Mastering Slack

Curriculum Area: Business - Communication Tools

Grade Level: 12th Grade

Lesson Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will understand how to use Slack as a professional communication tool, including creating channels, sending direct messages, utilizing integrations, and practicing appropriate etiquette.

Standards Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6: Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level.
• ISTE Standard for Students 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

Materials Needed:

• Computers or tablets with internet access
• Slack accounts for each student (teacher to ensure all accounts are set up prior to the lesson)
• Projector and screen for demonstrations
• Handouts with Slack terminology and features

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcome and Overview (2 minutes):

   • Greet students and explain the importance of communication tools in modern business environments.
   • Introduce Slack as a popular team collaboration tool used by many companies.

2. Objective and Agenda (3 minutes):

   • State the lesson objective: mastering basic functions and etiquette of Slack.
   • Briefly outline the activities: Live demonstration, hands-on activity, and review.

Live Demonstration (10 minutes)

3. Slack Interface Walkthrough (5 minutes):

   • Home Screen: Show students how the main screen is organized, including the sidebar and workspace.
   • Channels: Explain the purpose of channels and demonstrate how to create public and private channels.
   • Direct Messages (DMs): Show how to send DMs and discuss when to use them.

4. Key Features (5 minutes):

   • File Sharing: Demonstrate how to upload and share files.
   • Integrations: Discuss popular integrations like Google Drive and Trello, and show how to connect these tools.
   • Search Function: Demonstrate how to use the search bar to find messages and files quickly.
   • Reactions: Highlight how to use emoji reactions for quick communication.

Hands-On Activity (10 minutes)

5. Group Activity (5 minutes):

   • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students each).
   • Assign each group a set of tasks to complete within Slack, such as creating a channel, sending a file, or using an integration.
   • Circulate the room to provide assistance and ensure that students are engaging with the platform.

6. Real-World Scenario (5 minutes):

   • Present a business scenario: "Your team needs to plan a marketing campaign. Use Slack to organize tasks, share ideas, and coordinate with team members."
   • Allow each group to discuss and practice using Slack for the scenario provided.
   • Encourage groups to use appropriate professional language and Slack etiquette.

Review and Conclusion (5 minutes)

7. Quick Review (2 minutes):

   • Ask students to share one new thing they learned about using Slack.
   • Highlight key takeaways from the lesson.

8. Q&A and Wrap-Up (3 minutes):

   • Open the floor for any questions.
   • Provide additional tips on utilizing Slack effectively.
   • Assign a brief homework task: Explore at least two Slack integrations and write a short summary of how each could be beneficial in a business setting.

Assessment:

• Participation in Group Activity: Observe student interactions and use of Slack during the hands-on activity.
• Homework Assignment: Collect and review summaries to assess understanding of Slack integrations and their real-world applications.

Extensions:

• Schedule a follow-up lesson focusing on advanced Slack features, like automated workflows, surveys, and utilizing Slackbot for reminders.
• Organize a virtual guest speaker session with a business professional who uses Slack regularly to share real-world experiences and tips.