Recently DC's own Chemical & Engineering News wrote about how the messenger app, Slack, has improved communication inside the inner workings of a chemistry lab at the University of Michigan. Students and advisors alike mentioned how the app improved workflow as email had become cumbersome amongst colleagues.Slack allows colleagues to interact within chat groups based on topic and group members. Different projects can have their own channel - this allows a running thread of conversation rather than a continuous back and forth through tons of reply-alls in the email setting.
This got me thinking that this sort of flow of conversation could be amazing in an educational setting, especially amongst co-teachers. As projects are planned, lessons are designed or everyday tasks are delineated amongst co-teachers a platform to carry on these constant conversations could be very beneficial. Slack allows for a number of integrations such as Google Drive and Calendar and lets users share pdf files, images, documents etc. This integration could create an ease in co-teacher planning across the school and amongst a co-teaching team or grade level. Time is precious and sitting down to plan multiple subjects with multiple people can at times prove to be impossible, however, with Slack, groups could stay connected as ideas are shared digitally. And with the organization of conversations by class period, projects, subjects - however, the team deems applicable - teams may gain back valuable time!
How about you? Are you already using Slack in an education setting? Read the C&EN article below to see how labs teams have already benefited.
Slack creates more connection without being more intrusive.
—T. Ben Britton, materials scientist, Imperial College London
ICYMI: How #Slack is helping chemists manage their labs https://t.co/7Yt3LhOtoB pic.twitter.com/8JM3HntM2q— C&EN (@cenmag) July 19, 2016
