Teams Using Slack

[smitikshah]

Originally Posted by MailmanDelivers

Hello! My team has been looking into slack as a way to do team communication. I have a few questions:

1. How did you have your slack channel set up? (i.e subgroups, build groups, etc)

We have some different channels: CAD, Chit-Chat, General, Leaders, Marketing, Mechanical, Programming, Electrical, and Special Teams.

Originally Posted by MailmanDelivers

2. Does your team have any guidelines to follow, such as rules that people have to follow?

Basically behave yourself how you would in real life in the lab. Don't spam the chat in important channels. You can goof around in designated channels. Don't curse, don't be derrogatory of others, don't be a jerk, (you get the idea.)

Originally Posted by MailmanDelivers

3. How big is your team?

We currently have 27 on our Slack. With seniors graduating and freshmen coming in, I expect about 30 total withing 3 weeks of school starting.

Originally Posted by MailmanDelivers

4. How has it worked out so far?

It has been an amazing life-saver. The integrations (Trello, Google Drive, Calendar, Poll Bots, and even messing around with slackbot features) make things so easy, and since we make everyone download the app, it's easy to get notifications and responses. We also use the "pin" feature for things like permission slips and event information. I also like the channel option. As opposed to email in the past, you don't need to deal with the annoying email groups, and students can join and leave channels based on interest. It makes it easier than asking to be removed from an email list, or even added.

Originally Posted by MailmanDelivers

5. Anything we should know about Slack before we use it?

If you are a school team, make sure that any adults/mentors have clearance to join from the board. It wasn't an issure for us, but I have a friend whose mentor was unable to join the slack because of districts policies and teacher communication with students via social media outside of school.

Also, urge students to get the app. Makes things easier than desktop.

Integrations are really fun and simple to use. Use them!

Good luck! If you have any questions feel free to ask!