Encourage Channel Use

  • Create & share your key channels & channel naming guidelines at the beginning of the course – this will help students understand where to post, connect with the right people, and feel empowered to work efficiently in Slack. 
  • Post your Slack etiquette guidelines. Here’s an example you can copy, paste and adapt for a pinned post: 

Behavioral etiquette

:mag_right: Search before posting

Slack is intended to be our knowledge bank. Try to search Slack first before asking someone to find answers.

:raising_hand:  Respond with your input, answer, or decision in a timely manner

Within working hours, answer when fellow students mention you. If you are busy and cannot provide a full answer, that’s ok! Simply acknowledge the question or ask with :eyes: to indicate you’ve seen it and come back later. I will do the same.

:hourglass_flowing_sand: Socialize your availability

Use Do Not Disturb mode and turn on snooze notifications if you’re asleep or unavailable. Your classmates will receive a notification that you are busy. Edit your profile status to indicate if you’re away and for how long (e.g. Joe Smith :palm_tree: > 12/01). *_I will be updating my Status to reflect my availability as well. Please respect my dedicated research/lecture times._*

:red_circle: Customize your notifications across Slack’s mobile app, desktop app, and web browser

The recommended setting is to enable push notifications for mentions and direct messages across mobile and desktop.

:bulb:Pro tip: you can customize your notification down to channel by channel level - great for team work!

Channel etiquette

:+1: Do use public channels, almost always

As much as possible should take place in the public channels - to make it searchable, open, and accessible to others. Help each other find answers!

:exclamation: Make sure there’s a reason to create private channels

Rarely necessary, the only reason for making a private channel is if only select members should see confidential information. Your team channel may/ may not be private! Discuss among your teams during Week 1 on how you want to leverage Slack!
  • Encourage use of message threads. Threads create a “mini sidebar” conversation within a channel, and help to keep channels neat and tidy. 
  • Pin important information to channel. Pinning messages or files to a channel creates a quick and easy way to access important information. Pinned items are the same for everyone in the channel.
  • Define how you’re using emoji. Emoji are more than fun! Emoji reactions provide a lightweight way to communicate, and often eliminate the need for follow-up messages. Here are good examples:

Slack Emoji

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