• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

AllSides for Schools

  • About
  • Classroom Activities
  • Lesson Plans
  • Mismatch™
  • Take Action

Mismatch in your Classroom

  • How Mismatch Works
  • Conversation Guides
  • Close Up Conversation Series
  • Tech Requirements
  • Sign Up

Home » Mismatch » Technical Requirements

Technical Requirements

To help ensure a successful classroom experience with Mismatch, educators must understand and conform to several minimum technical requirements, across multiple categories.

Mismatch provides a mandatory pre-test for classroom systems, enabling educators to identify and eliminate technical roadblocks in advance of scheduled conversations. Additionally, all Mismatch conversations are covered by real-time technical service and support through a “Contact Us” button built into the platform.

Mismatch technical requirements and guidelines:

  • Mismatch is currently optimized for in-classroom use, not for students to use independently outside of classroom hours
  • Mismatch is designed to be used on classroom desktop or laptop computers that meet minimum hardware thresholds, not on tablets or mobile phones
  • Mismatch is designed for a 1:1 ratio of students to computers; sharing computers does not work well from an audio or video perspective
  • Mismatch requires classrooms to provide each student with an audio headset, preferably with built-in microphone, to eliminate feedback loops and ambient noise in classroom settings (earbuds and other personal headset devices can work, if compatible with classroom laptops)
  • Mismatch requires strong and reliable WiFi to sustain multiple simultaneous video connections
  • Mismatch works best on Chrome browsers (v70 or higher); other browsers may work but are technically unsupported
  • Computers should be plugged in and / or well-charged before Mismatch conversations take place
  • Some schools have elaborate firewall configurations that may prohibit classrooms from sending out their audio and video over the Mismatch platform; pre-testing will identify this issue

Technical Component

Technical Requirements / Supported Platforms

Hardware – Mismatch is not currently supported on tablets or mobile phones
– Chromebook (minimum 4G RAM)
– PC
– Mac
Power / Battery – Make sure all desktop or laptop computers are fully charged prior to Mismatch conversations (realtime video uses a lot of power)
– If possible, plug in computers during Mismatch conversations
Computer:User Ratio – Every participating student should be on his or her own computer (Mismatch is not optimized for shared video or audio on a single computer interface)
Browser / Version – Chrome browser only; v70 or higher
– Encourage students to close other browser windows not in use
– Discourage students from attempting multiple log-ins to Mismatch, since this will confuse the platform; instead, if having trouble, utilize the “Contact Us” button
Network / WiFi – Test network strength using this pre-test
– If possible, minimize other heavy usage on school WiFi during scheduled conversation
Audio / Video – Provide headset, preferably with built-in microphone, to each participating student (without headsets, multiple Mismatch conversations in a single room will generate feedback and audio loops)
– When using Mismatch for the first time, click “Allow” when prompted, to enable Mismatch to use the computer’s camera and microphone
– Students assigned to the same small-group conversation should move apart from each other in the classroom, to avoid creating feedback
– Remind students to use the Mute button when not speaking
Environmental – Spread out participating students as much as possible, to avoid audio feedback loops and other distractions
Password / Security – Mismatch is a browser-only platform and does not require students to sign in, authenticate, or use a password in order to access the platform; only the assigned URL is needed
– Students will provide their first name and last initial when entering the platform, both to generate a screen name display and to support troubleshooting as needed

See Conversation Guides Sign up for Mismatch

Footer

Follow Us

Follow us on Facebook!Follow us on Facebook!
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
A joint nonprofit program by LivingRoomConversations.org, AllSides.com and Mediators Foundation.

© 2019 AllSides for Schools