How to Text or Call a Student from Canvas

Introduction

This guide provides SPC faculty with step-by-step instructions on how to text or call students from inside of Canvas. 

Step-by-Step Instructions or Watch a Video

1. Login to Canvas: 
   • Login to www.spcollege.edu using your SPC staff credentials, select the Canvas widget, https://www.canvas.spcollege.edu or shortcut, and select your course. 
2. Navigate to People:
   • From the course navigation panel, select People (1). 
     
3. Open a student's communication menu: 
   • From the People screen, select the button to the right of the student you'd like to text (it looks like three horizontal bars). This opens the communication menu for this student. 
     
4. Select the Text or Call button: 
   • From the communication menu, select the Text or Call button to begin the process of texting or calling the student. 

If you are texting a student:
Note: Select the Start Conversation button from this menu if you want to message the student's Canvas Inbox. 

Input and send text to student: 

• • In the text message window, you'll see the student's name (1), your Canvas instructor profile photo (2), and a Text Message box (3). Type (or paste) your text to the student in the Text Message box (3) and select the Send Text Message box (4) on the bottom right to text the student.
    

If you are calling a student:

Note: When you click the Call button, you will be prompted to start your Microsoft Teams application. If you are familiar with Teams, you can proceed to Teams. 

• Once inside Teams, you will receive this message and you can click the Call button to call the student.

If you prefer not to use Teams to call the student, you can simply collect the number and call from another device of your choosing. 

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team

atst@spcollege.edu 

 Phone at 727-341-3500

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).

After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team