Prompt asking to notify students of a change when there is a delayed posting date

[bimbip]

After editing an announcement, instructors are asked "Would you like to send an announcement to users that the announcement has been edited?"

While the Canvas guide on editing Announcement dates does specify that "The modal does not display when editing an announcement with a delayed posting date," it is creating confusing for instructors who are left, in the moment, wondering what that is going to mean. They don't want to send a notification immediately, but they don't want to hinder any notification from going out later, but students don't need an extra notification later if an announcement they hadn't even seen before was edited...and then we field queries seeking clarification.

It would be much cleaner if Canvas could recognize when there's a delayed/future posting date on an item and then not display that prompt at all when it isn't going to be applicable.

[TamasBalogh · Accepted solution]

Hi @bimbip, 

I'm not sure if the guide was updated recently, after your post, but currently the guide states: "Note: If the 'Available from' date is set in the future, students will not receive a notification. Only users who can view the announcement will be notified of the change."
I understand the modal can be confusing and we are working on how to make it more clear, although it is applicable as an announcement can be viewed by other faculty, TAs, designers, etc and you might want to send a notification about the change to them. I hope this helps until we come up with an improved solution.

[krhumphrey]

I'm still unclear after reading this question and answer if I should select "Save and don't send" or "Send."  I want it to "Save and send at scheduled time" and I fear that if choosing "Save and don't send" will allow the announcement to show up in Canvas, but not Send to students at the scheduled time to be "visible."  I don't want to hit "Send" because I don't know if that's going to keep sending something out each time I make an edit (I schedule messages to go out once a week and I go back and add information throughout the week). However it was worded before this update wasn't confusing - now it is.

[venitk]

@TamasBalogh Neither the guide linked to in OP nor this one https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-delay-posting-an-announcement-until-a-s... explicitly state whether students will receive a notification for a delayed announcement, and when that notification goes out (I see the shaded box at the top of the page says when notifications won't go out, but it doesn't tell me whether they will). It would be helpful if that was tested and then if that information was explicitly included in the guides. I'm looking for a crystal clear statement, such as "If the course is active and published when the available from date for an announcement arrives, a notification will be sent to course members who have their notifications set to receive them."  Something like that. If that's even accurate; I'm still not sure after reading the guides if this is the case. It's implied that this is the case, but not directly stated.