When taking an exams with SMOWL, it’s essential to ensure your microphone is working correctly. Here’s a guide to help you manage microphone permissions and troubleshoot common issues.
Microphone permissions
As you begin your activity with SMOWL, your browser will request permission to use your computer’s microphone. Granting this permission is crucial for SMOWL to access audio capture.
If you do not allow microphone access in your browser, you’ll see an alert like the one below:
Additionally, the SMOWL block icon will turn red,
and you might see a message such as:
"SMOWL is not correctly engaged, refresh your browser"
Ensuring Proper Microphone Functionality
It’s important to verify that your microphone is working correctly. Here are two simple methods to test it:
Online Mic Test: Use an external tool, such as this online mic test, to check your microphone’s functionality.
Windows Microphone App: Open the native Windows microphone application to test your microphone and view the audio waves.
Enabling Microphone Permissions in Chrome
If you're using the Chrome browser, follow these steps to enable microphone permissions:
Click on the icon in the URL bar of the page and enable the microphone.
The browser will prompt you to reload the page.
Once reloaded, the SMOWL block will show as correctly connected, indicating the microphone is working properly.
How it works and recommendations
SMOWL captures audio through your microphone when it detects noise. To ensure smooth operation, follow these recommendations:
Quiet Environment: Make sure you are in a noise-free environment during the exam.
Suitable Device: Use a device with a good quality microphone and a stable internet connection to avoid technical issues.
Pre-Testing: We highly recommend pre-testing your microphone to ensure it’s working correctly and there are no background noise issues.