This tutorial will help you to start using Slack: a messaging platform that we use in English 110. Please try to do these tasks before the first day of classes on August 29th so that if you have any problems, I can help you.

Step 1: Download Slack

Go here to download Slack to Windows devices.

Go here to download Slack to Mac devices.

I recommend that you also download the Slack app to your phone or tablet through using whatever kind of app store you use on your device. This way, you can get notifications wherever you are. Don’t worry: you can control which notifications you see, and I won’t send too many of them.

Step 2: Sign in to our workspace.

I sent you an e-mail with a link that will allow you to join our Slack workspace. Once you have downloaded Slack, click on the link in your e-mail, which will allow you to make an account and join the class team. If you didn’t get that link, e-mail me ASAP at [email protected]

Step 3: Find the channels.

Slack has several different “channels,” which is where I will post different information that you will need to access. You can see them on the left side of the screen on a desktop or laptop computer, or near the top of the workspace on a phone. They look like this:

Find the channel called #whatyoumissed. Make a note of what kind of information you can find on this channel. Write this down or remember it because you’ll need it later.

Find the channel called #zoomlink. Find the purpose of this channel, and the password to the Zoom room. Also write this down.

Find the channel called #conferences. From this channel, find out (1) what are office hours? (2) when are my office hours? (3) how can you access my office? Write these down.

Find the channel called #songsforclass. What can you post in this channel?

Step 4: Find the direct messages.

Next, scroll down to where it says “Direct messages.” This will be at the bottom of the left-hand side on a desktop or laptop, or below the channels on a phone.

Find my name, Lindsey Albracht, and send me a message. Introduce yourself, and send me your favorite emoji. 😎

Then do the following things:

1. Tell me what the #whatyoumissed channel is for.
2. Tell me where you can find the password for the Zoom room and why we might sometimes use a Zoom link.
3. Tell me what office hours are for.
4. Tell me when my office hours will take place.
5. Tell me how you can access my office.
6. This is optional, but if you have a suggestions for #songsforclass, post your suggestion in that channel.

Step 5: Find your personal channel.

Once you’ve sent me the list of answers to the questions from above, I will set up your personal channel.

Only you can I can see what’s in this channel: it will not be visible to anyone else in the class. Read the message that I put in your channel, and then put an emoji on the post that shows that you have finished reading it.

If you have any questions, you can send them to me in the Direct Messages or you can email me.