This test is relying on the messaging API to work. There are some case in my own test that it did not work correctly (see comments on the ticket) In an existing course: Add the current user as a participant of the course Edit or add a new BigblubuttonBN activity Edit activity settings Expand all settings Check that "Notify this change to users enrolled" is not present in the General settings Check "Send content change notification" at the end of the list Save Via the system console/terminal run the site Cron: php admin/cli/cron.php If you get an "Adhoc task failed" error, try the test in a fresh install to avoid the error reported in MDL-73747 There should be an email sent with info about the changes in the activity