Course Messages

Messages can be used communicate with individuals, groups, or all users enrolled in a course via email. Copies of course messages and email replies are also stored in the Blackboard course.

1 Video - Messages in Ultra Course View
2 Send Message using the Messages link in the Top Navigation Bar
3 Send a Message to a student from the Gradebook
4 Unread Messages Indicator
5 Important FERPA Considerations with Messages

In ultra course messages there is no subject line and there are no folders to organize course messages

Video - Messages in Ultra Course View

Send Message using the Messages link in the Top Navigation Bar

In your course, click the Messages link from the top navigation menu. Select the New Message button to compose and send a message.

Screenshot of a pink arrow pointing to the Messages tab in the course navigation. The page is opened to the Messages page and another purple arrow is pointing to a button to create a New Message, located on the right hand side of the screen.

You can type a name or from the drop down menu select All Course Members, select individual names or select a group. Check the Send and email copy to recipients if you want the recipients to get an email notification of the message. Allow replies to this message is checked by default. If you do not want recipients to reply to the message, uncheck this box. Type in your message and when ready to send, click the Send button located in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

A screenshot that shows a top purple arrow that points at the Recipient box where you enter the course member or group name. A second purple arrow below, points toward the message box where the message is typed.

Send a Message to a student from the Gradebook

From the student list, you can send a message to anyone enrolled in your course. Select the Gradebook link from the top navigation menu and select Students. A list of students will appear. You have two options for sending messages from this view.

Select the three dot menu at the right end of a student row. Select the Message Student option. The Message panel will open.
Click on a student's name and the student's grade page will open. From here you can select Send Message and the message panel will open.

Messages you send from the student list view in the Gradebook will appear on the Messages page.

Unread Messages Indicator

The Messages tab includes an unread message indicator with the number of new messages. Messages are displayed with the newest messages at the top. Unread messages are clearly labeled.

Message Tab with numerical indicator of unread messages.

Important FERPA Considerations with Messages

FERPA Compliance

In Blackboard Ultra, it's important for instructors to be mindful of FERPA guidelines when messaging students. While the Messages tab in courses functions as a group message (without a BCC option), certain areas of the course—such as the Analytics, Submissions, Discussions activity, and Grades tabs—allow for messaging in a BCC format to protect student privacy. These areas often involve sensitive information related to student performance or engagement, which is why there is a "Send Message" option in those sections. This functionality allows instructors to quickly communicate privately with students regarding their course activity, assignments, or grades, ensuring compliance with FERPA when reaching out to multiple students simultaneously.

Group BCC messsages will always be indicated with the following note: “Each recipient will receive an individual message.”

For all questions and concerns regarding FERPA compliance, please consult the Office of Academic Affairs.