# Essential Tools

Here's an overview of the key tools we use for teaching and communication. Please set up these tools **now** to ensure effective collaboration with your team and students. 

### Slack

This is our main communication tool, both with teachers and with the students. You'll have access by default to your **teaching team channel** and the **students' channel**. Additionally, you can join our **community channels** in Berlin, NRW, and Hamburg to learn about local events. Please check Slack regularly during the semester and communicate with your teaching team via Slack if you cannot make it to class.

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### Action 

* [ ] Open the Email with the Slack invitation from ReDI. [Enter ReDI Slack](http://redi-school.slack.com/).
* [ ] [Download Slack](https://slack.com/intl/de-de/downloads/) to your Laptop (and or mobile phone).
* [ ] Create a Profile. Use your real name. So that we know who you are.
* [ ] Say hello 👋 in your teacher channel to introduce yourself.
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### Google Calendar

We use Google Calendar to send semester meeting appointments to teachers and students.

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### Actions

* [ ] Please review Google Calendar invites you received from ReDI via Email and RSPV, so that we can plan very efficient meetings
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### Zoom

Our online sessions are running on Zoom. We highly recommend installing and updating the Zoom app on your device, as the online version doesn't cover all functionalities. Please note: The class Zoom link is the **same** for the entire semester. 

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### **Actions**

* [ ] Download the Zoom application 
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### Google Classroom

We use Google Classroom to share material with the students and to collect and give feedback to projects and homework. 

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### Actions

* [ ] Accept the invitation to Google Classroom that you received via Email
* [ ] Watch the "[how to use Google Classroom](https://www.loom.com/share/a4b1ab0a49e84319b41ac19f637b3240?sid=daf488a4-607b-4c7f-96b2-65925c897f44)" video
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###  [✅ ](https://emojipedia.org/check-mark-button)Done? 

Please complete all steps before going to the next section of the self-onboarding. If you face any issues, please reach out to the ReDI team via E-Mail or Slack. Once you are done, let's dive into the [Content Introduction](https://redi-school-1.gitbook.io/teacher-hub/data-ai-track/machine-learning-ai-hybrid/course-overview/content-introduction).