Overview
Proserva includes a built-in messaging system that supports both 1:1 direct messaging and multi-user group conversations. All course communication stays in-platform — no need to switch between email, external chat tools, and the LMS. Messages trigger both in-app and email notifications so nobody misses important communication.
Direct Messaging (Student ↔ Faculty)
How Students Message Instructors
Students can message their instructor from multiple points in the course:
From any lesson page: a "message instructor" button is available within the course interface, keeping the conversation contextually tied to the coursework.
From assignment pages: students can confirm submissions or ask clarifying questions about their work.
From discussion threads: if a student needs to take a conversation private with the instructor.
How Instructors Message Students
Instructors have direct access to messaging from the course management view:
Students tab: from the student roster, instructors can click to directly message any individual student. This is the primary path for outreach about progress, missing work, or check-ins.
Gradebook: when reviewing submissions, instructors can message the student directly about their work.
Student profile: from a student's profile page within the course.
Message Features
Read receipts: the system tracks which participants have viewed each message in a thread, so senders can confirm delivery.
Attachments: messages support file attachments — instructors can share resources, and students can share work-in-progress without leaving the conversation.
Notifications: message recipients receive both an in-app notification (bell icon) and an email. The email includes the message content so it's readable even from a phone notification.
Threaded history: conversations are preserved as persistent threads. Past messages are always accessible — nothing disappears or expires.
Group Messaging (Cohorts)
Group Chat Threads
Any chat thread can be expanded beyond 1:1 into a multi-user group conversation:
Owner controls: the thread owner manages who can add or remove participants, giving instructors moderation control.
Use cases: small group project coordination, cohort discussions outside of formal discussion forums, quick team communication during a live workshop.
Group Chat flag: when enabled on a thread, it can support 1:1 or multi-user with extended features. When disabled, the thread is always 1:1.
Broadcast to All Enrolled Students
From the course Students tab, instructors can message every enrolled student at once with a single click. This is ideal for:
Quick deadline reminders
Notifying the class about new content or schedule changes
Nudging students who haven't started or are falling behind
Pre-session instructions for a live workshop
This is a one-time blast (not a persistent announcement). For messages that should stay visible, use the Announcements feature instead.
Course Announcements
Separate from direct messaging, instructors and admins can post course-wide announcements that persist on the course page. See the dedicated Course Announcements article for details.
Delivery & Notification Flow
Action | In-App Bell | |
Someone sends you a direct message | ✅ | ✅ |
New message in a group chat you're part of | ✅ | ✅ |
Broadcast message from instructor | ✅ | ✅ |
The notification bell in the top navigation shows an unread count badge. Clicking opens the full notification feed where users can jump directly to the message thread.
Privacy & Scope
Direct messages are private 1:1 conversations — not visible to other students or instructors unless they are added to the thread.
Group chats are visible only to participants. The thread owner controls membership.
Message history persists for the life of the course. Messages are not deleted when a course ends.
Messaging is scoped within Proserva — no external accounts or third-party tools needed.