| This article explains how students can safely communicate with others in SchoolSpace using video, audio, and chat. Communication settings can be adjusted to fit your school’s needs. This article also highlights tools that help schools create safe, positive experiences for all students. |
Keep reading to learn about:
Types of Communication in SchoolSpace
How can Students Communicate in SchoolSpace?
Students can connect and build community in SchoolSpace using:
- Video: Face-to-face video chat when near others
- Audio: Real-time voice chat when near others
- Chat: Direct messages and group channels
These features make it easy to collaborate, socialize, and have fun while staying safe.
How can Communication be Restricted?
Video
The ability for users to turn their camera on inside each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. When Camera Access is on, users can turn their camera on or off. When Camera Access is off, users will not be able to turn their camera on unless specifically enabled by a teacher or admin.
Learn how to control camera access in a SchoolSpace world.
When Camera Access is off, admins can still freely use their camera.
Audio
The ability for users to unmute themselves inside each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. When Microphone Access is on, users can turn their microphone on or off. When Microphone Access if off, users will not be able to unmute themselves unless specifically enabled by a teacher or admin.
Learn how to control microphone access in a SchoolSpace world.
When Microphone Access is turned off, admins can still freely use their mic.
Chat
Access to chat in each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. Chat settings are flexible:
- Chat channels can easily be turned off.
- Direct messages can easily be turned off.
To keep chat safe, SchoolSpace blocks over 6,000 words from being sent in a message. If a student tries to use a banned word, they’ll receive a notification that their message could not be sent.
Learn how to control the availability Chat Channels or Direct Messaging for all users in a SchoolSpace world.
If you want to prevent an individual student from accessing Chat Channels or Direct Messaging, you can ban them from Chat Channels in a world or ban them from Direct Messaging in all your worlds.
Silent Mode
When there are no Moderators present in a world, Silent Mode automatically activates and turns off:
- All video and audio communication.
- All chat communication.
This prevents students from unsupervised communication if the only Moderator loses their internet connection. Silent Mode can also be turned on or off manually at any time by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners.
Learn more about Silent Mode and how it can be activated automatically or controlled manually in a SchoolSpace world.
Silent Mode turns off communication for all users in a world including world admins.
Recommendation: Share Your Own Guidelines
To set clear expectations for students, we recommend posting your school’s guidelines or Code of Conduct for students to reference.
Link your school’s guidelines inside SchoolSpace:
- World Description: Directly list or add a link to your school’s guidelines in the world description for students to read before entering.
- On an Asset: Add a link to any asset in your world that opens your rules or guidelines.
- Video: Create a video to remind students of expectations while inside SchoolSpace and add it as media to any asset. The video will automatically play when students are near the asset.
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Example Guidelines:
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Why Digital Citizenship Matters
Being safe online isn’t just about rules, it’s about building skills for the future. SchoolSpace encourages positive digital habits which help students:
- Make friends respectfully.
- Communicate clearly.
- Handle conflict responsibly.
- Stay safe online.
Want to teach digital citizenship in your classroom? Explore these resources: Common Sense Education.