BigBlueButton BN Reminders

What is BigBlueButton BN Reminders?

BigBlueButton BN Reminders (component: bbbext_bnreminders; formerly BN Notify) is an extension to the BigBlueButton activity that sends time-based email reminders to enrolled users before a live session starts. Teachers add one or more reminders (e.g. 1 day / 1 hour before), and the plugin delivers customizable emails with the join link and session details.

Note: BigBlueButton BN Reminders requires a working cron and outgoing email configuration. It depends on the BigBlueButton activity (mod_bigbluebuttonbn) being installed and enabled. For privacy reasons, the plugin does not send reminders to guest users.

How is it set up?

• In a course, with Edit mode enabled, add or edit a BigBlueButton activity.
• Set a start date/time for the session (reminders are calculated from this time).
• In the activity settings, locate the Reminders section (BN Reminders).
• Click Add reminder and choose when the email should be sent (e.g. 1 hour before, 1 day before).
• (Optional) Add multiple reminders (for example, 3 days before and 1 hour before).
• Save the activity.

The “Session timing” and “Email notifications” sections of a BigBlueButton activity. Reminders are enabled with one reminder set to **One hour before meeting starts**, and guests are included.

How does it work?

• The plugin queues reminder emails based on the activity’s start time and the offsets you selected.
• Each email includes the course/activity context and a join link.
• Students can manage preferences from their user menu (Preferences → BigBlueButton reminders preferences) and can unsubscribe via a link in the email.
• If the teacher reschedules the activity and saves changes, future reminders are recalculated.

Requirements and limitations:

1. A start date/time is required for reminders to send.
2. Guests are not supported (no emails are sent to non-enrolled/guest users).
3. Delivery time depends on your site’s cron schedule and mail server throughput.

Admin settings

From Site administration → Plugins → BigBlueButton → Manage BigBlueButton extension plugins → BN Reminders, administrators can configure global defaults:

• Enable/disable BigBlueButton BN Reminders site-wide.
• Default reminder offsets available to teachers (e.g. 3d/1d/1h before).
• Email templates (subject/body) with placeholders:
  • {$url} – activity URL (join context)
  • {$course_fullname} – course full name
  • {$course_shortname} – course short name
  • {$date} – localized session date/time
  • {$name} – meeting/activity name
• Footer / signature (optional) for institutional branding or contact info.
• Permissions – assign who can configure reminders at activity level via role capabilities (teachers, managers).
• Scheduled task – verify frequency under Site administration → Server → Scheduled tasks (BN Reminders). Set to run every 5–15 minutes for timely delivery.

Ensure Outgoing mail configuration is working (e.g. SMTP) so reminders can be delivered.

Tip: Keep subjects short and include the date/time so students can scan their inbox easily.

Troubleshooting

• Emails not sent: Check that cron is running and the BN Reminders scheduled task is enabled (see Server → Scheduled tasks). Confirm outgoing mail settings.
• No reminder options in activity: Verify the plugin is enabled and the activity has a start date/time set.
• Duplicate emails: Make sure there are no duplicate offsets configured for the same activity.
• Users unsubscribed by mistake: Direct them to Preferences → BigBlueButton reminders preferences to re-enable.

Version and requirements

• Moodle: 4.5 or later (recommended).
• BigBlueButtonBN: ≥ 2024100700 (or the minimum required by your release).
• Cron: Required for scheduled delivery.

See also

• BigBlueButton – the activity module BigBlueButton BN Reminders extends.