Dropout Detective: How to Message Multiple Students

Introduction

This guide shows you how to message multiple students using Dropout Detective, SPC’s student success solution that’s integrated directly into your Canvas courses.

One of the most powerful features in Dropout Detective is the ability to message multiple students at once, directly from the dashboard—saving you time and making outreach easier. 

Contents

Messaging Multiple Students in Dropout Detective

Tech Tip Tuesday: Messaging Multiple Students in Dropout Detective

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Messaging Multiple Students in Dropout Detective

1. Open your Canvas course. In the Course Navigation menu, select Dropout Detective under Third Party Tools.
   
   Once inside Dropout Detective, you’ll see a list of the students, along with their risk levels—Low, Medium, or High—based on their Canvas activity.
2. Next to each student’s name, you’ll see a checkbox. Select the checkboxes for the students you want to contact—or use the Select All option to message an entire filtered group at once. For example, you can filter out all the high risk/red students and then Select All. 
   
3. After selecting your students, press the Send Message button. 
   
    
4. This opens a messaging window where you can write one message that will be sent individually to each selected student. Fill in the subject (1), the message (2), and the purpose of the message (3, for example, “first week check in”). Then, press the Send __ Messages button either at the top or bottom of the messaging window (4). 
   

Each student receives the message privately, making outreach feel personal, even when you’re contacting multiple students at once. This is a great place for:

• Reminders to submit the first assignments to avoid getting dropped as a no show
• Early-semester check-ins
• Reminders about upcoming assignments
• Encouragement and support messages
• Invitations to office hours or tutoring resources

A quick reminder to always Keep your Canvas gradebook accurate and up to date. It ensures student risk levels are accurate, so the right students receive support, and no one is flagged unnecessarily. 

More Dropout Detective features are coming soon, so stay tuned! Make sure to check out the Dropout Detective page in the Faculty Support group in the Titan Hub for updates!

Tech Tip Tuesday: Messaging Multiple Students in Dropout Detective

More Dropout Detective Resources

Getting Started with Dropout Detective

Frequently Asked Questions about Dropout Detective

Dropout Detective Page in Faculty Support Group/Titan Hub

Note: If you need to be added to the Faculty Support Group in Titan Hub, please email atst@spcollege.edu to let us know.

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