This article is written for G Suite for Education Administrators.

Introduction

This blog explains why and how to disable joining by phone in Google Meet to enhance classroom security and maintain a focused learning environment. Google Meet is an invaluable tool for virtual learning, providing a platform for real-time communication and collaboration. However, allowing participants to join via phone can lead to unauthorized access, distractions, and potential disruptions during class sessions.

By disabling the option for joining by phone, educators can ensure that only authenticated users access the meeting, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the online learning experience. Additionally, this blog will cover how Safe Doc facilitates the restriction of phone join options in Google Meet, empowering schools and organizations to enforce their security policies effectively. This proactive measure not only protects the classroom atmosphere but also fosters a more engaged and attentive learning community.

For more information, please visit  Google docs support.xFanatical Safe Doc removes Join and use a phone for audio in Google Meet

xFanatical Safe Doc removes Join and use a phone for audio in Google Meet

Why Disable Joining by Phone option in Google Meet for Education?

In educational settings, maintaining a secure and controlled virtual learning environment is critical for effective teaching and learning. The Join by Phone feature allows participants to join meetings using a phone number, which can lead to several challenges in managing classroom dynamics and ensuring student accountability.

When students are allowed to join meetings by phone, it becomes difficult for educators to verify attendance and engage participants effectively. This option may enable students to join without using their school accounts, increasing the risk of unauthorized access and potential disruptions. Furthermore, phone participation can make it challenging to monitor student engagement, as educators may not be able to see who is participating or actively contributing to the discussion.

Let’s understand the scenario through a user story:

  • Problem: Teacher Lisa, who conducts virtual classes using Google Meet, noticed that some students were joining her sessions by phone. This made it difficult for her to track attendance and engage with all participants, as she could not see their faces or gauge their reactions. Additionally, students who joined by phone were often less engaged in discussions and activities, leading to a disconnect in the learning experience.
  • Solution:To address this issue, Lisa decided to disable the Join by Phone option in Google Meet. By doing so, she ensured that all students had to join using their school accounts through a computer or mobile device, allowing her to see who was present and actively involved in the lesson.
  • Result: After disabling the Join by Phone option, Lisa experienced a marked improvement in classroom engagement. All students logged in through their accounts, allowing for better interaction and participation. Attendance tracking became easier, and Lisa could monitor student involvement during discussions, leading to a more connected and productive virtual learning environment.

By disabling the Join by Phone option in Google Meet for Education, administrators can help maintain a secure and interactive classroom setting, ensuring that all students participate in a manner that promotes accountability and engagement in their learning.

What is a xFanatical Safe Doc?

xFanatical Safe Doc is a comprehensive tool that helps Google Workspace admins maintain a focused and secure online environment. It offers robust tools to control online content, ensuring safety and productivity. Safe Doc integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, allowing admins to customize content filtering policies as needed.

Disable Joining by Phone option in Google Meet with xFanatical Safe Doc

Google Meet's Joining by Phone option allows users to join meetings via a phone call, providing flexibility for participants who may not have access to a computer or a stable internet connection. However, in educational settings, this feature can lead to unauthorized access to meetings, distractions from participants who are not intended to be in the session, or disruptions during lessons.

At this point, xFanatical Safe Doc becomes an invaluable tool. By implementing the BlockMeetPhoneInfo policy, you can disable the Joining by Phone option in Google Meet. Once this policy is set to true, users will no longer have the ability to join meetings via phone, ensuring that only those with appropriate access can participate. This enhancement promotes a safer and more focused learning environment by reducing the risk of unauthorized participants and minimizing potential disruptions during virtual classes.xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Use a phone for audio menu in Google Meet

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Use a phone for audio menu in Google Meet

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the join and Use a phone for audio menu in Google Meet1

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Join and use a phone for audio in Google Meet

xFanatical Safe Doc removes the Joining info in Google Meet

The Joining info in Google Meet is removed by xFanatical Safe Doc

How to Disable Joining by Phone option in Google Meet with 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 joining by phone in Google Meet.

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:

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 conclusion, disabling the Joining by Phone option in Google Meet is an important measure for enhancing classroom security and maintaining focused engagement during virtual sessions. By preventing students from joining meetings via phone, educators can mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access and ensure that all participants are in the designated digital space. This restriction promotes accountability, as students must use approved devices to attend, thereby fostering a more controlled learning environment. With xFanatical Safe Doc, schools can effectively implement this policy, supporting a safe and productive online classroom experience for all learners.

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.


You may also like