Messages Tool

The following video, instructions, and imagery will guide you through the process of viewing and sending messages in Blackboard Learn.

The Blackboard Learn Messages tool provides students with an email-like environment that they can use for course communication. Each student is given an account for every course they are enrolled in, and can use these accounts to send and receive messages from their instructor or classmates. Students’ UMass email accounts are not used, which provides students with privacy within their course. 

Viewing Messages

1. Click Messages on the Course Menu.

Click Message
(Click on the image to enlarge)

2. On the Messages page, click Inbox.

click inbox
(Click on the image to enlarge)

3. Once in your Inbox, click on the message you want to open.

Click on the message you want to view.
(Click on the image to enlarge)

4. When you are viewing your message, you have options to reply, forward, or delete it.

Highlighted options for the message you are viewing.
(Click on the image to enlarge)

Sending Messages


1. Click Messages on the Course Menu.
 
Click Messages
(Click on the image to enlarge)

2. On the Messages page, click on Create Message.
Click Create Message
(Click on the image to enlarge)

3. Click To and Input the people you would like to send your message to.

Click To and Input the people you would like to send your message to
(Click on the image to enlarge)

4. Click on the right-facing arrow to add individuals to the Recipients column.

Click on the arrow to add recipients.
(Click on the image to enlarge)

5. After the person you want to send a message to is in the Recipient column, type in a subject for your message.

Fill in Subject
(Click on the image to enlarge)

6. In the body of the content editor, type your message. If you need to add an attachment, click on Browse to search your computer for the file you want to share.

Sample text editor window for the message.
(Click on the image to enlarge)

7. When your message is complete, click on the Submit button to send it to the recipient.

Click Submit when done
(Click on the image to enlarge)


NOTE: Students and instructors cannot receive or send emails externally using the Messages Tool. Students and instructors must routinely check the Messages Tool in Blackboard to check for new messages.