Respondus Download
Some instructors require their students to use Respondus Download when taking tests in Blackboard, which prevents students from printing, copying or accessing other websites during an exam session.
This software can only be run on PC and Mac computers; an optional Chromebook extension is also available for students requiring it on mobile devices.
What is Respondus?
Respondus is a suite of remote proctoring tools for online testing that offers both students and instructors powerful, flexible, and seamless testing experiences. Respondus integrates directly with popular learning systems like Blackboard Learn, Canvas, Moodle, Brightspace Schoology Pearson MyLab McGraw Hill ALEKS as well as Windows Mac Chromebook devices to give students access to exams as they would any online content – both the student and instructor can also have access to post-exam video review and monitoring data for improved exam monitoring results.
Respondus LockDown Browser, the cornerstone of their suite of products, allows students to secure their computer during online quizzes or exams by blocking access to other browsers and applications that might interfere. Students can download it from Respondus website and install it before taking an exam that requires it; its availability extends across both Windows and Mac computers with limited support now being extended even for iPads and Chromebooks.
Students logging in to an online assessment are automatically prompted to install LockDown Browser. Upon installation, this enables them to take their test as usual using their mouse and keyboard; they cannot minimize, print, use shortcuts such as right-click/function key shortcuts etc; links will also be disabled during an assessment and screen capture feature will not function during this test session.
Respondus monitors provide additional protection by recording audio and video of students taking online assessments. Instructors can review these videos to identify any suspicious activity for further investigation, while requesting that students check both ID and surroundings during proctoring sessions for any signs of abnormal conduct or strange behavior.
ProctorU has been implemented at over 1,500 universities and used to proctor tens of millions of exams and over one billion minutes online proctoring. Due to its scalable design, ProctorU can also be utilized as an add-on service within popular video conference services like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Respondus provides its technology free to students. Respondus also provides students and faculty with various support options ranging from 24/7 live chat support for students to trainings and webinars; in addition, Respondus partners with third-party companies that provide additional services like identity verification and live streaming of students.
What is the LockDown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a dedicated web browser designed to prevent students from accessing other programs during an online test, making it suitable for use in proctored settings such as a classroom or computer lab. In order for it to function optimally, Respondus Monitor must also be installed and properly compatible computers must be free from viruses and malware must be selected as hosts.
Once activated, this program will close all other programs on a student’s computer (except one application that connects directly to the internet ) and prevent them from visiting any websites or using any applications until their assessment has been submitted for grading. Furthermore, Zoom is shut off, disabling them from any meetings they might be participating in; additionally browser will not permit taking Classic or New quizzes if they are signed into another course outside their current one.
While some schools use this program to foster a professional learning environment, many feel it breaches privacy standards. The browser and monitor track gestures, eye movements, sounds, etc to detect cheating attempts; you could even use this tool as a virtual mirror of each student to be observed by teachers in case certain patterns emerge that seem suspicious.
As it can be vulnerable to hacker attacks and cause various computer issues, installation on some computers may be challenging and may conflict with antivirus programs. Though effective for some students, exam fraud cannot always be avoided entirely and should only be used in carefully managed environments.
Due to these reasons, some students prefer alternative remote proctoring services like Honorlock and Proctorio that provide an easier testing experience for them. Both services are less costly than Respondus without needing separate software installations; plus they can even be used on mobile devices.
What is the Monitor?
Monitors are display devices used by computer systems to display output in pictorial form, including graphically displayed data, text and information as well as audio signals. They are sometimes known as VDU or VDT terminals. Computer monitors contain electronic circuits, power supply and some buttons which manipulate signals into pictures for display purposes. Monitors play an integral part in proactive response, data protection and overall system health management and can connect via VGA, DVI, HDMI or other types of connectors.
Respondus LockDown Browser can serve as a remote proctoring tool; however, students taking online tests with this program require downloading either Honorlock or Proctorio as a different alternative program to take their exams using Respondus LockDown Browser. Both these programs limit which applications and web browsers may be used simultaneously during testing – making cheating harder to accomplish during online examination.
Respondus breaches privacy standards by accessing student devices, cameras and microphones to proctor an exam; additionally it has been known to track eye movements to detect cheating – due to this issue many students opt to take their exams in classrooms or libraries instead of at home with Respondus software; furthermore it often glitches during test taking process, creating difficulties for those taking online exams with this software.
How do I download Respondus?
Respondus is often used by instructors for online quizzes and exams. Respondus allows instructors to ensure a secure testing environment by restricting printing, copying, going to another URL, using other applications on their computers while taking the exam; specific websites or calculators may also be permitted by instructors. Students can download Respondus ahead of time on their computers so it will be ready for when their quiz opens up.
Students can access this software via Blackboard’s Student Support Tab and should click their preferred version (Windows or Mac), follow prompts for downloading and installing, then follow any necessary instructions to configure their personal machine accordingly. It is also available as an extension for Chromebooks.
As part of the installation process, several dialogue boxes may pop-up asking for details such as an institution name, local support contact, license password and license password (this information can be found in the Respondus Licensing Information File (click to access). Once installed, an Equation Editor requires an update; simply click Yes in response. For further instructions and troubleshooting tips consult the Respondus 4.0 User Guide (click to access). Please be aware that If your machine runs Anyware OS first before installing Respondus.