As a user, I would like to be able to use the rich-content editor to compose messages in the Conversations inbox. This would enable me to create Conversations that are on par, formatting- and content-wise, with Announcements. (Students seem to read Conversations messages more diligently than Announcements.)
transferred from the old Community
Originally posted by: Mia Nolan
Special thanks for contributions by: Stefanie Sanders
My guess about this (without any insider information) is that since Canvas/Instructure is in the process of releasing an updated interface for the Canvas Inbox (currently delayed) which aligns with its current UI (without any change in functionality) that Canvas/Instructure is hopefully planning to add the ability to use its Rich Content Editor or at least some sort of formatting toolbar.
While frustrating that this feature idea has been around for so long, I am looking forward to any changes that are coming.
I -and many of our instructors- would be SO happy to have the Rich Content Editor in Inbox. In our experience it is a flaw lacking in the current design.
We understand Canvas' arguments about keeping things simple, but the RCE is broadly used throughout (and outside) Canvas, so people are used to working with it. In other words, I don't see how this would generate confusion.
Secondly, the argument that Inbox is mostly used for short messaging alongside email is not the case for a lot of users. Our institution's policy (as in others, I've learned in Canvas User Groups) is that Inbox and only Inbox is used for one-on-one communication with students. We wish to avoid students having to use and follow up on communication through various channels. And as was already pointed out, students tend to pay more attention to Inbox messages than to Announcements. Yes, I use announcements for communication with the entire class group, but I would like to highlight words in bold type and at least add a weblink (or copy-paste text without losing the lay-out and embedded links), for instance to inform someone who was absent.
Please make this happen, we'd be ever so grateful 🙂
I want a way to add basic formatting to the text in an Inbox message such as bold, italics, or underline so that information can be emphasized as needed.
Proposed solution:
Add basic content editing/formatting to Inbox options. Many students (teenagers) need better visual stimuli to process what they are reading.
