This article is written for G Suite for Education Administrators.
Introduction
In this article, we’re going to explore the feature that disables the chat functionality in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. This feature is essential for maintaining focus and productivity, especially in educational settings where distractions can hinder learning. By blocking chat, educators can create a more controlled environment for students to work on their assignments without the temptation of unnecessary conversations.
Additionally, it’s important to note that this feature will also be disabled across other Google Workspace apps. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are not only free from distractions within individual applications but also throughout the entire Google Workspace suite, allowing for a more streamlined and effective learning experience.
For more information, please visit Google drive support.
Why disable Chat in Google Workspace for Education?
Disabling chat in Google Workspace for Education, particularly in apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings, can significantly enhance focus and productivity in educational settings.
Let’s understand the scenario through a user story:
- Problem: Teacher Sarah, a dedicated educator who values academic integrity in her K-12 classroom, faced a challenge during group projects. Some students were misusing the Version History feature in Google Docs by reverting documents to earlier versions. This allowed them to erase their peers' contributions, avoid collaborative work, and submit incomplete revisions. This undermined the core purpose of group assignments and created unfair collaboration dynamics, directly conflicting with Sarah’s goal of fostering accountability among students.
- Solution: To address this issue, Sarah sought to restrict access to the Version History feature in Google Docs. By disabling this feature, she ensured that students could no longer undo or revert changes made by others. This measure preserved the integrity of collaborative assignments and held each student responsible for their individual contributions.
- Result: With the Version History feature disabled, Sarah successfully upheld the collaborative spirit of group projects. Students were unable to delete or bypass their peers' work, leading to fairer participation and preventing students from avoiding their responsibilities. This solution reinforced academic integrity in Sarah’s classroom and helped cultivate a more productive, accountable learning environment for all students.
What is a xFanatical Safe Doc?
xFanatical Safe Doc is a comprehensive solution for maintaining a focused and secure online environment for Google Workspace admins and users. It provides robust tools to manage and restrict access to various online content, ensuring a safe and productive digital environment. xFanatical Safe Doc integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering administrators the ability to customize content filtering policies according to their needs.
Disable Chat option in Google Workspace with xFanatical Safe Doc
Remove Chat option Google Docs
Google Docs' chat feature allows users collaborating in real-time to communicate directly within the document. While this can enhance collaboration, in educational settings, it may lead to distractions, off-topic conversations, or even misuse during assignments.
At this point, xFanatical's Safe Doc becomes an invaluable tool. By implementing the BlockInFileChat policy, you can prevent users from using the built-in chat feature. Once this policy is set to true, the chat icon vanishes from the Google Docs editor. This ensures that students remain focused on the task at hand, fostering a more productive and distraction-free environment during collaborative work.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Docs
Disallow Chat option in Google Sheets
Google Sheets’ chat feature allows users collaborating in real-time to communicate directly within the spreadsheet. While this can facilitate teamwork, it can also lead to distractions or off-topic conversations in educational settings, where focused collaboration is crucial.
This is where xFanatical’s Safe Doc tool becomes essential. By enabling the BlockInFileChat policy, you can disable the chat feature in Google Sheets. Once this policy is activated, the chat option disappears from the toolbar, preventing students from using the feature during group work. This ensures students stay focused on their task and enhances productivity in classroom settings where distractions can hinder learning outcomes.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Sheets
Inactivate Chat option for student in Google Slides
Google Slides’ chat feature allows users to communicate while working on a shared presentation in real-time. However, in educational settings, this feature can be distracting for students, leading to off-topic discussions during collaborative projects.
At this point, xFanatical Safe Doc becomes an essential tool. By applying the BlockInFileChat policy, educators can inactivate the chat option for students in Google Slides. Once this policy is enabled, the chat feature is no longer available, ensuring that students remain focused on their presentations without engaging in side conversations. This helps maintain a more productive and distraction-free learning environment.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Slides
Constrain on the Chat option in Google Drawings
Google Drawings’ chat feature enables users to communicate while working on shared drawings in real-time. Although useful for collaboration, in educational settings, this feature can become a source of distraction, where students may use it for off-topic discussions rather than focusing on the task.
At this point, xFanatical Safe Doc is an invaluable tool. By enforcing the BlockInFileChat policy, administrators can constrain the use of the chat option in Google Drawings. Once this policy is activated, the chat feature becomes inaccessible, preventing distractions and ensuring that students stay focused on their drawing activities. This helps maintain a controlled, distraction-free environment during collaborative projects.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Drawings
How to block Chat in GWFE using xFanatical Safe Doc
Step 1: Install Safe Doc:
The first step is to install Safe Doc in your Google Workspace environment. Safe Doc is a browser extension that seamlessly integrates with Google workspace, providing enhanced control and security features.
Step 2: Configure Safe Doc settings:
Once Safe Doc is installed, you can configure its settings to disable the Chat feature in Google Workspace.
Step 3: Access Google Admin Console:
Now, navigate to the Google Admin Console. In the Google Admin Console, click on Devices followed by Chrome. Then, select Apps & Extensions and click on Users & Browsers.
Step 4: Copy the Policy:
Locate the policy that you wish to apply and copy it. The policy will display in a specific format similar to the example provided below:
"BlockInFileChat": {
"Value": true
}
Step 5: Save the Policy:
After applying the policy, click the Save button to apply it.
How to configure Safe Doc?
Ensure the deployment of Safe Doc on your students' Chrome browsers, and review the xFanatical Safe Doc Configuration document for detailed instructions.
Conclusion
In summary, disabling chat functionality in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings is a strategic decision that enhances focus, reduces distractions, and promotes a more conducive learning environment in educational settings. By eliminating the potential for off-task conversations, educators can encourage students to engage more deeply with their assignments and collaborate meaningfully. Implementing this restriction with xFanatical Safe Doc supports a productive atmosphere, empowering users to concentrate on their work without the interruptions that chat features can create. Ultimately, this fosters a culture of respect and accountability, ensuring that students maximize their learning opportunities.
To learn more about how xFanatical Safe Doc can help enhance online safety in your educational institution, visit our website Safe Doc
If you have yet to install Safe Doc, please get a 30 days trial.
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