Conversations has been updated to bring messages and assignment submissions into fewer places. It is designed to help you more easily manage messages, review learner work, and understand the context for classroom communication.
In this FAQ, you’ll find answers about:
Messages and assignments updates
Parent and learner messages updates
Assignment updates
Parent and learner experience updates
Messages and assignments updates in Conversations
What appears in messages and assignments in Conversations?
Messages includes parent and learner messages, including learner messages from live and self-paced classes. Assignments include learner assignment submissions from live and self-paced classes.
Parent and learner message updates in Conversations
How are learner messages organized in Conversations?
In the updated Conversations experience, learner messages appear in the Learners tab within Messages. Learner messages are organized by learner and class, so you may see separate message threads for the same learner if that learner is enrolled with you in more than one class. Each learner thread includes class details, such as Self-Paced or Ongoing, the class name, and any connected classroom item, such as an assignment block or lesson block.
How are parent messages organized in Conversations?
In the updated Conversations experience, parent messages appear in the Parents tab within Messages. The Parents tab is organized by parent name, and messages from the same parent appear in one “All parent messages” thread. If a parent message relates to a specific class, the message includes class details so you can see which class it relates to.
Where can I find class or learner details in a message thread?
In the updated Conversations experience, open the conversation and select More Details in the right-side details panel to view additional context for the conversation. This can be especially useful for organization admins reviewing message threads across multiple teachers, learners, or classes.
Where can I find a family or parent's local time in Conversations?
To see a family's local time, open the parent conversation and select More Details in the right-side details panel. In the expanded details view, the parent’s local time appears next to the parent profile information.
How do I find a specific message in Conversations?
You can also use the Parents and Learners tabs within Messages to narrow where you’re looking. You can also use the search bar in Conversations to search by message, person, or class.
How do I start a new message to a parent in Conversations?
Click Compose in the top toolbar of Conversations. From there, search for the parent or learner you want to message and select the class for the conversation.
Assignment updates in Conversations
Where will I see assignment submissions?
Assignment submissions appear in the Assignments tab in Conversations. This includes submissions from self-paced classes and live courses, so you can track and manage learner work that needs feedback in one place. Each submission thread includes a “View full assignment” (linked), so you can open the related assignment.
What does the Unread filter do?
The Unread filter shows assignment submission threads you have not read yet.
What does the Needs review filter do?
In the Assignments tab, use the Needs review filter to find assignment submissions that are waiting for your first response. Needs review is for initial learner submissions that have not received a response from you. Once you respond to a submission, it counts as reviewed, even if the learner replies again later in the same thread.
How do I find a specific assignment submission?
To find a specific assignment submission, use the search bar in the Assignments tab. You can search by message, assignment, learner, or class. Filters can help narrow the submissions you’re reviewing, but search is the best place to start when you’re looking for a specific submission.
Why am I getting separate assignment submission email notifications?
Assignment submission email notifications now send individually instead of in a batch, so assignment notifications are more specific and timely.
Parent and learner experience updates in Conversations
What changes for parents and learners?
Parents and learners can continue to send and receive messages through Outschool as usual.
Will parents and learners still get email notifications when I message them?
Messages still route through Outschool and still trigger email notifications to recipients.
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