The Message System – Reference (Teacher)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1 Overview
• 2 Prerequisites
• 3 Getting Started
  • 3.1 Accessing the Messages Panel
  • 3.2 Understanding the Interface
• 4 Core Features and Functions
  • 4.1 Conversation Types
  • 4.2 Conversation Settings
  • 4.3 Message Options
• 5 Step-by-Step Workflows
  • 5.1 Starting a New Conversation
  • 5.2 Sending Messages and Files
  • 5.3 Managing Group Conversations
  • 5.4 Searching for Messages
  • 5.5 Deleting Messages (Teachers and Admins)
  • 5.6 Removing Users from Conversations
  • 5.7 Managing Course Conversations
• 6 Technical Information
  • 6.1 SignalR Real-Time Updates
  • 6.2 File Attachment Limitations
  • 6.3 Large Course Restrictions
  • 6.4 Disabled Messaging Feedback
  • 6.5 Mass Messaging
• 7 Troubleshooting
  • 7.1 Common Issues
  • 7.2 Message Delivery Problems
  • 7.3 Performance Issues
• 8 Related Features
• 9 Additional Resources

1 Overview

The Messages feature in itslearning enables real-time communication between teachers, students, and administrators. Teachers and administrators can moderate conversations by deleting messages, removing participants from group chats, and managing course conversations. Students can report abusive messages to teachers for review. All users with appropriate course permissions can access messages through the chat bubble icon in the main menu.

2 Prerequisites

3 Getting Started

3.1 Accessing the Messages Panel

Click the chat bubble icon in the main menu (top right of your screen) to access messages. A badge on the icon displays the number of unread messages.

The messages panel opens as a slide-in panel showing your conversation list.

3.2 Understanding the Interface

Main menu icon: Chat bubble with an unread message count badge.

Messages panel: Displays all conversations with the following information for each entry:

• Icon or avatar indicating the conversation type
• Conversation name or participant names
• Preview of the last message (one line)
• Timestamp of last activity
• Visual indicator for unread messages

New message button: Green button used to start new conversations.

Search field: Search across all conversations or within a specific conversation.

4 Core Features and Functions

4.1 Conversation Types

itslearning supports five conversation types:

4.2 Conversation Settings

Access conversation settings by clicking the settings icon (gear symbol) within any conversation.

Available for all conversations:

• Search in conversation
• Mark as unread
• View participants (avatar, name, title, role)
• Your relationship with the participant (for example, courses where you are the teacher)

Additional options for group conversations:

• Rename conversation
• Report abuse
• Leave conversation
• Close conversation
• Add participants
• Remove participants

Additional options for course conversations:

• Close conversation
• Delete conversation (teachers and admins only)
• Link to course participant page

4.3 Message Options

Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on any message to access message-level options.

For your own messages:

• Edit
• Delete message
• Forward
• Mark as unread

For messages from others:

• Forward
• Mark as unread
• Report abuse

5 Step-by-Step Workflows

5.1 Starting a New Conversation

1. Click the chat bubble icon in the main menu.
2. Click New message (green button).
3. In the Add recipients field, search for an individual person by name, a course name, or a project name.
4. Select recipients from the search results.
5. For multiple recipients, choose:
   • Group conversation for a shared discussion where all recipients can see each other's messages
   • Individual messages for separate 1:1 conversations with each person
6. Type your message in the text field.
7. Click the paperclip icon to attach a file (optional).
8. Click the green arrow button to send.

5.2 Sending Messages and Files

1. Open an existing conversation or start a new one.
2. Type your message in the Write message to… field.
3. To attach a file, click the paperclip icon and select a file from your device. The maximum file size is 20 MB.
4. Click the green arrow button to send.

5.3 Managing Group Conversations

To add participants:

1. Open the group conversation.
2. Click the settings icon (gear symbol).
3. In the Participants section, type a name in the search field.
4. Click Add participants (green button). The selected person joins the conversation immediately.

To remove participants (teachers and admins):

1. Open the group conversation.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Scroll to the Participants list.
4. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the participant.
5. Select Remove. The participant is removed from the conversation immediately.

