Manage alerts and notifications guide

Messages in Moodle is an Instant Messaging option enabling chats with other Moodle users and groups.

A quick view of messages can be accessed by selecting the Messages icon (speech bubble) on the top of the Moodle page.

To access the full screen view of Messages, select the speech bubble, then 'See all' from the bottom of the Messages pane.

The Messages screen is displayed across a full page in 2 columns. The left column allows messages, users or groups to be selected. Messages are composed and displayed in the right column. Select the messages you want to view. 

Messages are organised into Starred, Group and Private categories. The number beside each one indicates how many messages are in that category. Select the respective category to view it:

• Starred indicates the number of starred conversations you have. 
• Group shows the number of group conversations you have.
• Private shows the number of conversations with individuals you have.

Input into the search input field to search for users and return the results of content of both instant messages and automatic notifications.

From the Messages screen you can send a message to an existing contact, or find other users using Search.

• To search for a user, type their name in the search input field and select the search icon. A list of possible users will be displayed. Select the required user.
• To search for your contacts, select Contacts under the Search input field. A red contacts tab will be displayed on the right and your contacts will be displayed. Select the required contact. 
• To send a message to a user you have sent a message to before, select either Starred to display starred conversations, or Private to view other previous conversations. Select the required user from the list.
• Your user will be displayed at the top of the message composition box. A notification if the user is online or offline will be displayed under their name.
• Type your message in the space indicated at the bottom of the messages screen. Select the smiley face to add emojis to your message.
• To send your message, select the arrow to the right of the message box. Your sent message will be displayed in the messages screen, together with any previous messages from or to that user.
• Each user also has a personal space in the messages screen where draft messages and notes can be added.
• To delete one or more messages from the user, select the message(s) and select the delete (dustbin) icon at the bottom of the screen. Select Delete to delete the selected message(s) from your messages screen. The message will not be deleted for other participants in the conversation. Or select Cancel to return to the messages screen. Select the message again to unselect it or select the cross at top next to Messages selected: X to remove all selections.

If enabled, students can communicate within their Moodle groups using group messaging. Group messaging needs to be enabled from the Group settings in the Moodle module, and staff need to be added to the Groups in order to view and/or participate in the group messaging. 

To send group messages:

1. Open the Messages screen, select group to see a list of group messages.
2. With your group displayed, type your message in the Write a message input field Select the smiley face to add emojis to your message.
3. To send your message, select the arrow to the right of the message box. Your message will be displayed above, together with any previous messages from or to that group.
4. To delete one or more messages from the group, select the message(s) and select the delete icon (dustbin) at the bottom of the screen. Select Delete to delete the selected message(s) from your message screen. The message will not be deleted for other participants in the conversation. Or select Cancel to return to the messages screen. Select the message again to unselect it or select the cross at top next to Messages selected: X to remove all selections. If enabled, the lecturer has an additional option to delete a group message for everyone in the conversation.  To delete the message for all group participants, check the box next to Delete for me and everyone before deleting the message.
5. With the group selected in the message screen, open the three dots menu to the right of the group name. 
   • Select Group info to display individual members of the group. To send a message to an individual member of the group, select a group member and follow instructions to send a message to individual users above.
   • Star conversation adds a group conversation to the starred message list.
   • Mute stops email notifications from the group being received. Muting a group displays a microphone crossed out by the group name in the messages screen.

You can build a list of contacts on your Messages page. This has two advantages:

1. Quick access to send messages.
2. Check if contacts are online.

To add a contact:

1. Open the Messages screen, select Contacts which displays underneath the Search box.
2. Input the name of the user. Possible contacts will be displayed.
3. When you have found your chosen contact, select their name.
4. Select the three dots menu to the right of the contact name to open the menu.
5. Select Add to contacts from the menu to add the selected user to your contacts.
6. Select Add to confirm.

1. Select Contacts under the Search box in the Messages screen. 
2. Select the Requests tab to see any pending requests.
3. Select the name of the requestor and select Accept and add to contacts to confirm.

In the Messages screen select a user. Messages for the selected user can be managed by selecting the three dots to the right of the user's name to open the menu. 

• Block user: prevents messages being sent to or from an individual user.
• Star conversation: adds a conversation to the starred message category.
• Mute: stops email notifications being received from the user. Muting a contact displays a microphone crossed out by the contact name in the Messages screen.
• Delete conversation: deletes the conversation with a user from your Messages screen. The conversation will not be deleted for other conversation participants. Press Delete to confirm or Cancel to return to the Messages screen.

You can restrict who can message you and also control your overall Notifications preferences from the User menu.

1. From the User menu select Messages. Select the settings icon next to the Search box. 
2. Under Privacy select My contacts only to receive messages only from your contacts, or select My contacts and anyone in my courses to receive messages from your contacts and users enrolled on the same modules as you.
3. Under Notification preferences set the slider to on (right) or off (left) to receive your notifications by Email or Web.