Overview
This article introduces the "Chat" button, located near the center of the Bottom Panel in the Live Classroom. Upon selecting it, the classroom's chat contents will load in the Right Panel. The chat feature enables participants to communicate casually or ask questions without disrupting the session. Below is a screenshot that highlights the location of this button, as well as how its contents appear within the Right Panel:
Although the Chat panel functions the same way for all class participants, certain features are reserved for users with specific roles, which we'll highlight as needed.
As the chat panel contains numerous features, we'll group them into separate sections.
Chat Messages
Most of the panel is dedicated to displaying the list of chat messages. As with typical chat applications, new messages appear at the bottom, and the panel automatically scrolls down to keep the latest messages in view. Let's go over the details of each individual chat message entry:
- User Avatar - The profile picture of the sender will appear alongside each chat message. You can click this image to send a message directly to the user.
- Sender Name > Destination - At the top of each chat message will be the name of the sender and the message's destination (i.e. the person or channel it was sent to).
- Sent As a Reply to - When a message is sent as a response to another, this label and the original message contents are included.
- Message - The content of the message.
- Add Reaction - If you hover your cursor over a message, you can click the smiley face icon to expand a dropdown of emojis. Selecting one of these emojis adds it as a badge to the message, allowing you to "react" to it. Below is an example of a message that several users have reacted to:
The following emojis are available for chat message reactions: Thumb Up, Thumbs Down, Question Mark, Fire, Smiley Face. - Reply to Message - If you hover your cursor over a message, you can click the "reply" icon to send a response to the message. When replying to a message, your response will be sent to the same channel that the original message was sent to. For example, if the original message was sent to the Room, your response will also be sent to the Room.
- Edit Message - If you hover over your own messages, you can click the "edit" icon to revise your message.
- Delete Message - To remove one of your own messages, hover over it and click the trashcan icon. Once deleted, the message is replaced with placeholder text indicating its removal, while the entry itself remains visible as part of the chat record. Instructors and TAs are able to delete any messages in the chat, allowing them to moderate the discussion effectively.
Chat Controls
Below the listing of chat messages are the chat controls. These controls allow you to select your message destination, download chat messages, etc. We'll now go over each of these fields:
- Destination - Use this field to choose where your chat message will be sent. When selected, a dropdown menu appears, allowing you to pick either a channel or an individual participant. You can also type into the field to quickly filter options. We'll elaborate on the meaning of each of the channels that appears:
- Room - Sends the message to everyone in the classroom.
- Staff - Sends the message only to classroom staff (Instructors and TAs).
- My Table / Table Name - Learners will see a "My Table" channel, which delivers messages only to participants currently seated at their table. Instructors and TAs will instead see a list of all tables by table name. This allows them to send messages to any table without being seated there, supporting effective chat moderation.
- Turn on Chat Announcements - This toggle is available only to staff members. When enabled, your chat messages will be delivered normally, but they will also briefly display as a banner at the top of the screen for the selected destination's participants. Depending on your destination, the banner may appear a single user or multiple users. The banner will not appear for participants who already have the chat panel open. An example banner is shown below:
- Turn on Anonymous Messaging - This toggle, available only to Learners, will send your message without attaching your name to it. Instead, it will show that it was sent by "Anonymous". This toggle is only available when sending chat messages to the Room.
- Toggle to Only Messages from (Participant Name) - This option appears when a participant is chosen as the message destination. Enabling it filters the chat so that only messages sent by that participant are displayed.
- 3-Dots Menu - Selecting the 3-dots icon will expand a menu with a few tools you can use to manage chats. We'll describe the options within the menu below:
- Search for a Message - Selecting this option will allow you to filter chat messages by a word or phrase.
- Select Messages - Activating this tool allows you to delete messages in bulk. Simply mark the box next to each message you'd like to delete, then click the trashcan icon that appears near the bottom of the chat panel. Permissions for this are the same as they are for deleting individual messages: Learners can only delete their own messages, while staff members can delete any messages.
- Download Messages and Files - Use this option to save all chat messages currently visible in your chat panel as a Microsoft Word document (.docx). If the chat contains uploaded files, the download will instead be provided as a .zip archive that includes both the messages and the associated files. Note: Only the messages shown in your chat panel will be saved. Messages from prior class sessions will not be included.
- Chat to Staff Only - This toggle is available exclusively to Instructors. When enabled, participants will be restricted to sending messages only to staff members, preventing them from chatting with other participants.
- Always Receive All Tables Chat Messages - This toggle is available exclusively to Instructors. When enabled, any message sent to a table will also be delivered to you, allowing you to oversee and moderate chat amongst tablemates.
- Upload File - Use this button when you want to share a file instead of sending a chat message. Clicking it will open a prompt to browse your computer and select the file you'd like to upload.
- Emoji Menu - To insert an emoji into your chat message, select this icon to expand a menu containing a wide selection of emojis.
- Write a Message - Type your chat message into this field. Once ready, you can select the corresponding "Send" button or just hit Enter on your keyboard.
Chat Summary
Next to the 3-Dots menu within the chat controls is a "Generate Chat Summary" button, available only to Instructors. This feature provides a quick overview of chat activity. It's designed to help you identify key messages--such as questions or concerns--without the need to manually scan every entry. Below is a screenshot highlighting the button's location:
When selected, a menu appears with several choices, which we'll outline below:
- Class - Select this option if you'd like to generate a summary for messages sent to the entire class (i.e. the "Room" channel). Once this is selected, you'll be asked to choose a lookback period of "Since the Session Began", "From the Last 15 mins", or "From the Last 5 mins". Below is an example screenshot of the summary generated for classroom-wide chat messages:
- Per Table - Choose this option to create a summary of chats occurring within each table (i.e. Table channels). It's particularly helpful for tracking misunderstandings or identifying off-topic conversations during table-focused activities. When selecting this option, you'll be prompted to choose a lookback period of "Since the Session Began", "From the Last 15 mins", or "From the Last 5 mins". A summary will be generated for each table, as seen in the below example image:
Notes
Below are some important notes regarding the Chat feature:
- You may notice a red circle with a number inside it on the corner of the Chat button. This badge shows the count of unread chat messages. It's a convenient way for participants to keep track of new activity without needing to keep the Chat panel open at all times, freeing up the Right Panel for other tasks.
- All chat messages are logged and available for review by Super Admins via the Admin Portal.