Tools & Platforms
Course Sheet
We use the Course Sheet to organize the course and the teaching team coverage and mangement. You'll find the link bookmarked in Slack.
The volunteers assign themselves to the session topics accordingly to their availability and expertise.
Course Management: We use the Course Sheet to organize the course.
Availability & Ownership: Volunteers assign themselves to the session. They show when they are available to teach.
Add your availability
Before the Planning Sessions and Mid-Semester Planning, we will allocate the roles in the course sheet, please for that:
Change your availability status under your name accordingly:
Not available anymore?
Mark it in the Course Sheet so that others can see it and let your team knows in your teaching team communication Slack channel.
Slack
You’ll automatically be added to the following channels:
Teaching team channel: This is where you coordinate with your teaching team. Use it to discuss materials, content decisions, session handovers and to communicate any changes in your availability.
Student channel: This channel is for communication with students and your teaching team. Use it to answer questions and share relevant materials with students.
Community channels: You’re also welcome to join our community channels for Berlin, NRW, and Hamburg to stay up to date on local events and news.
Please make sure to check Slack regularly during the semester and use it as your main communication tool—especially if you’re unable to attend a session.
We encourage you to use Slack not only for logistics or emergencies, but also to share materials, ideas, and good vibes with your team. A supportive and communicative environment makes a big difference ✨
Slack Bookmarks
At the top of each channel, you’ll find Slack bookmarks with quick access to important tools and materials, such as: tools, credentials, link accesses, management resources.
Course Class Follow-Up Activities
For the non-Bootcamps/Circles courses, we aim to include more group work, hands-on practice, and real-world examples. To support this, and with teacher input, we provide a set of prepared Slack messages that you can find in your teaching channel bookmarks and post after each class:
A reflection or discussion prompt
Further reading or watching resources
Here you can find an example:
Homework submissions and grading is not mandatory. This is to help try and cut down on students who would just use chatgpt to solve the homework. Students who want to do the homework will do it, and teachers can give these students more focus. Students are encouraged to share their work in the channel to get feedback from Teachers and fellow students.
Handover Slackbot
After every session, a Slackbot will be posted in your teaching team channel. At least one designated team member should complete it to ensure a smooth handover for the next session.
This step is very important to help the next team come prepared. Please be empathetic—imagine stepping into a class without knowing what happened before!
⚠️ This is really important to help the next team come prepared. Be empathetic—imagine stepping into a class without knowing what happened before!
Zoom
You will need to install Zoom App and to get access the link (The Zoom room opens 30 minutes before the session) and the credentials will be pinned in Slack and it will be the same link will be used for the entire semester. The sessions will be recorded and teachers and students will have access to view them on top of their channels: For students: In case they were absent or need to refresh topics For teachers: In case they need to review what happened the previous class or which questions were raised.
How to Join Zoom & Claim Host
Find the link to the class meeting either in your calendar invite for the session or pinned in the teachers slack channel. Join with one click
Go to the participants list and “Claim host”. Sign in with the host key to become the host. You can find the host key (a series of 6 numbers) pinned in the teacher Slack channel.
Please make your co-teachers for the session's co-hosts by right-clicking on their name from the participants list.
Please do not forget to record the class. We record only Input and Q&A Sessions.
How to create Break-Out Rooms?
Click Breakout Rooms in the Zoom toolbar.
Select the number of rooms you want.
Choose how to assign participants: Automatically, Manually, or let them Choose a room.
Adjust settings (time limit, ability to return to main room, etc.).
Click Open All Rooms to start.
Move between rooms as host/co-host if needed.
Send broadcast messages if you want to share info with all groups.
When finished, click Close All Rooms and participants return to the main session
Recordings
Recordings automatically save into a drive students have access to as viewers. This Drive is pinned to the students slack channel (Bookmarks > Class Recordings) and the teachers slack channel (Teacher Tools > Recordings) . Recordings are available for whole semester. Break out rooms cannot be recorded.
Weekend Links
To help you feel fully prepared, the Weekend Zoom Link is available in Google Calendar and pinned in Slack. You can use it to test Zoom features, practice with the Key Host, or rehearse with another volunteer.
You may share the link with students for those who want to create study groups (preferable don't share the Key Host credentials or not the same yours)
Feel free to remove yourself from the calendar if you don’t need it. 💛
Default Zoom Settings
When starting the meeting, audio is off, your video is off and recording is off.
Hosts are allowed to add co-hosts.
Possibility to send files via meeting chat.
Google Drive & Calendar
We use it for two functions: Sharing material with the students and reviewing projects. You can also use it to create material.
The link to your Google Drive will be pinned inSlack
Homework & Projects Review
You find all the students; you can see who turned in the homework. Once you click on it, you can review their work, write a comment, and return it.
You don't have access to Google Drive?
You should have received an email invitation from ReDI. Please check your emails and spam folder. Otherwise, please get in touch with the ReDI team via Slack.
Attendance Tracker
Link: Attendance Tracker
Who: The teaching assistant tracks attendance
When: Every regular class (usually 20 minutes into the session)
Access: Credentials are pinned in your teaching teams' Slack channel
Why track attendance? We ask learners to join at least 80% of the sessions to obtain a certificate. We believe students can only learn if they attend. That's why attendance tracking is essential.
ReDI follows up regularly with students with low attendance to offer support.
Attendance Status per Session
100% – Present: Arrive on time, actively participate, and keep the camera on
50% – Excused: Notify in advance if unable to attend
50% – Late: Arrival more than 15 minutes late. Please mark as "Excused". If no excuse is known, select "Other." No explanation from students is required.
50% – Early Leave: Leaving before the break. Please mark as "Excused". If no excuse is known, select "Other." No explanation from students is required.
0% – Absent: No prior communication of absence
Camera on Policy
Students will only be marked as "present", if they join the class with their camera on.If a student should experience internet connection problems during the class, they should either write it in the chat or unmute themselves to inform teachers and fellow students. If this is not possible, students should inform the class through a message in their students slack channel.
How to track Attendance?
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