Slack
Use Slack for course communication and collaboration through channels, direct messages and shared files. Create spaces for class topics, projects or groups and use Huddles for live conversation. Slack can complement Canvas with a searchable space for communication between class meetings.
Cost
No costAudience
Students, faculty & staffPurpose
Course collaborationCanvas integration
Optional Canvas integration featureGetting started
- Go to asu.enterprise.slack.com and sign in with your ASURITE username and password.
- Complete DUO two-factor authentication if prompted.
- Use the browser, desktop app, or mobile app after your ASU Slack Enterprise account is authenticated.
- Students can also access class workspaces through My ASU when a course uses Slack.
Activity examples
- Create course or project channels to organize discussion around topics, assignments, teams, or recurring work.
- Use direct messages, huddles, calls, or screen sharing for quick check-ins and collaboration.
- Share files, links, and updates without relying on long email threads.
- Use Slack search to find prior conversations, shared content, and decisions.
Compare your options
Use Slack when a course or team needs fast, searchable communication through channels, direct messages, file sharing, calls, and app integrations. It works well for ongoing collaboration and can complement Canvas when a class needs a more active communication space. Choose another tool when the main purpose is to distribute course updates, assess discussion participation, organize questions and answers, or meet live.
| Tool | Best for | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Slack | Ongoing communication, topic or project channels, direct messages, file sharing, and app integrations. | Students or teammates need frequent exchanges, project coordination, and a searchable space for conversations between class meetings. |
| Canvas Announcements | Faculty updates, reminders, and information shared with the whole course. | Your primary goal is communicating deadlines, course changes, or instructions rather than maintaining an ongoing conversation. |
| Canvas Discussions | Discussion prompts, threaded replies, and graded or ungraded participation within Canvas. | Students need to respond to a learning activity, and you want participation connected to the Canvas Gradebook. |
| Ed Discussion | Organized course Q&A, searchable help forums, and tracking answered or unanswered questions. | Students need a central place to ask questions, find existing answers, and help one another understand course content. |
FAQ
Yes. After authenticating your ASU account, download the Slack mobile app and access your ASU workspaces there.
Yes. Faculty can request a Slack workspace for a Canvas course and use ASU support resources to connect to or manage it.
Accessibility, privacy and other considerations
Accessible communication
- Use clear channel names, descriptive links, readable file names and concise message formatting to make conversations and shared content easier to navigate.
Participation and response expectations
- Slack supports communication throughout the day, but students may not be able to monitor channels or respond immediately. Set clear expectations for when students should check Slack, how quickly they are expected to respond and where time-sensitive or required course information will be posted.
Privacy and course use
- Use ASU-managed workspaces for ASU course and work communication.
- Follow ASU data, privacy and course communication expectations when sharing files, student information or sensitive content. Consider who can view a channel or message before sharing information about individual students.
Resources
Explore ASU and Slack resources for getting started, connecting Slack with Canvas, accessing Slack on your devices and learning core features.
ASU resources
- Slack at ASU: Find ASU-specific information about accessing Slack, available features and support.
- Canvas Slack Integration Overview: Learn about using Slack with Canvas courses at ASU.
- How to log into an ASU Slack workspace: Find instructions for accessing ASU-managed Slack workspaces.
- How to access the Slack mobile application: Learn how to access your ASU Slack workspaces from a mobile device.
Slack resources
- Accessibility in Slack: Explore Slack accessibility features and settings, including keyboard and screen reader support, visual controls, reduced motion, alt text, captions and transcripts.
- Slack quick start guide: Learn the basics of navigating Slack, sending messages and working with channels.
- What is Slack video: Get an introduction to Slack and its core communication and collaboration features.
Get support
Need technical help?
For Slack support, contact the ASU Experience Center or submit an ASU Slack support request through ServiceNow. The ASU Experience Center is available 24/7 for immediate live assistance.
Want to explore ways to use this tool in your course?
Learning Experience (LX) offers workshops and consultations where you can explore how Slack or other enterprise technologies might support your teaching goals.