5.4 Searching for Messages

To search within a single conversation:

1. Open the conversation.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Select Search in conversation.
4. Enter a search term. You can search for text content, attachment names, or links.
5. Review the search results.

To search across all conversations:

1. From the messages panel, use the search field at the top.
2. Enter a search term.
3. Review the matching conversations.

5.5 Deleting Messages (Teachers and Admins)

1. Locate the message to delete.
2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on the message.
3. Select Delete message.
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

All participants see the notice: "This message was removed by [Teacher Name]". The message content is permanently deleted.

5.6 Removing Users from Conversations

1. Open the group conversation.
2. Click the settings icon (gear symbol).
3. Scroll to the Participants section.
4. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the user.
5. Select Remove. The user is removed immediately and can no longer send or receive messages in that conversation.

5.7 Managing Course Conversations

To close a course conversation:

1. Open the course conversation.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Select Close conversation.
4. Confirm the action.

All participants see a "Closed conversation" status. No new messages can be sent, but the conversation history remains visible. The conversation can be reopened from settings.

To delete a course conversation (teachers and admins):

1. Open the course conversation.
2. Click the settings icon.
3. Select Delete conversation.
4. Confirm the deletion.

Participants can view the conversation history but cannot send new messages. A new course conversation can be started at any time.

6 Technical Information

6.1 SignalR Real-Time Updates

itslearning uses SignalR technology to deliver messages in real time. Conversations update automatically when new messages are sent, participants are added or removed, messages are edited or deleted, or conversation settings change. No page refresh is required.

6.2 File Attachment Limitations

The maximum file size per attachment is 20 MB. Multiple files can be attached to a single message. Files can be sent without accompanying text. All conversation participants can view and download attachments, which are displayed with a file icon and filename. If a file format is not supported, the system displays: "Sorry, you can't send (name of file)".

6.3 Large Course Restrictions

A limit of 300 participants applies to individual messaging. When a course or group exceeds 300 participants, individual messages are not possible and only group messages or course conversations can be used.

6.4 Disabled Messaging Feedback

Administrators can disable messaging for specific users or groups. When a teacher attempts to message a user with messaging disabled, the system provides feedback explaining why the message cannot be delivered.

6.5 Mass Messaging

Mass messaging allows administrators to send one-way messages to members of their hierarchies.

7 Troubleshooting

7.1 Common Issues

Cannot find a specific conversation

1. Use the search field in the messages panel.
2. Check whether the conversation was closed or deleted.
3. Verify you are searching in the correct account or course.
4. Check whether a participant left the conversation.

Badge shows an incorrect number of unread messages

1. Open each conversation with an unread indicator and scroll through to mark messages as read.
2. Refresh your browser if the badge does not update.
3. Log out and log back in if the issue persists.

Cannot send a message to a specific user

1. Check whether the user has messaging disabled. You will receive a notification if so.
2. Verify the user is enrolled in the relevant course.
3. Confirm that communication rules allow messaging this person.
4. Check whether you have the appropriate permissions.

7.2 Message Delivery Problems

Message failed to send

File attachment will not upload

1. Verify the file size is under 20 MB.
2. Check that the file format is supported.
3. Try converting the file to a different format.
4. For larger files, use course resources as an alternative.
5. Split large files into smaller parts if necessary.

7.3 Performance Issues

Messages not updating in real time

1. Refresh your browser.
2. Check your internet connection stability.
3. Disable browser extensions that might block SignalR.
4. Clear the browser cache.
5. Try a different browser.

Conversation loads slowly with many messages

1. Use the search function to locate specific content instead of scrolling.
2. Close and reopen the conversation.
3. Consider starting a new conversation for new topics.
4. Report persistent performance issues to itslearning support.

8 Related Features

9 Additional Resources

Service Status
Check the current status of itslearning services.
https://status.itslearning.com/

Ideas Portal
Submit ideas and help shape the future of itslearning.
https://ideas.itslearning.com/

Roadmap
View the itslearning product roadmap.
https://itslearning.com/global/roadmap/