Chat and messaging
Hold two-way conversations — automatic class channels, direct messages, and broadcast channels — with the right people.
Messaging is for two-way conversations, unlike one-way announcements. It works on web and mobile, in real time. There are three kinds of conversation, and clear rules about who can message whom.
Who this is for
Teachers, students, parents, and administrators staying in touch.
The three kinds of conversation
| Conversation | What it is |
|---|---|
| Class channel | A group chat created automatically for each class, from its teacher assignments. The teacher leads it and the class's students are members. |
| Direct message | A private one-to-one conversation between two people — allowed only between people connected through a class (see below). |
| Broadcast channel | A channel created by an administrator or teacher, where some members can post and others are read-only. |
Class channels set themselves up
You don't create class channels by hand. When a teacher is assigned to a class, a channel is created with the teacher as owner and the students as members. Students are added or removed as they enrol, transfer, or leave, and old channels are archived when the year ends.
Who can message whom
Direct messages are limited to people who share a real connection, to keep messaging safe:
- Teachers can message the students they teach and those students' parents.
- Teachers can message other teachers they share a class with.
- Administrators can reach staff and families more broadly.
- Students cannot directly message other students.
- Parents cannot message other parents, or students who aren't their own children.
If you can't start a direct message with someone, it's because you don't share a class connection that allows it.
Start a conversation
Open Messaging
Go to Messaging (or Communication → Messages). Your conversations are listed down the side; open one to read and reply.
Start a direct message
Choose New conversation, then pick the person. You'll only see people you're allowed to message.
Or create a broadcast channel
An administrator or teacher can create a broadcast channel, add participants, and set whether each can post or is read-only. Use this for one-to-many updates where only organisers post.
In a conversation
- Send messages and attach files or images.
- Reply to a specific message to keep a thread clear.
- React with an emoji.
- Mention someone with @ to get their attention.
- Edit or delete a message you sent — edited messages keep a history.
- Read receipts show when your message has been read.
- Typing indicators show when someone is writing.
Manage a conversation
- Mute — stop notifications for a conversation without leaving it. Muting is personal to you.
- Archive — tuck a conversation out of your main list.
- Freeze (owners) — stop new messages in a channel while keeping it readable.
- Add or remove participants (broadcast channels) — and set each one as a poster or read-only.
- Report a message — flag an inappropriate message for moderators to review.
Common use cases
- A parent's question — a parent messages their child's teacher directly.
- Class updates — a teacher posts in the class channel; all the class's students see it.
- Year-group broadcast — an administrator creates a read-only broadcast channel to keep a group informed.