Canvas gives you many options for communicating with your students - through Announcements, Conversations (internal Canvas messaging tool similar to email), chat (communication in real time), and web-conferencing.

Please note: we do not recommend using chat because its messages are not private.

Learn more about communication best practices in Canvas.

Further resources:

• What are Announcements?
• How do I use the Announcements Index Page?
• How do I make an announcement in a course?
• What is Conversations?
• How do I use Conversations?
• How do I compose and send a message?
• How do I attach a file to a message?
• How do I send a message to an entire class as an instructor?
• How do I send a message to my students from the Gradebook?
• How do I privately respond to one individual in a group message?
• How do I delete a conversation?
• What is Chat?
• How do I use Chat in my course?
• How do I view Chat history?