Zulip
Zulip is an open-source chat platform suitable for group discussions that offers LaTeX support and collaborative features that can be useful in teaching. Features like private streams, user groups and the option to mark topics as resolved, for instance, can be used to enable Q&A and groupwork activities.
The primary distinguishing feature of Zulip is topics, which allows to make order out of a huge number of messages. By using topics, you can narrow to a certain thread of conversation while not losing sight of the overall flow of messages.
Zulip chat instances are created for fixed amounts of time (e.g. one course duration). Confidential matters should not be discussed on the platform.
Start using Zulip in a nutshell
1 Request a Zulip
- Request form here
2 Configure at least the following settings:
- Organization permissions & Authentication methods, to determine whether you will use "Invitations only" or "Aalto login" as the method to join the chat
3 Create your initial streams
4 Send your Zulip chat link and instructions on how to use the chat in your specific course, along with Zulip for participants tutorial, to the chat participants.
The instructions below are for chat owners. The chat owner role is assigned to the person who has requested a Zulip chat instance. At the moment, only Aalto staff members and teaching staff can request Zulip instances. There are also directions on how to use Zulip from a chat member perspective, which is an useful guide for students and anyone who is new to Zulip.
The chat instances are available at <chat-name>.zulip.aalto.fi
. Login to the chats is available with Aalto accounts. Email registration for external users is also possible via invitations. After logging in for the first time with an Aalto account, if no matching Zulip account was found, you are prompted to “Register” and create one. Once the Zulip account has been created, it should be linked to your Aalto credentials.
Have a look around and try out Zulip's features on Aalto Zulip's test chat.
Zulip's main view with streams, topics and message pane
1. Request a Zulip for your course
You can request a Zulip chat instance at https://zulip.aalto.fi/requests/ . Only teachers and staff members are able to request and act as owners in Zulip chats at the moment. Note that the chat instances will be removed after the course has ended, but the chat owner might request an extension if necessary.
If you encounter any issues, please report them to MyTeaching Support. You can also provide feedback, make requests and suggestions using the same email address.
You can test out Zulip at testrealm.zulip.aalto.fi. Use your Aalto login and keep in mind that this chat is for testing only.
1.1. After you have received the chat instance
Within few days of requesting an instance, you should have gotten details for your chat instance by email. After this you
Will be able to login to the chat instance <chat-instance>.zulip.aalto.fi with your Aalto account.
Should already have the owner role assigned.
Will be able to configure the chat instance from (gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner) -> Manage organization.
Please carefully read the Configuration sections 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 before making changes.
Will be able to appoint more admins/owners (e.g. TAs). To do that,
Ask them to login first;
Change their role from Manage organization -> Users.
Below are listed the most important settings found under Manage organization in Zulip. Note that it is your responsibility as a chat owner or admin to make sure they are set correctly. Make sure any owners/admins you appoint are aware of these as well.
1.1.1. Organization settings / Video chat provider
By default, it is set to
None
The default provider (Jitsi) has not been evaluated or approved by Aalto
Integration with Aalto Zoom may come later on.
1.1.2. Organization settings / Mobile notifications
Zulip offers both mobile and desktop apps. Starting from May 2023, Aalto Zulip allows mobile app notifications. The default setting is disabled.
Chat owners can enable notifications for all new members of a Zulip realm as a default, however this is not recommended. It's advisable that each chat member should enable notifications from the personal settings on their own account. Notifications are enabled separately for each chat realm. In a course, the teacher can recommend that the students should enable mobile notifications, if it is important that messages will be seen in real-time.
Detailed instructions on how to enable mobile notifications can be found in the Participating in a Zulip chat guide.
1.1.3. Organization permissions / Invitation settings
Do not set both “Organizational Permissions→Invitations = not required” and “Authentication methods→Email = enabled” at the same time.
You can enable signing up by Aalto account or any email address. Anyone from Aalto can be allowed to sign up OR you can make it invitation only. Unfortunately, you cannot combine settings to have an "anyone with an Aalto account may signup without invitation, but by email you must be invited” rule, due to a Zulip limitation. If the chat needs to include external users, you should make it invite only.
If you are only allowing Aalto Login (see ‘Authentication methods’): The invitations requirement can be set to
No,
i.e. the box can be left unticked (But still, anyone with Aalto account can join)If you are allowing external users/email registration (see ‘Authentication methods’): Set "Invitations are required(...) to
Yes and only admins can send invitations
. (You can invite people via their Aalto email address for Aalto login)
1.1.4. Frequently used settings
Organization permissions / Who can access user email addresses |
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Organization permissions / Who can add bots |
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Authentication methods |
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Users |
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Message settings |
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2. Practical hints for instance owners
Zulip is a chat platform where the way the conversation is organized makes a difference. Here is a collection of suggestions collected from teachers who have been using Zulip during the pilot phase.