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What is Respondus LockDown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a a special web browser that stops test takers from copying and pasting, printing, and accessing other websites or applications on the computer while taking the test. Through the LockDown Browser Canvas integration, instructors can configure a Canvas quiz to require students to take it with LockDown Browser. Both "classic" quizzes and "new" quizzes are supported.
The Respondus LockDown Browser website has additional details on how the browser restricts the actions of test takers. It does not prevent students from using a second device to look up answers or get outside help. LockDown Browser is intended for use in proctored, in-person environments (for example, a computer lab or classroom) unless it is paired with Respondus Monitor, which adds automated proctoring features.
What is Respondus Monitor?
Respondus Monitor is an add-on to LockDown Browser which requires the student to use a webcam to record themselves during the test to deter cheating. Monitor's algorithm analyzes the webcam recording and flags video segments that have potential cheating for instructor review.
Requirements for Using Respondus Monitor
Instructors that wish to use Respondus Monitor for online proctoring must follow the requirements outlined in UWGB’s Online Test Proctoring Policy.
Course Eligibility
Only distance education courses are eligible to use Respondus Monitor. In-person courses may use LockDown Browser without enabling Monitor.
Syllabus Statement
Instructors that elect to use any online proctoring tool are required to notify students through the SIS course listing and in the course syllabus. The syllabus statement should contain the following information:
- Which proctoring service will be used
- How students can access the service and minimum system requirements
- How students can practice using the tool (e.g., with a practice quiz)
- Where students can get technical support
For an example, please see the sample Respondus Monitor syllabus statement on the Syllabus Snippets page of the UWGB CATL blog.
Creating a Practice Quiz
Instructors should create a practice quiz with Respondus Monitor enabled and make it a required assignment for students before they need to take the first Respondus Monitor-enabled exam. This gives students a chance to install the LockDown Browser app, check their system, and walk through the proctoring steps before facing the stress of the real exam.
How to Require LockDown Browser for a Canvas Quiz
Follow these steps to set up a Canvas quiz to require that students take it with LockDown Browser:
- Navigate to the Canvas course and select LockDown Browser in the course navigation menu. A list of quizzes in your course will be displayed.
- Select the menu icon (down arrow) to the left of the quiz title and then select Settings.
- Select Require LockDown Browser for this exam
- Select the expand icon (+) next to "Advanced Settings" to configure advanced settings for the exam:
- Access code for this exam: Set an access code students must enter before starting the exam. Useful for exams proctored in-person. Only shown here for "classic" quizzes, but may be configured directly in the settings of a "new" quiz.
- Require LockDown Browser to view post-exam feedback and results: This setting is only shown here for "classic" quizzes. "New" quizzes which require LockDown browser always require it to view results. You must uncheck this setting if you want to use the "Only Once After Each Attempt" setting in the quiz. If both settings are enabled, students won't be able to view results.
- Lock students into the browser until exam is completed: Turning on this setting is not recommended for tests given outside of an in-person proctored environment. With this setting off, students will be warned twice if they try to exit the browser before submitting their quiz attempt and be required to enter a reason for leaving that is logged for the instructor.
- Allow access to specific external web domains: Useful to allow access to an ebook or other website during the quiz. Please see the Respondus Support Article Accessing external web domains in LockDown Browser for more information.
- Enable Calculator on the toolbar: Allows access to an on-screen calculator.
- Enable Printing from the toolbar: Allows students to print the exam screen.
- Select the Save + Close button or proceed to the next section if also enabling LockDown Monitor for the quiz
How to Enable LockDown Monitor
Follow these steps to enable LockDown Monitor for a Canvas quiz:
- Enable LockDown Browser for the quiz by following the steps in the section above. After enabling LockDown Browser, the option to enable Respondus Monitor appears.
- Under "Respondus Monitor", select Require Respondus Monitor (automated proctoring) for this exam.
- Select whether to record Webcam Only, Webcam + Screen, or Screen Only
- Select which Startup Sequence steps to include and use the Edit Text links next to the steps to customize instructions for students.
- Customize Face Detection Options and Advanced Settings. Select the "explain" link next to each setting for more information.
- Second Camera - Requiring a second camera effectively doubles the potential for students to experience technical issues during the test. Please consider that carefully when choosing whether to enable this option. Enabling the Require students use a second camera in addition to the webcam will require students to use a mobile device as a second camera for recording video of their workspace from a side angle. To use this feature, you must notify students of the requirement to record themselves with a mobile device in your syllabus.
- Select Save + Close
Preparing Students to Take a Quiz
Unless you are giving the exam in a campus computer lab, students will need to install the LockDown Browser application on their personal computer before attempting the quiz. LockDown Browser is pre-installed in computer labs at UW-Green Bay.
Prepare students for taking a quiz with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor on a personal computer by including the following in your Canvas course:
- A low-stakes practice quiz which uses the same LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor settings as the high-stakes quizzes in your course. Make this practice quiz a requirement for students and have it be available at the start of the course or at least several days before the first high-stakes quiz opens.
- The direct link for downloading LockDown Browser. This link is specific to the Universities of Wisconsin.
- The Student Instructions you can copy from the Getting Started tab of the LockDown Browser integration page in your Canvas course. You can also share a link to the GBIT Knowledge Base article LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor Student Guide.
- A reminder that students can access live chat support from the pre-exam startup sequence and within the browser's Help Center.
Accessing Proctoring Results
Follow these steps to access the proctoring results after students have taken a quiz with Respondus Monitor:
- Navigate to the Canvas course and select LockDown Browser in the course navigation menu.
- Select the menu icon (down arrow) to the left of the quiz title and then select Class Results.
Please see Respondus Monitor: Understanding Proctoring Results on the Respondus website for information on how to interpret results.
Flagged events and Review Priority results are not indicators that a student has cheated or committed an exam rule violation. Rather, they help identify recorded events that may warrant further review by the instructor.
Training and Support
For training on using Respondus Monitor, instructors can schedule a 15-minute call with a Respondus trainer or attend a weekly training webinar.
For instructor technical support, search for solutions or submit a ticket on the Respondus Support website.
Students can access live chat support while taking a test with Respondus Monitor during the pre-exam startup sequence and within the browser's Help Center. Support videos, quick start guides, and additional technical support information for students is available on this Respondus website Student Help page.