What site permissions in Mozilla Firefox are recommended when using Upswing?

In order to be able to use all of the functionalities of Upswing, especially the functionalities within our online learning center where tutoring sessions take place, you need to make sure that you've allowed specific permissions for the Upswing website within Mozilla Firefox. 

When you join the Virtual Learning Center from your Mozilla Firefox browser, the browser should prompt you to allow access to both the microphone and camera.

How to Allow Access to the Camera & Microphone in Mozilla Firefox

Allowing Access to the Camera

Allowing Access to the Microphone

Both Permissions Enabled

Once these two permissions are enabled, clicking on the site permissions logo next to the web URL should show that the permissions for both the microphone and camera have been temporarily enabled.

Both Permissions Blocked

If the button "Not now" is selected in the permission pop-up for either the camera or microphone, the permission to use those functions will show as "Blocked Temporarily". If these permissions are blocked, you will not have the ability to use your camera or microphone within your session until these permissions are allowed. 

Allowing Blocked Permissions While in the VLC

To allow these blocked permissions while you are in your session, start by clicking on the site settings icon next to the web URL. From there, click on the X next to Blocked Temporarily.

With those settings deleted, you'll be prompted to reload your page. Click on the counter-clockwise circle with an arrow in the top-left corner to reload your page. 

Once the page has reloaded, you'll now be prompted by Firefox to allow the permission again. Click Allow for both the microphone and camera.

Within the Audio & Video settings box, you should now see that your camera and microphone are connected. Click the blue Join Session button to join the session.

Using an External Microphone (Headphones or Headset) During Online Sessions

If you are using a microphone for your online sessions that is not the microphone built into your device (a headset, headphones, etc.), you will see a slightly different pop-up message when Firefox asks you to allow access to the microphone. 

In the permission pop-up, Firefox will show a drop-down menu that includes the external microphone you're using, as well as the microphone built into your device, with the default microphone automatically selected. The default microphone will likely be the external microphone you are using (your headset or headphones). Additionally, the permission pop-up will include a checkbox where you can allow access to all microphones (the checkbox next to "Remember for all microphones"). 

We recommend that you do not check this box, as you may encounter audio issues during your session if you disconnect from your external headset. Instead, simply select the microphone you wish to use, leave the box next to Remember for all microphones unchecked, and click the blue Allow button.

If you are using bluetooth headphones or a bluetooth headset during your online session and decide to use the microphone built into your device, follow the steps below to switch microphones:

1. Disconnect your bluetooth headset or bluetooth headphones.
2. A permission pop-up should appear again, prompting you to allow access to the microphone built into your device. Click Allow to grant permission.
   
3. You should now be using the microphone built into your device. However, if the other user in your session cannot hear you, click on the blue wrench icon in the upper-right corner of the Virtual Learning Center to open the Audio & Video Settings.
   
4. Verify that the correct microphone is selected in the drop-down menu below Microphone. You can test to confirm your microphone is working by saying a few words. The bars next to Input Level: should turn blue if audio is being captured.
   
5. To join the session again, click the blue Join Session button. Do not click the X in the top right corner of the Audio & Video Settings box, as this does not save any changes you made to your audio & video settings.