My solution to the problem is to use regular e-mail and Outlook Contact Lists instead of Canvas messaging. I have to spend time making lists of students' names, but for me it's the best choice.
If I had extremely large classes, this wouldn't be possibile.
On the rare occasion that I use Canvas messaging, I note that Canvas lacks a signature feature. I may start adding that Canvas ignores the high user demand for this extremely basic feature.
We have instructors who would would like to see a feature that adds signature blocks to messages automatically. Right now we have to recommend a copy and paste method.
Canvas emails need a signature line like Outlook and Google offer. It's a waste of time to sign every sign email. For visually impaired instructors, this is likely an ADA issue.
How to add signature line to Canvas email - I have been using Canvas for years, and the fact that Canvas Inbox does not have a signature setting is frustrating, to say the least. It should have been added years ago. Every time I email a professor using Canvas Inbox, I feel it is professional to add not only my name, but my University#, email, and direct phone number. To have to do this every time is unnecessary. All Canvas has to do is code in a place to create, save, and edit a signature. This is a component of every email program on the market, and Canvas on the higher ed level should be no different. If we are using your software to become professionals, don't you feel it would make sense to allow students, professors, and TA's to be as professional as possible when communicating with one another. My two young children also use Canvas during this COVID-19 pandemic, and I am trying to teach them to send out comprehensive emails to their teachers and schoolmates. I send a ton of emails to my professors and having to sign every time is just plain and simply a waste of time. Time is something we have to manage wisely, especially when we have to work full time, and have kids at home. Please incorporate a signature feature into Canvas. Thank you.
I'm confused as to why this isn't a feature if it's been requested for years and hasn't been implemented. I must be missing something, then. What's the hold up?
This is a feature long overdue. I didn't see the conversation when it first appeared, but I would say that it is something that should be automatically added if possible without needing a vote. It is basic email/messaging expectations in this day and age. Please add the option. Thanks. Prof. D.
It is very likely that colleges will increased the amount of online courses offered or a hybrid course. It would very easy and less time spend if we had a signature to sign all of our messages. It is definitely a necessity.
Almost 3 years since the initial post on this thread and still no update on signature line/block.
I prefer to have this feature as while students already know they are sending a message to the instructor, having the that feature like in an email also signals to the student a set of expectations with regards to messaging etiquette. I prefer to receive student emails/messages via Canvas inbox to keep them from getting buried under tons of daily administrative emails. But seemingly because of the "message app" interface of Canvas inbox, students forget communication etiquette. Messages arrive with no proper subject line and even with "text" style of grammar. I already have a separate page discussing email etiquette and having a signature line visible, I believe, can reinforce and encourage that sense of propriety/professionalism. I have recently seen some students using their own signature block - which indicates that students will also use that feature once available.
I also support this idea. There’s never enough time for professors. If there are tools canvas can implement to help teachers save time, they should do it! Adding this feature would equate to lots of minutes saved over the course of a semester. @kmeeusen I understand that Canvas conversations are a little more like a chat feature, but that shouldn’t limit the flexibility of the platform to meet the needs of each teacher, the choice to keep a formal tone, or the ability to simply share consistent information to all students without having to retype or copy and paste every time. Canvas should make their platform flexible to fit the needs of various teachers, especially ones that can help save us time.
Please add a way to create a signature line for emails within Canvas. Having a signature line would allow instructors to always have contact info, office hours, and other important info in a place that students can find it quickly.
Alternately, provide a way to show this info in the teacher profile or pin an announcement that always stays visible in the course.
I would like to add a voice to gain traction on this request. I spend unnecessary time copying and pasting a standard signature to each new Canvas email. As a newcomer to Canvas, I have found the whole emailing feature a bit clumsy and antiquated. For example, I would like to have a feature, directly accessible by students, to allow them to read a history of all the emails in their course. I believe Sakai has this feature, but have been unable to find it in Canvas other than Archive, which I do not know if students have access to, since I can not see mail in student view.
I've seen this posted multiple times by other educators over the years. I think it's time that Canvas looks into it a little bit more. Many educators would find it beneficial to have a basic signature line that they can add to their canvas e-mail so they don't have to write in their name, credentials, and contact information for every e-mail. Can we look further into creating this as a reality? This option is utilized by professionals within numerous other e-mail interfaces and it would be very beneficial for Canvas to add this. I can't imagine it's to hard to add. Please look into creating this option Canvas, the eductors utilizing your platform would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
It would be nice to be able to set a signature for messaging on canvas instead of having to type in our name every time we respond to messages. Thanks.
I have proposed this idea myself and seen it echoed more times than I can count. I find it difficult to believe that it has not received enough "traction" to get acted upon. 😖
The absence of an automatic signature block is a serious and basic flaw to Canvas messaging.
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