Introduction
In this article you will explore how to disable chat in Google Docs editors. The chat option is very helpful for collaboration but in schools students may misuse the feature for fun and distraction from studies. Google Docs editors provide the chat feature as a benefit but educators do not support it for disciplined classroom experience. Disabling this feature will enhance learning and create distraction-free classroom environment for students.
For example - Teacher Sarah shared a research document with two students to read and understand important point out of it. Rather than doing assigned task, they both found each other in chat section and started texting. This wasted students time as well as efforts of teacher Sarah.
Why Disabling Chat in Google Workspace is Important?
Chat communication is not bad but excess usage during ongoing class or mid of test is not appreciated. Disabling chat feature in educational settings is important for more productivity and focus in classroom learning.
Let’s understand the scenario through a user story:
- Problem: Teacher Sarah, a English teacher for k12 classroom, shared an research document among students. When two or more students accessed the doc, they appeared on right top of the document. then students learnt that they can chat through document and started texting each other completely ignoring the given task.
- Solution: Teacher noticed this and research for the solution. Sarah found xFanatical Safe Doc and discussed with admin to implement the Safe Doc policies to prevent students from texting through document during ongoing class.
- Result: As discussed, admin enforced Safe Doc policy to disable chat option in Google Docs editors and provide enhanced, safe and distraction-free learning. Teacher noticed effective change among students after blocking chat option. Students focused on assigned task and completed within time.
What is a xFanatical Safe Doc?
xFanatical Safe Doc is a extension for Google Workspace admins and users. It provides various useful policies to build safe and productive learning environment. Safe Doc's one of the effective policy is to block chat feature in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawings. Additionally, it offers policies to prevent students from adding other friends to Google Meet, prevent from sending feedback in Google Workspace, stop late assignment submissions in Google Classroom etc.
Video Demo
Disable Chat in Google Docs Editors with xFanatical Safe Doc
Remove Chat feature in Google Docs
Chat feature is useful for collaborating in real-time directly within the document but students use it for texting between themselves. It leads to distraction in learning and teacher loose control over students. Hence xFanatical Safe Doc performs important role of preventing students from misusing the chat option. It implements BlockInFileChat policy across Google Docs editors and block the chat option from appearing the the top of the document. All you have to do it, set the policy to true.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Docs
Disallow Chat option in Google Sheets
Google Sheets also provides the chat feature and leads to off-topic conversations. Using xFanatical Safe Doc's, set the BlockInFileChat policy to true and disable to chat option in Google Sheets.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Sheets
Inactivate Chat option for student in Google Slides
Similar to Google Docs and Sheets, enable the Safe Doc policy within Google Slides as well for effective learning environment.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Slides
Constrain on the Chat option in Google Drawings
Finally, enable the BlockInFileChat policy, to restrict Chat option Google Drawings as well. This helps to maintain controlled, distraction-free learning environment.
xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Chat option in Google Drawings
How to Block Chat in GWFE using xFanatical Safe Doc
Step 1: Get xFanatical Safe Doc:
To get started, you have to install xFanatical Safe Doc in your Google Workspace environment. It is a browser extension, which supports safe and distraction-free learning in educational settings.
Step 2: Configure Safe Doc settings:
Now, configure Safe Doc settings to disable the Chat feature in Google Workspace.
Step 3: Access Google Admin Console:
Next, navigate to the Google Admin Console. In the Google Admin Console, click on Devices > Chrome > Apps & Extensions > Users & Browsers.
Step 4: Set the Policy:
You will find the list of policies. Find the BlockInFileChat policy, if not found then add the policy as below format and set value as true.
"BlockInFileChat": {
"Value": true
}
Step 5: Save the Policy:
Once you are done with above step, click the Save to apply.
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
Disabling chat in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawings is a strategic decision to reduce distraction and promote effective learning. If are a school admin or a teacher who wants to foster safety measures during learning, xFanatical Safe Doc is for you. Learn more about Safe Doc and install today to get a 30 days of free trial.
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