When to Use Slack Versus WebCampus

Purpose: A side-by-side guide for UNLV instructors on when to use the Slack integration versus WebCampus (Canvas) for course communication and content.

Core principle: WebCampus is the official system of record. Slack is a real-time, informal companion layer. If something affects a grade, a deadline, or needs to exist permanently, it lives in WebCampus — even if it's also mentioned in Slack.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Side-by-side comparison for the circumstances in which to use Slack versus WebCampus for communication.

Category

Use Slack

Use WebCampus (Canvas)

Quick questions

"Is problem 3 due Friday or Monday?" — fast, informal Q&A

N/A — too slow for real-time back-and-forth

Official announcements

Optional cross-post / reminder

Primary channel — every student must see it, regardless of Slack adoption

Grades

Notification only (grades should not be posted in Slack)

System of record — gradebook, rubrics, grade appeals, official documentation

Assignment instructions

Reminder/nudge that something's due

Full instructions, files, rubrics — the authoritative version

Syllabus

N/A

Lives here, referenced back to as needed all semester

Peer collaboration / group work

Dedicated project channels, real-time coordination

Optional group discussion boards or assignments for anything gradable/attributable

TA / instructor team coordination

Private back-channel for the teaching team

Not typically used for staff-only coordination

Class community building

Strong fit — topic channels, informal support, culture-building

Discussion boards work, but feel more formal/asynchronous

Polls / quick sentiment checks

Yes, via Slack apps (Polly, Simple Poll, etc.)

Canvas surveys/quizzes for anything graded or requiring a record

FERPA-sensitive or individual student issues

Avoid — even private channels aren't the right tool — this includes grades 

Canvas Inbox/email or SpeedGrader comments

Academic integrity / appeals record

Slack messages will be retained, even after the Workspace has been archived.

Required — Canvas retains the auditable trail

Accessibility / universal reach

Not guaranteed every student checks it consistently

Canvas notifications reach all enrolled students by default

Content that needs to persist for reference

Risk of getting buried in channel history

Canvas course shell stays organized and searchable

End-of-semester recordkeeping

Channels can be archived (retained but read-only)

Canvas remains the permanent academic record

Decision Shortcut

Ask: "Does this need to be official, gradable, or permanently on the record?"

  • Yes → WebCampus
  • No, and it benefits from speed or informality → Slack

Setup Reminders

  • Canvas enrollment sync is automatic once the Slack Workspace is created and participants are invited.
  • Data flows one direction: Canvas → Slack. Nothing posted in Slack updates Canvas.
  • Post a WebCampus announcement at the start of the term explaining how Slack will be used, expected response times, and channel norms — don't rely on Slack alone to explain itself.
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