Used in conjunction with the Canvas Quizzes tool, Respondus offers two products to increase the integrity of online exams. Lockdown Browser is a custom browser that allows you literally lock down the online testing environment within the learning management system, preventing students from moving away from the testing browser to another browser or application on their machine. Respondus Monitor, integrated in Respondus Lockdown Browser, provides additional exam integrity by monitoring student activity during an exam session. Using the student’s web camera, Monitor is a fully automated proctoring solution that enables students to take online exams at any time without pre-scheduling an exam session.
Click the Install Now button to download a zip file (.zip). Open the downloads folder and run the file titled “Install Respondus Lockdown Browser.”. Accept the terms, set the location where you want Respondus to be installed in your computer, and then complete the installation process. Download the latest Emory installer for Respondus LockDown Browser. Troubleshooting Respondus LockDown Browser. Blank screen during exam A blank screen indicates that the browser has lost connectivity with your institution's server, and the webpage cannot load into the browser. In most cases, you should be able to leave your exam, shut down.
Respondus Lockdown Browser prohibits the tester’s ability to navigate away from the testing environment or to open any other windows or applications during testing. Many instructors find this very helpful in maintaining online assessment integrity. While in the Lockdown Browser, testers view the assessment full screen and cannot minimize the window. The assessment also cannot be closed out until it is submitted for grading. Print, Print Screen, and screen capture functions do not work while the assessment is open and testers are unable to copy and paste anything to/from the assessment. Respondus Monitor increases exam integrity by providing a report to let instructors know if the student left the camera view or if another person came into the view.
Some features of LockDown Browser & Monitor are:
- Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized
- Assessments cannot be exited until submitted by users for grading
- Task switching or access to other applications is prevented
- Printing functions are disabled
- Copying and pasting anything to and from an assessment is prohibited
- Right-click menu options are disabled (Windows); key + click options are disabled (Mac)
- URLs cannot be typed by the user while links in questions that point to other servers don’t compromise the “locked” testing environment
- Hundreds of screen capture, messaging, screen-sharing and network monitoring applications are blocked from running
- The browser automatically starts at Rutgers login page for Canvas
- No advanced scheduling required
- And many other features…
Rutgers has an enterprise license for Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor.
Instructors should note that this tool does not restrict students from using other internet-enabled devices (tablets, smartphones, etc.) to search the web or Canvas site. Students should have administrator rights to install, update and run applications on their computer.
Available for student-owned Chromebooks and MS-Windows and Mac computers. Download required.
For more information and a complete list of features you can visit the Respondus Lockdown Browser page for more information.
Additional Resources:
- Respondus Knowledgebase
- For Students
- Video: Preparing an Exam for Use with LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor
- Can a Chromebook be used with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor? (Higher Ed)
- Important: Read the Known Issues.
- For Instructors
- Register for a free training webinar on LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor.
- Video: Preparing an Exam for Use with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor
- Can a Chromebook be used with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor? (Higher Ed)
- Important: Read the Known Issues.
- For Students
Relevant Documentation
Respondus LockDownBrowser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment withina learning management system, such as Canvas. It is used for securing onlineexams in classrooms or proctored environments. Once installed on a studentdevice, the LockDown Browser prevents any other applications from being useduntil the exam or quiz is completed.
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Respondus is not suitable for distance learning, onlyin-class assessments. Some remote learning classes may use this tool for timedassessments.
How do students install Respondus LockDown Browser?
Students must download Respondus LockDown Browser using a link that isunique to the University of Pennsylvania:
Download LockDown Browser (Respondus, University of Pennsylvania version)
Respondus LockDown Browser is currently only available for Windows or macOScomputers.
How do instructors configure Respondus LockDown Browser in Canvas?
Respondus LockDown Browser is currently only available to Canvas courses and is not available by default. Facultyshould contact CETS torequest activation for a course.
Respondus Lockdown Browser Free Students
We strongly recommend having students run through apractice exam before using the software on a graded assessment. It's importantto verify a working configuration for students before using Respondus on anactual exam.
Once activated, the LockDown Browser tab will be availablein the Canvas course site navigation panel. Follow these steps for eachdesired quiz in order to use it:
- Createa Quiz in Canvas and immediately set availability dates to prevent studentsfrom accessing it before it is secured.
- Click the LockDown Browser entry in the lefthandnavigation panel and authorize Respondus to access your account if asked.
- Click the Continue to LockDown Browser button.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu next to the desiredquiz.
- Check Require Respondus LockDown Browser for thisexam.
- Check Require LockDown Browser to view feedback andresults.
- Adjust optional Password Settings and AdvancedOptions, if desired.
After following these steps, the quiz will now require Respondus LockDownBrowser. These steps must be repeated for each quiz that requires it.
What are the limitations of Respondus LockDown Browser?
- Students must use the Respondus LockDown Browser tocomplete any quiz requiring it. No other browser will work.
- Students should download thesoftware and complete a practice quiz to verify that the software works ontheir machine. Only Windows and macOS are supported.
- Many classrooms do not have a sufficient number of power outlets to allowall students to charge their laptops at the same time. Be mindful of batteryconsumption while administering your quiz.
- The Respondus LockDown Browser is not installed in the CETS computer labs,so students will need to use their personal machines. Most, but not all,students have personal laptops.
- Be sure to provide a paper fallback in the event of technical problems.Students without personal laptops must also be allowed to take the quiz.
- Instructors must manually enable Respondus for each quiz that needs it. Itis not enabled by default, even after Respondus integration is added to theCanvas course.