What is Slack, and Why are we Using It?
Slack is a chat/bulletin board service that allows us to share work, resources and messages. If you've never heard of Slack, check out this very short video.
Slack is free and available on the web. While you can use Slack in its web mode, you'll probably want to download the desktop and (very handy) phone app, and access the site that way.
Submission via Slack has three benefits. First, it gathers all your writing in one place online on the off-chance you have a computer meltdown somewhere this semester. Second (and significantly), it provides a useful way for me to give you an honest participation grade for this class, without having to manually check who has written what each day. Third, it allows us to share work with each other easily online, but it also has privacy features in case you ever just want to send me or one of your classmates a private message.
Just so you know, Slack is a password protected website to which only your instructor and other registered classmates have access. No WebCrawler may search our site, nor may outsiders view its content. Registered class members have privileges to upload, edit, or delete documents under their own name, but cannot alter the material of others.
One final note: If you are ever experiencing technical trouble or find yourself confused, please immediately email me [email protected]. You’ll still be expected to upload what you’ve written to Slack at a later date, when the system is in a better mood, but if you email me your work I'll have proof it is done.
Slack is free and available on the web. While you can use Slack in its web mode, you'll probably want to download the desktop and (very handy) phone app, and access the site that way.
Submission via Slack has three benefits. First, it gathers all your writing in one place online on the off-chance you have a computer meltdown somewhere this semester. Second (and significantly), it provides a useful way for me to give you an honest participation grade for this class, without having to manually check who has written what each day. Third, it allows us to share work with each other easily online, but it also has privacy features in case you ever just want to send me or one of your classmates a private message.
Just so you know, Slack is a password protected website to which only your instructor and other registered classmates have access. No WebCrawler may search our site, nor may outsiders view its content. Registered class members have privileges to upload, edit, or delete documents under their own name, but cannot alter the material of others.
One final note: If you are ever experiencing technical trouble or find yourself confused, please immediately email me [email protected]. You’ll still be expected to upload what you’ve written to Slack at a later date, when the system is in a better mood, but if you email me your work I'll have proof it is done.
Mandatory: Get Set up on Slack by Day 1
By our very first class, you'll be expected to have set yourself up on Slack. This process takes about ten minutes total, and you'll never have to do it again, but it does have to get done. You can find out how by watching the presentation below.