How to Use the InSpace Chat

Learn how to use the chat feature in InSpace during live sessions and within LMS integrations such as Canvas. Discover host controls, including turning off chat, deleting single or all messages, and enabling direct messaging.

    To use chat within an InSpace session, follow these steps:

    1. Log in to your InSpace dashboard and join a space
    2. In the toolbar, click on the speech bubble icon. This will open the chat area.
    3. Type your message in the chat box where indicated.
    4. Click the image icon if you want to share an image.
    5. Click the send icon to share your message.
    6. To send a direct message to another participant, click the three vertical dots to open the menu option. Click on a participant's name to open your direct message channel with them.
      Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 6.31.04 AM

    To use InSpace chat in Canvas, choose from the following options:

    Note that using the InSpace LMS Integration (with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or Brightspace D2L), the InSpace chat feature can be accessed by students even when they are not logged into an InSpace session!

    Option 1 - InSpace dashboard

    1. Log in to your InSpace dashboard and click on Canvas Spaces
    2. Join a Canvas space
    3. In the toolbar, click on the chat icon. This will open the chat area.
    4. Type your message in the chat box where indicated.
    5. Click the image icon if you wish to share an image
    6. Click the send icon to share your message

    Option 2 - Canvas course

    1. Log in to your Canvas course
    2. Click "InSpace" in the Course Navigation menu
    3. Click on "Chat"
    4. Type your message in the chat box where indicated.
    5. Click the image icon if you wish to share an image
    6. Click the send icon to share your message

    How to Edit or Delete a Chat:

    Hosts:

    Hosts can edit their own sent chat messages and delete anyone's message in the chat. Hosts can also clear the chat of all messages. Editing a message will result in an 'Edited' notification appearing under the message. 

    Participants:

    Participants can edit and delete their own sent chat messages. Editing a message will result in an 'Edited' notification appearing under the message. 

    1. To edit or delete a chat, hover your mouse over the chat message. 
    2. Three dots will appear upon hover.
       Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 6.44.14 AM
    3. Edit or delete your message. A notification will appear to all participants once you've completed this action.
       Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 6-46-36 AM-png

    How to Pop Out the Chat

    1. Open the chat in the session sidebar. 
    2. Locate the Pop-Out icon. Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 6.33.40 AM
    3. Clicking the icon will open a new window for the chat (or tab for Mac users, if they are using InSpace in full screen mode). 
      1. When the chat is open in a new window, participants can click on the Chat icon in their Space to bring the chat window to the front. The window will automatically move to the back if the participant clicks on a different window. 
      2. When the chat is open in a new window, it will not be captured by the InSpace Recording function. 

      Screenshot 2023-11-03 at 6.37.58 AM

      Expanded Chat controls for hosts during sessions and while using LMS integrations.

      1. Hosts / Instructors can turn off participant-to-participant chat while keeping communication open between hosts and participants. Other options include completely disabling the chat and allowing direct chats between all users.
      2. Hosts / Instructors can delete single chats from any user. While our Toxicity Filter blocks many disruptive messages from ever making it into the chat, we know there are other situations when an instructor might need to clean up the chat for clarity or classroom management.
      3. Hosts / Instructors can also clear the chat of all messages. All users may download the chat. Hosts now also have the option to delete the entire chat. This will remove the whole chat history for everyone in the session, including from the LMS portal (if applicable). Students and TAs are not able to clear the chat.
      4. Hosts / Instructors can turn off the chat or turn off direct chat communication during an active session.

      Note: InSpace Hosts in Canvas can completely shut off the chat or turn off direct chat communication in a session. To do so, click the gear icon in your LMS integration portal in order to open the settings area to toggle chat on or off.   

      Persistent Chat Settings

      Your chat settings will be saved from session to session. This includes: 

      • Chat is turned on or off 
      • Direct messaging is turned on or off
      • Toxicity filter is turned on or off