Move learner follow-up from Slack DM to Canvas
Capture a learner's request for a course follow-up while it is fresh and start the conversation in Canvas.
Trigger
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Action
Create conversation
Use to send messages in canvas by creating a new conversation or adding to an existing one; an existing conversation with the same recipients (and matching scope/filter, if specified) may be reused unless `force new` is true.
Why this helps
A DM can interrupt focused work, and a promise to follow up later can slip through the cracks.
- Create a course-centered follow-up from a direct learner request.
- Reduce memory load after an interruption.
- Keep learner communication connected to the learning space.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Canvas to Notis once through the portal.
- 2Create the automation in the portal, or ask Notis conversationally to set it up.
- 3In one prompt, ask Notis to create a Canvas conversation only for Slack DMs that clearly request course follow-up, using an identified learner and relevant context.
- 4Choose Slack Direct Message Received, select the run-report channel, and test with one suitable DM.
Questions about this workflow
Does the DM trigger include group messages?
The provided trigger catches DMs across DM channels. State clearly in the prompt which course-related requests qualify.
What if the learner cannot be identified in Canvas?
Ask Notis to report the issue in the run channel so you can resolve it without an uncertain conversation.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slack to Canvas. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slack triggers
Canvas actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Create account notification
Creates a global notification within a canvas account, ensuring `end at` is after `start at` and any specified `notification roles` are valid.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Create appointment group
Creates a new appointment group in canvas for schedulable time slots within specified course or group contexts.
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Create an assignment
Creates a new assignment within a specified course in canvas lms.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Create assignment override
Creates an assignment override to adjust due/unlock/lock dates for an assignment in a course, targeting specific students (requires `title`), a group, or a course section; at least one target (`student ids`, `group id`, or `course section id`) is required.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Create Calendar Event
Creates a calendar event with options for recurrence (finite `rrule` series only), section-specific timings, and blackout dates within a specified context.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Create communication channel
Creates a new communication channel (e.g., email, sms, push) for an existing canvas user to receive notifications.
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Create content share
Shares a canvas content item to specified users, if the sender has necessary permissions and receiver ids are valid.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Create conversation
Use to send messages in canvas by creating a new conversation or adding to an existing one; an existing conversation with the same recipients (and matching scope/filter, if specified) may be reused unless `force new` is true.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Slack and Canvas, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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