Integrations are a powerful way to extend Slack's functionality and streamline workflows in your educational setting. Here are some particularly useful integrations we've identified for our environment:

1. Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides)

Key Benefits:

• Preview Google Drive files directly in Slack
• Quickly grant access to documents
• Collaborate on files without leaving Slack

Use Cases:

• Sharing course materials
• Collaborative project work
• Quick review of student submissions

2. Google Calendar

Key Benefits:

• Receive meeting reminders in Slack
• Automatically sync your Slack status with calendar availability

Use Cases:

• Managing office hours
• Coordinating group project meetings
• Balancing teaching and administrative tasks

3. Email Integration

Key Benefits:

• Ingest emails from external systems or people into Slack channels
• Reduce email overload by centralizing communications

Use Cases:

• Monitoring student inquiries
• Tracking administrative notifications
• Consolidating department-wide announcements

4. Box

Key Benefits:

• Preview Box files directly in Slack
• Perform quick actions like granting access

Use Cases:

• Sharing large datasets or media files
• Collaborating on research documents
• Managing administrative files

5. Polly

Key Benefits:

• Conduct quick polls within Slack channels
• Easily gather feedback or make group decisions

Use Cases:

• Deciding on catered event options
• Gauging interest in potential courses
• Collecting feedback on lectures or events

6. Slackbot (already built into Slack, just start using!)

Key Benefits:

• Set personal or team reminders
• Automate routine tasks

Use Cases:

• Reminding about assignment deadlines
• Scheduling regular check-ins
• Prompting for weekly status updates

7. Giphy

Key Benefits:

• Add a touch of fun and personality to conversations
• Enhance team bonding and engagement

Use Cases:

• Celebrating student or faculty achievements
• Lightening the mood in stressful periods
• Enhancing online social events

8. Custom Apps

Key Benefits:

• Tailor integrations to your specific needs
• Connect Slack with your unique internal systems

Examples:

1. Jira Approval Integration:
   • Streamline workflow approvals directly from Slack
   • Useful for managing IT requests or project approvals
2. Context-Aware Chatbot:
   • Utilize Slack messages as context for surfacing internal knowledge
   • Enhance information retrieval and support for students and staff
3. Canvas Integration*:
   • Sync course announcements or assignment notifications to relevant Slack channels
   • Provide students with a centralized hub for course-related communications

*EIT is working on building a Canvas integration for Slack that instructors can use in their courses. If you're interested in this, please reach out to eds@umd.edu so we can include you in discussions as we shape the development of this tool!

Use Cases:

• Automating administrative processes
• Enhancing access to institutional knowledge
• Customizing notifications for specific departments or courses

Implementation Tips

1. Start Small: Begin with one or two integrations and gradually expand.
2. Provide Training: Offer guidance on how to use each integration effectively.
3. Gather Feedback: Regularly check with users to ensure integrations are meeting their needs.
4. Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on which integrations are most popular and beneficial.
5. Stay Updated: Regularly check for new features or updates to existing integrations.

By leveraging these integrations, you can create a more efficient, collaborative, and engaging Slack environment for your educational institution. Remember to always consider data privacy and security when implementing new integrations, especially when dealing with sensitive student or research information. In general, external tools should be in the Software Catalog before they're integrated with Slack. If they aren't reach out to eds@umd.edu so we can help you get them integrated.