Ways to Contact Students
- Technology & Software
Last modified: November 20, 2025
Instructors at the University of Alaska have several tools for communicating with students. Each system serves a different purpose, and it’s helpful to understand how messages are shared to protect student privacy.
Best Practice for Student Privacy
If you are ever uncertain which method to use, the safest option is to contact one student at a time, especially for matters related to grades, academic performance, or other private information.
*You can always email your students directly from your UA email account by finding their contact info from one of the methods below ; using Blackboard or EAB can help you keep your class communications organized in one place.
Blackboard Ultra
Blackboard is the main platform for daily course communication and announcements. You can contact students through:
Messages Tool
Send direct messages within your Blackboard course.
If you send a message to multiple students at once, all recipients will see each other’s names inside Blackboard—even though the corresponding email notification appears Bcc’d.
To ensure privacy, send individual messages when the topic involves grades, progress, or personal issues.
How-to: Send Messages in Blackboard Ultra
Announcements
Use Announcements to share general updates, reminders, or time-sensitive information with the entire class.
Announcements appear in Blackboard and can also be sent as email notifications, depending on your settings.
How-to: Create Announcements in Blackboard Ultra
Gradebook Notifications
You can also send notifications to students directly from the Gradebook (for example, when providing feedback or posting grades).
When you use this method, students will not see who else received the message.
EAB Navigate
EAB Navigate is used by instructors and advisors to track student progress and send alerts.
You can send students alerts or messages, some of which may also generate text messages (depending on the student’s preferences).
This is often used to raise academic or attendance concerns early in the semester.
This is also a good way to prompt or remind students to read to a longer email or course announcement.
UAOnline
UAOnline is the university’s official student information system and the foundation for all registered student data.
When students register for classes, their contact information, such as names, UA email addresses, and enrollment details, is stored in UAOnline.
That information automatically feeds into systems like EAB Navigate and Blackboard Ultra.