I want to discuss one word with you. Slack.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines slack in the following ways:
adjective \ˈslak\
: not stretched or held in a tight position
: not busy
: lacking the expected or desired activity
: doing something poorly because you are not putting enough care or effort into
I want to add a third definition:
noun
: student-centered LMS for a 21st-century educational context
In doing a bit of research on it, I came across a blog by Mathias Elmose (2015), that discusses the use of Slack as a student-centered LMS for a 21st-century educational context.
The Slack application has been around since late 2013 and is essentially a messaging app for teams. We are currently using it among our LRNT 523 cohort and playing with the ins and outs. I have been using it here and there for over a year and well … FUN FUN FUN. There is a lot more to offer than what meets the eye. Here is a video that gives a brief overview of how it works.
Mathias Elmose (2015) posted his thoughts on the app known as Slack on his blog. Up until recently, Slack has mostly been associated with business platforms, but Elmose is promoting its use for education. In a previous blog post, I mentioned how “technology needs to serve a need and not the other way around.” Elmose believes that Slack can do just this – that will be able to “support learning by default.”
I believe that learning happens when educators provide experiences that give learners opportunities to engage meaningfully in activities that promote peer interaction. This brings into the forefront two learning theories – constructivism and connectivism. Both of these theories help to engage learners in a 21st-century learning landscape – one that takes the teacher off the stage and encourages digital networking.
(Click on the graphic to see it better)
Slack is an interactive environment where you can post, comment, and share ideas. Elmose believes that “it is collaboration” and it will help to shift from teacher-centered to a student-centered learning context – it will help to build a community of learning in the classroom. These communities of learning are necessary to promote opportunities for students to take owner-ship of their learning.
Main Features/Pros:
- Interactive environment
- Effective and efficient communication tools
- Extensive app integration(gmail, google hangouts, dropbox, simple poll, skype)
- User-friendly interface
- Open Source
- File Sharing
- Search function is awesome
- Use of “channels” to organize conversation topics
- Project Management Tool app integration (see list of possibilities here– I am trying out Kyber)
- Multiple teams
- Reasonable cost to go premium
- Efficient support team – I have already contacted them a few times
- Mobile device and desktop accessibility – IOS & Android
- Makes communication fun!
Cons (In connection to my LMS train of thought)
- Unlike Samepage – which I also like – it doesn’t have as smooth of project management tools (but this is something that could definitely be added as a main tool in the platform and not just an app you integrate)
- It doesn’t have all of the administrative tools such as rosters, assessment/testing and grading capabilities
It really doesn’t have a lot of cons…and although those are big ones for administrative aspects to an educational setting, the ability of the app to engage students in the learning process, in collaboration, in 21st-century digital skills is more than enough of a reason to use it in a classroom.
Elmose, M. (2015, April 23). Is Slack the new LMS? (Blog). Retrieved
from https://medium.com/synapse/is-slack-the-new-lms-
7d1c15ff964f.
