Mail Tool

Description:	The Blackboard Mail tool is similar to email. The outgoing messages are stored in an outbox folder and the incoming messages are stored in the inbox folder. Other folders can be created for the designer to organize the messages in the Mail tool. The Blackboard Mail tool is restricted to the course and only course participants can use it.
Who can do what?	Designers can read and send messages to all users. Instructors can read and send messages to all users. Students can read and send messages to all users.
Tip:	If you require to spell-check your message you will need to access the HTML Creator.
How To's:	Reading, Composing, and Forwarding Mail Managing your Mail

How to Read, Compose, and Forward Mail

Reading and Responding to Messages Reading Mail Messages: Click on the Mail link in the left hand Course Tools menu. Click on the Inbox folder. The messages in the Inbox folder load in the right hand frame of the screen. The Mail tool default is to open the Inbox folder. Click on the subject of the message that you would like to read from the Inbox folder frame. The Message window displays the message and once you have read it, you may reply to the message, print the message, delete the message, forward the message or close the message. Click on the Close this window link to close the Message window.

Responding (Reply/Reply to All /Forward) to a Message: Click on the Mail link in the left hand Course Tools menu. Click on the folder name in the left hand frame to access the messages in that folder. The messages in the folder open in the right hand frame. Click on the subject of the message you would like to access. The Message window opens. In the Message window, you have the option of replying to the message or replying to all.   Creating a Mail Messages   Click on the Mail link in the left hand Course Tools menu. Click on the Create Message button. Click on the Browse for Recipients button. In the Select Message Recipients window you select whether you want to send this message to a particular role, an individual or a group. To: the message will be sent to that particular role, individual or a group. CC: the message will be carbon copied to that role, group or individual. BCC: the message will be blind carbon copied to that role, group or individual. Select the recipient of the message by clicking on the To, CC or BCC check boxes to the left of that role, group or individual. Click on the Save button. The Create Message window refreshes adding the relevant recipients to the To, CC or BCC text boxes respectively. Type the subject of the message in the Subject text box. Type in the message in the Message text box. Click on the Add Attachments button to add an attachment to the message.   Forwarding Messages Click on the Forward button. The Create Message screen displays. Edit the subject of your message in the subject text box if required. Type in your message in the Message text box. The original message is brought into the message text box. You may choose to either delete it or type beneath the existing message. Click on the Send button.

How to Manage your Mail

Adding, Renaming, & Deleting Folders   Click on the Mail link in the Course Tools menu. In the left hand frame of the Mail screen are the mail folders and in the right hand frame is the currently selected folder. Click on the Create Folder button. The Create Folder window opens. Type in the folder name in the Folder Name text box. Click on the Create button. The Mail screen refreshes and the new folder is added in the left hand frame. Click on the action link to the right of the folder name you want to rename. A drop-down menu appears. Select the Rename option from the drop-down menu. The Rename Folder window opens. Type in the new folder name in the Folder Name text box. Click on the Rename button. The Mail screen refreshes and the folder name is updated. Click on the action link to the right of the folder name. A drop-down menu appears. Select the Delete option from the drop-down menu. A warning window appears. The warning message states: Are you sure you want to delete this folder? Any messages will be moved to the "Deleted Mail" folder. Click on the OK button. The screen refreshes and the folder is deleted. Moving and Copying Messages Moving Mail Messages: Click on the Mail link in the left hand Course Tools menu. Click on the folder name that you would like to access. Select the message you would like to move by clicking on the check box to the left of the message subject. Select the Move to drop-down menu. Select the folder that you would like to move the message to from the Move to drop-down menu. Click on the green arrow button to the right of the Move to drop-down menu. The screen refreshes after moving the selected message and the inbox folder displays. Copying Mail Messages: Click on the Mail link in the left hand Course Tools menu. Click on the folder name that you would like to access. Select the check box to the left of the message that you would like to copy. A tick appears in the check box. Click on the Copy to drop-down menu. Select the folder (you would like to copy the message to) from the Copy to drop-down menu. Click on the green arrow button to the right of the Copy to drop-down menu. The Mail screen refreshes and the inbox folder displays after the copying the message.   Creating a Printable View   Click on the folder name that you would like to access. Select the messages that you would like to create a printable view of by clicking on the check box to the left of the subject of the message. A tick appears in the check box. Click on the Create Printable View button. The Compiled Messages screen displays. Click as Save as File button. The Save window appears.Navigate to the location on your computer where you would like to save the file. Click on Save button. The file is saved on your computer.