) when sent from the following locations:
Messages with multiple recipients are treated as group messages (i.e., CC, other recipients visible) when sent from the following locations:
Messages with multiple recipients are treated as individual messages (i.e., BCC, other recipients not visible) when sent from the following locations:
Messages can also be sent from the student list in the gradebook, to facilitate communication while grading.
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