Week 10: Mute Tab Google Chrome Extension

This has been one of the most useful tools during virtual online instruction. The Mute Tab extension is pretty self-explanatory as it allows the user to mute selected browser tabs rather than muting the entire window of tabs or the entire computer.
During online instruction, I often use the breakout rooms feature in Google Meet to give my students a collaborative space to work together, or to work independently without having the distractions of me talking or other students taking in the "main call." In order to monitor students in each breakout room, I had to join the same meeting from two different tabs. In one tab, I stay in the "main call" and in the other, the breakout room (I was able to be two places at once, virtually). The only caveat being that I could hear students talking in every tab; talk about audio overload! My saving grace, the Mute Tab extension, allowed me to mute breakout rooms while still being able to toggle quickly back and forth to monitor, and students always saw that I was in their breakout room. 

Setting up this chrome extension is simple! Just search "Mute Tab Google Chrome Extension" and click on the link to the chrome web store. From there, just click "Add to Chrome" and it will pop up in your list of extensions. Click the push pin to add it to the tool bar!




To mute the tab, simply click on the mute tab extension icon while on the tab you want to mute!



Comments

  1. Jessica GilkeyMarch 13, 2021 at 12:24 PM

    Evan,
    This sounds like a wonderful Google Chrome extension! I'm always looking for new Google Chrome extensions. I wish I had known about this back in August! I love doing breakouts with my students and struggle to jump back and forth between the main call and breakout groups. This would also be wonderful if you're showing a video but don't want to hear the audio while it's presenting to students. Thank you so much for sharing! (Week 10 response)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 14, 2021 at 11:37 AM

    Evan,
    Google Extensions are amazing when you are able to find one that is useful in a time of need. Although our students are back in person at the elementary level and middle/high is coming back soon, this is a wonderful tool to use. I'm glad you have been able to be in two places to help the students as needed.
    Week 10

    ReplyDelete

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