There have been several questions about using Canvas Announcements to communicate with students before the course or term start date. Hopefully, the information below provides clarification.

• If an announcement is created prior to the course start date as determined by either the term start date or the course start date modified in the course settings the announcement will not be delivered to the email account of the students. Assuming they have their announcement notifications settings set as "Notify Immediately"

• However, a message sent from the Canvas Inbox created and sent prior to the course start date WILL be delivered to the email account of the students. Assuming they have their Conversation Message notifications settings set as "Notify Immediately"

• If an announcement is created after the course start date as determined by either the term start date or the course start date modified in the course settings the announcement will be delivered to the email account of the students. Assuming they have their announcement notifications settings set as "Notify Immediately"

So essentially, faculty have one Canvas communication method prior to the course or term start date, the Canvas Inbox, and after the course, start date Announcements become a second communications vehicle. (assuming the course is published)

Neither communication method will work on an unpublished course.

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