Chat
Course chat in FuxamLMS — how the course Chat tab relates to Fuxam Base Chat, global conversations, and Fuxam Mobile.
Chat in Fuxam is real-time messaging for quick coordination — direct messages, group channels, and course channels tied to enrollments. Chat is a Fuxam Base feature: the authoritative reference for starting conversations, creating channels, sending messages, and managing channels lives in Fuxam Base Chat. This page explains how Chat appears inside a course in FuxamLMS, how that view relates to the institution-wide Chat sidebar, and where to continue on mobile.
Why it matters
Teaching generates a constant stream of small, time-sensitive questions: room changes, file requests, deadline clarifications, and informal peer help. Email is too heavy for these; hallway conversations do not scale or leave a record inside the LMS. Course chat gives enrolled participants a shared thread next to the learning journey and calendar, keeping coordination where students and teachers already work.
How it fits
Chat is one of three LMS communication channels, alongside Emails and the Info Hub. The same underlying Chat system powers both the global sidebar and the course tab — you are not using two separate products.
| View | Where you open it | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Global Chat | Chat in the left sidebar | All conversations grouped into Pinned, Course Channels, Group Channels, and Direct Messages |
| Course Chat | Chat in a course’s navigation after opening the course | The course message thread for that offering |
| Mobile Chat | Chat tab in the Fuxam mobile app | The same conversations, with filters for All, Direct, Groups, and Courses |
A course channel appears in Course Channels in global Chat and in the course’s own Chat tab. Messages, members, and unread state are shared — opening the thread from either entry point lands you in the same conversation.
Chat vs Info Hub vs email
| Chat | Info Hub | Emails | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Quick back-and-forth, course discussions, informal coordination | Official announcements with audience targeting and read tracking | Formal notices to selected Fuxam users |
| Direction | Two-way threads | One-way posts (readers reply elsewhere) | Outbound from composer to recipients |
| Course tie-in | Dedicated course channel and course navigation tab | Visible on Home widgets; not a per-course tab | Recipients can include course participants when composing |
| Handbook | Fuxam Base Chat | Info Hub in the LMS | Emails |
Use Chat for day-to-day messaging. Reserve the Info Hub for authoritative notices and Emails for formal outbound messages.
Key concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Course channel | A chat tied to a course enrollment, created when course chat is enabled. Listed under Course Channels in global Chat. |
| Direct message | A one-to-one conversation with another person in your institution. |
| Group channel | A named channel you create with selected members, not tied to a single course. |
| Pinned | Conversations pinned to the top of the Chat sidebar for quick access. |
| Unread badge | Numeric indicator on the Chat sidebar item and on individual conversations until you open them. Muted conversations are excluded from the sidebar total. |
| Course Chat toggle | Per-course setting in Course Features that shows or hides the Chat section in course navigation. |
Open course Chat
When Course Chat is enabled for a course, use the course navigation Chat section to read and participate in that course’s message thread.
Open the course from Home, Pinned Courses, or search.
Click Chat in the course navigation sidebar.
Read messages in the thread and compose replies using the message input at the bottom of the panel.
If Chat is missing from course navigation, the feature may be disabled in Course Settings, hidden through Page Visibility, or turned off institution-wide. See Configure course features and ask your administrator if global Chat is enabled.
Open global Chat
For conversations across all courses — or to reach a course channel without opening the course first — use the institution-wide Chat sidebar.
Click Chat in the left sidebar.
Browse Pinned, Course Channels, Group Channels, and Direct Messages.
Select a conversation to read and reply in the main panel.
Unread messages are counted on the Chat sidebar item and on individual conversations until you open them. Opening a conversation marks its messages as read.
For full procedures — starting direct messages, creating group channels, mentions, attachments, reactions, and channel management — see the Base Chat section:
Start a conversation
Send a direct message or open an existing one-on-one chat.
Create a channel
Start a group chat, name it, and add members from your organization.
Send a message
Compose text, mention people, add emoji, attach files, and react to messages.
Manage channels
Rename group chats, manage members, mute notifications, or remove conversations from your list.
Chat on Fuxam Mobile
The Fuxam mobile app exposes the same conversations. Use it when you are away from your desk but need to reply to a course channel or direct message.
Start a new chat
Start a direct message, group chat, or open a course channel from the + button.
Send messages and use message actions
Send text, photos, and files; long-press for reply, pin, edit, and delete actions.
Find and filter conversations
Filter by All, Direct, Groups, and Courses; search and refresh the list.
On mobile, switch to the Courses filter when starting a new conversation to open a course channel directly. See Start a new chat for direct messages, group creation, and course chat flows.
Best practices
- Agree on the official channel. If course Chat is on, tell students it is the primary place for informal coordination — but direct them to the Info Hub for formal policy and deadline notices.
- Use the course tab during teaching. When you are already inside a course, the Chat navigation item keeps discussion next to content and calendar.
- Use global Chat for cross-course work. Module organizers juggling several offerings can monitor all Course Channels from one sidebar without opening each course shell.
- Prefer direct messages for sensitive topics. Grades, personal circumstances, and one-to-one requests belong in a direct message, not a shared course channel.
- Mute noisy channels instead of leaving. Muting excludes a conversation from your unread total while you remain a member. See Manage channels.
Common pitfalls
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Chat missing from the main sidebar | Your institution may not have messaging turned on — ask an administrator |
| Chat missing inside a course | Course Chat may be off or hidden via Page Visibility in Course Settings |
| Course channel not in Course Channels | You may not be enrolled in that course, or course chat may be disabled for it |
| Students use Chat for official notices | Official communications belong in the Info Hub; Chat is for two-way coordination |
| Duplicate group chats on mobile | Fuxam reuses an existing group with the same members instead of creating a duplicate |
FAQ
Is course Chat the same as the Chat sidebar?
Yes. Course channels are part of the same Chat system documented in Fuxam Base Chat. The course Chat tab is a course-scoped entry point; global Chat lists the same course channel under Course Channels.
Who can post in a course channel?
Enrollment and channel settings determine participation. Some channels may be read-only for certain members. On mobile, read-only channels allow reading but not sending. See Send a message for composer behaviour and attachment rules.
Does turning off Course Chat delete messages?
Disabling Course Chat hides the Chat section from course participants. Treat this as a visibility and access change for the course shell; follow your institution’s data-retention practices if you need certainty about stored messages. See Configure course features.
Where do I find Chat on my phone?
Open the Chat tab in the Fuxam mobile app. See Start a new chat and Send messages and use message actions.
Related pages
Fuxam Base Chat
Full Chat reference — sidebar layout, unread badges, drafts, and all procedures.
Communication overview
How Chat, Emails, and the Info Hub fit together in FuxamLMS.
Open a course
Course navigation tabs, including when Chat appears.
Configure course features
Enable or disable Course Chat and control page visibility.