Help centre · Classes

The microphone check

The teacher needs to hear your child. The first time a device is used for class, and whenever it hasn't passed this check in the last 7 days, the check before class also tries the microphone:

  1. Your child presses Turn on the microphone. The browser may ask whether the page can use it: a grown-up taps Allow.
  2. Your child says "Hello, teacher!" The bar moves when the microphone hears them, and once it has heard a voice they press Walk into class.
  3. Is the bar still while your child talks? Try a little louder, close to the screen. A grown-up can also press Skip and go into class.

What the check hears stays in the browser: it isn't sent anywhere or kept. The browser keeps only when this device last passed the check.

When the microphone doesn't turn on

The screen tells a grown-up why:

  • Blocked: The browser isn't letting this page use the microphone. The steps for each kind of device are below.
  • Busy: Another app, such as Zoom or Teams, may be using the microphone. Close it, then press Try again.
  • Missing: No microphone was found. Plug one in or switch it on, then press Try again.
  • Anything else: The microphone didn't start. Press Try again, or reload the page.

Allowing the microphone

The screen shows the steps for the device it's on, and Show other devices shows the rest.

Chrome or Edge on a computer

  1. Click the icon just left of the web address.
  2. Turn on Microphone, or set it to Allow.
  3. Still blocked? Turn on the microphone for the browser in the computer's privacy settings.
  4. Press Try again. If that doesn't work, reload the page.

Safari on a Mac

  1. Click Safari in the menu bar, then the settings for this website.
  2. Set Microphone to Allow.
  3. Press Try again.

Safari on an iPad or iPhone

  1. Tap the page menu (aA) by the web address, then Website Settings.
  2. Set Microphone to Allow.
  3. Still off? In the Settings app, find Safari, tap Microphone and choose Ask or Allow.
  4. Come back and press Try again.

A Chromebook

  1. Click the icon just left of the web address, and turn on Microphone.
  2. In the Chromebook's Settings, under Privacy and security, check that Microphone access is on.
  3. A school-managed Chromebook may block the microphone. If it does, ask the school, or use another device.
  4. Press Try again.

Any other browser

Look for a microphone or lock icon by the web address and allow the microphone, then press Try again.

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