{"id":3811,"date":"2020-04-24T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.principia.edu\/teaching-excellence\/?p=3811"},"modified":"2020-04-24T12:50:23","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T17:50:23","slug":"its-the-little-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/content.principia.edu\/teaching-excellence\/its-the-little-things\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s the little things"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

<\/p>\n

We in CTL have adopted Slack as a part of our remote communication flow. Slack has provided the perfect avenue for quick-text responses, goofy memes, supportive encouragement and recognition for all the hard work going on in our department. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve particularly enjoyed how this new form of communication has fostered a sense of relaxed community. It\u2019s brought us together in surprisingly fun ways that wouldn\u2019t normally seem to fit in a professional workplace environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exhibit A: The #random channel
<\/b>Right off the bat, Kristin started a #random channel (Slack organizes workspaces with channels that users create) as a place to collect all the non-work related foolishness that might bring a little light to our current circumstances. So far, we\u2019ve been treated to Taco Tuesday recipes and lounging cat pictures from Molly; virtual orchestra\u2019s and artist-led YouTube tutorials from Kristin; puppy spam and #quaranskills<\/b> from Ellen the barber; and many, MANY memes from yours truly (see below\u2013\u2013they\u2019re fantastic).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

While CTL has always been extremely collegial, I don\u2019t know that under normal circumstances I\u2019d ever send memes to my colleagues and supervisors at work. But if there\u2019s one benefit of shelter-in-place, it\u2019s that it highlights that we all miss each other, and we all need a good laugh sometimes. So memes, and cat photos, and quarantine barbershop stories are not only allowed, they\u2019re encouraged!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Exhibit B: Emoji reactions
<\/b>I\u2019m a BIG fan of emojis. I think they\u2019re ridiculous, and versatile, and a quick way to bring some humor into any situation. Slack is perfect for me since it allows anyone to \u201creact\u201d to different messages\u2013\u2013and you can choose your own emoji reaction. I\u2019ve been having fun choosing the most random emoji I can find, that has absolutely nothing to do with any emotional reaction, just to add some spice to life. For instance, in response to the message, \u201cI’ll keep you in mind if things come up! I appreciate your help and support,\u201d I \u201creacted\u201d with a yam. Why? Because why not?! I enjoy the air of mystery and complete ridiculousness of this process, knowing that my colleagues will constantly question, \u201cDid they mean to use a yam?\u201d Yes. Yes they <\/span>did<\/span><\/i> mean to use a yam.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Exhibit C: <\/b> <\/span>The #esod channel
<\/b>This goofy, meaningless activity led to yet another avenue for fun\u2013\u2013the #esod channel. Every day, I create an \u201cEmoji Story of the Day\u201d (ESOD)  and update my Slack status to whatever emoji narrative I\u2019ve decided on. Sometimes it\u2019s an original quippy one-liner, and sometimes it\u2019s based on a movie or book. Everyone in the department is encouraged to guess what the ESOD is, and it\u2019s become just another fun connecting point in our day. People have begun to create their own ESOD\u2019s, and it\u2019s become a unique way of communicating how our work day is going.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some gems include: <\/span><\/p>\n

\n<\/h1>\n

\n