This page details how Slack will be used in Software Engineering during Fall 2023.
Slack is a free-to-use chat service for establishing closed collaboration groups. In this way, it is similar to other chat services such as Discord. When you join a Slack organization (such as the CS71 Slack organization), you gain access to several chat channels as well as the ability to send direct messages to other organization members.
By the beginning of the semester, you will receive an invitation in your Swarthmore e-mail inbox to join the CS71 Slack organization. If you haven’t received this e-mail, please contact the course instructor. You can either use Slack within your web browser or download a desktop client.
A Slack channel is a place to post messages on a particular topic. You can view posts in the channel by clicking on the channel name in the sidebar. You can post in the channel by typing your message at the bottom of the window or react to other messages by hovering over the message clicking the emoji icon. The CS71 Slack organization gives everyone access to the following channels:
#course-discussion: This channel will be used for discussion about the course. This can include questions about material (that conform to the Academic Integrity Policy),
administrative questions, or discussion on other course related topics.#chat: This channel is used for off-topic discussion and social conversations. You’re welcome to chat about whatever you like.#help: This channel is used during
office hours to ask for help. The course instructor will
post here to announce when office hours start and end. Students should
post “raised hand” emojis here to ask for help.
You may also ask for help within your Group's private channel.To ask for help in the #help channel, simply post a “raised hand” emoji. One way to do this is simply to type :raised_hand:
into the chat. Partway through typing, you will be presented with a
dialog box to select an emoji. You can either select the emoji by
clicking or type its full name and press enter.
After you have posted the emoji, the course instructor will
send you a direct message to offer help. From there, you can set up a
video call or just chat through Slack (depending on what works best for
you). The course staff will add the :eyes: emoji while helping you and a :heavy_check_mark:
when you’re finished talking. If you are waiting for help, you can
keep an eye out for this in order to figure out your place in line.
The course staff is committed to making all course material accessible to you. To access Slack’s accessibility settings, start by clicking on the workspace name “CS71-F23” at the top of the navigation pane on a laptop or desktop. Choose the “Preferences” option from the menu and then choose “Accessibility” from the navigation bar on the left.
Slack’s accessibility options include:
If you need any assistance accessing Slack or other course materials, please make sure to contact your course instructor or to reach out to the Office of Student Disability Services as described on the Syllabus page.
The CS71 Slack workspace is accessed by a wide variety of people all working in different environments and timezones. We ask that you be respectful of the staff as well as your fellow students. We expect you to follow these general rules:
#chat, for instance, and not in #course-discussion.