Communicating with Students

Overview

There are many ways to communicate with students within and outside of Canvas. This section highlights some of the tools you may find useful. The key to effective communication is to develop a strategy and inform students of what methods will be used and how to contact you (on the first day of class & outlined on the syllabus). 

 

Using Canvas Announcements

Announcements can be used to broadcast information to your students through your specific course site. Every announcement is stored on your Canvas site and also emailed to your students. Not all students get Canvas notifications, though, so informing your students on how you wish to communicate with them is key. If you want to use Canvas Announcements over email, be sure to encourage students to make sure their announcement notifications are turned on following How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as a student? Links to an external site. 

 

Canvas Announcements Video Overview

Video of Canvas Announcements tool

 

Using Class VT Google Group

If you wish to use email instead, consider using your Class VT Google Group. Around the beginning of each semester, each class at Virginia Tech has a VT Google Group automatically created for it. 

To find your class' google group email address, see Logging on to and Viewing your VT Google Groups (for Owners and Members).

 

Canvas Inbox

The inbox is located in your Canvas global navigation. You can use this mailbox to email students as a whole or individual students. It is synched with your VT Gmail account.

 

Play media comment.

Video of Canvas Inbox

 

Canvas Chatroom

The chatroom is located in the course navigation bar. If you do not see it, you may need to enable it in your course settings Links to an external site.. The chatroom can be used to discuss assignments or just hold virtual office hours.  It is recommended that for more personal questions or concerns that students email the instructor since the chatroom is visible to everyone in the course. Instructors can delete posts as needed. 

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Image: Canvas course chatroom

 

Best Practices

  • Develop a communication strategy before the start of class and add it to your syllabus.
  • Keep your communication strategy consistent 
  • Review your syllabus the first day of class and make sure students understand how the communication strategy works
  • Communicate with students resources and troubleshooting protocols (e.g., technical support, assessment issues).
  • Use announcements as a broadcasting tool for important information such as due date or meeting changes, reminders, or interesting news or events that may be beneficial.
  • Use the inbox to easily email each student in the class.

  

Additional Resources