How to Use the Moodle Messaging System

The Moodle Messaging System is an essential communication tool for Moodle-using students and instructors. Here are some easy steps explaining how to use this system for (a) sending messages and (b) receiving messages and replying.

Sending Messages

1. Anywhere you see another person's name as a link, you can click on it to be taken to that person's profile and send a message. You may see a person's name in the "Online users" block on the left side of any front page, or you may see the name in a discussion board. The easiest place to know you can find a person's name is in the "Participants" area.
2. Once in your class site, find the "People" block on the left side of the page and click on the "Participants" link.
   
   
   
   
3. On the participants page, you will see a list of everyone who is enrolled in the course. Click on the name of the person you want to message.
   
   
   
   
4. This will bring up that person's profile page. At the bottom of the person's profile, you will find a link that says "Send a message." Click that link to be taken to the "Messages" page. On this page, you will be able to see your message history (if any) with the person you have chosen to send a new message to.
   
   
   
   
5. To compose your new message, simply type what you want to say into the "Message" box at the bottom of the page, then click the "Send message" button.
6. If it is a person you are likely to contact regularly (instructor or group member), click the "Add contact" link at the top of the page beneath the person's profile picture.
   

Receiving Messages and Replying

1. If someone has sent you a message on Moodle, you will see a pop-up notification in the bottom right of your screen next time you log in to Moodle or, if you are already logged in when the message is sent, next time you navigate to a new page within Moodle.
   
   
   
   
2. A preview of the message will be shown in the pop-up notification. If you want to read the entire message, click on the "Go to messages" link at the bottom of the notification. If you cannot take the time to read the message at the moment you receive the notification, simply click "Ignore" and continue doing what you were doing. You will still be able to see that you have an unread message by looking for the "Messages" block. Notice the text bubble with a "1" next to it, indicating that there is 1 unread message.
   
   
   
   
3. To be taken straight to your unread message, click on the number next to the text bubble. This will bring you to the same messaging page we saw earlier. To reply, again just type what you wish to say into the "Message" area and click the "Send message" button.
4. While on this page, you can also view your message history with that person by using the "All messages" and "Recent messages" links at the top of the page below the profile pictures.

Advantages to Using the Moodle Message System

• It sends a message through Moodle and an email if necessary—all at once.
• It keeps a record of messages sent and received—for you and your instructor. This means there is documentation for each communication in class.
• While you are working on a class, you can send a message right from the course site while you are thinking of it.
• You do not have to try to find an email address, or be concerned whether it is current.

Rev. 07.07.13