---
title: "Sending Messages"
type: "article"
space: "Blackboard Ultra"
author: "Anh Lam"
created: 2022-10-31T18:34:02Z
updated: 2024-02-02T23:10:08Z
tags: ["blackboard-ultra", "communicating-in-ultra", "messages-in-blackboard-ultra", "ultra"]
url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/communicating-and-collaborating/15628/sending-messages"
---

# Sending Messages

Messages allows you to communicate with your students inside your course.

**Important Update \(May 9, 2023\)Note:** Students **cannot reply** to messages/course messages. Course messages only go to the students that are "currently in the course" which means that any student enrolled after a course message is sent will **not** be able to view the message. Additionally, students **cannot send** messages to either the instructor or to other students.

[Creating Announcements](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/communicating-and-collaborating/15572/creating-announcements) allows you to communicate statements to your entire class. Announcements must be read by students before entering the course content and will stay visible on their activity screens.

* * *

### Creating a Course Message

1. Select **Messages**from the navigation bar.
![Screenshot of step 1 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=1bDXefpczAxxaPlNrIGMag%3D%3D)
2. Select the **plus icon \(+\)** from the right-hand side of the screen to create a new message.  
![Screenshot of step 2 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=zBezgq1SNyGkTINlK8jaDA%3D%3D)
3. Select the **Type** **a name**. A drop-down menu appears. ![Screenshot of step 3 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=iqSLnNmWD5XQoHT31JX4fw%3D%3D)
4. Select the recipients you want to send the message to. **Note:**You can send a message to everyone in the course, just the instructors, just the students, or select individuals.
**Note:**Students **cannot reply** to messages.
![Screenshot of step 4 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=dWGilJGuhgeS3AMuhpqPWQ%3D%3D)
5. Students will only receive an email copy of the message. They are unable to reply or create new messages.
6. Select the **Message** **text box**to enter your message. ![Screenshot of step 7 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=i%2BsVaA7tMIzYTERM0RV0GA%3D%3D)
7. Select **Send.** Message is sent. ![Screenshot of step 8 on Creating a Course Message as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=IcKM%2FDJRYAIBLvwi53p1%2Bw%3D%3D)

* * *

### Message Notifications

You can be aware of messages in different ways.

- If the sender opts to send an email copy, you will receive an email notifying you that you received a message. While you can read the message in the email, you cannot respond via email. You will have to enter the course.
- You can configure notifications for certain events, such as messages. See the [Configuring your Learn@Seneca Profile](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/communicating-and-collaborating/16170/configuring-your-learn-seneca-profile "Configuring your Learn@Seneca Profile") article for more information.
- You can see a notification beside the Messages app in the Learn@Seneca homepage:
![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=kGwc2Ga3KCASTUtP2s8YBQ%3D%3D)
There will be a notification beside the course that has the new message:
![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=qowXFRyc8Gqvqq3qOZ0emw%3D%3D)

* * *

### Video

This short video covers messages and takes a quick look at its features.

* * *

**How did you find this article?** Use the like button below if you found this article helpful.

## Attachments

- [image_32718381931675089398543.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=1bDXefpczAxxaPlNrIGMag%253D%253D)
- [image_18587309241675089562504.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=zBezgq1SNyGkTINlK8jaDA%253D%253D)
- [image_28578162851675089968394.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=iqSLnNmWD5XQoHT31JX4fw%253D%253D)
- [image_87077662461675090209884.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=dWGilJGuhgeS3AMuhpqPWQ%253D%253D)
- [image_41869815691675093190777.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=i%252BsVaA7tMIzYTERM0RV0GA%253D%253D)
- [image_494511368101675093370263.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=IcKM%252FDJRYAIBLvwi53p1%252Bw%253D%253D)
- [image_96653692731675099688835.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=kGwc2Ga3KCASTUtP2s8YBQ%253D%253D)
- [image_75451777541675099729929.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=qowXFRyc8Gqvqq3qOZ0emw%253D%253D)