Using Respondus Lockdown Browser
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a customized browser designed to prevent students from cheating during online exams, whether at proctored labs or home.
Instructors can add quizzes to their Cougar Courses (Canvas) that require students to use Respondus Monitor browser plugin in their web browsers, recording students’ actions and being reviewed for any suspicious activities.
1. Use a Second MAC Address
If a student has access to a feature on their computer that assigns random WiFi connections to different MAC addresses, this could help circumvent Respondus monitoring of the device. In order for it to work effectively on school and business networks, however, the second MAC address would need to be configured with an unoccupied WiFi connection; otherwise it will still track activity on it even when not being used. Furthermore, this approach should not be employed if sharing passwords is an issue; Monitor can track device use even when not actively in use.
Respondus Lockdown Browser students wishing to disable MAC address tracking must navigate to its Settings and choose “Use a Random MAC Address” before saving. This will prevent multiple devices from sharing one MAC address, which could cause video streaming problems as well as making exams difficult without interruptions.
When an instructor creates a quiz in Canvas that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor system, students should understand its significance as part of taking their exam. Amazon Web Services powers this system; should it become unaccessible or unavailable they will not be able to take their exams.
Students needing access the LockDown Browser should go to their Canvas course and click on the link for any quiz requiring it. When the quiz opens, students should click “Download Respondus Lockdown Browser” and follow its instructions depending on their operating system (Windows or Mac). Once this process is complete, instructors should double-check that their webcam works before continuing on with further assignments.
2. Use a Virtual Machine
Cheating during online exams can be done several ways. One strategy is using a virtual machine, which allows you to run an operating system separate from your own PC while still accessing all other applications on the system. Respondus Lockdown Browser may run flawlessly in such an environment.
Another effective method of getting around Respondus Lockdown Browser is using a screen recorder. This tool will allow you to capture every activity occurring on your computer during an exam and thus detect any suspicious activities that might be taking place; in addition, this recording tool enables instructors to see exactly what is going on when monitoring exams.
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a custom browser created specifically to control testing environments for online tests and exams in Blackboard. This tool helps maintain academic integrity by prohibiting students from accessing any additional applications or websites while taking their exams or tests. To utilize it, first log-in to your student page before starting any required test(s).
If the browser isn’t required for your exam, you can open it by clicking RLDB label in Canvas quiz window and closing it by pressing X in upper right corner.
If your exam requires that you use a browser, be sure that you have a reliable internet connection and high resolution webcam. Your browser relies on these elements in order to detect cheating attempts; any time someone moves out of view from their webcam’s field of vision it could indicate cheating attempts and be flagged accordingly.
3. Change the Hotkeys
Respondus Lockdown Browser’s software features a set of keyboard shortcuts that enable users to gain access to computer functions without using the mouse. While many of these keyboard shortcuts also exist within standard web browsers, some may only work within Respondus – meaning students familiar with these may use them during tests to control the browser directly and bypass Respondus altogether.
Respondus Monitor extends the capabilities of Respondus LockDown Browser by offering an automated proctoring service using student webcams and industry-leading video analytics to prevent cheating during online exams. Instructors can enable Monitor for any test they create and deploy via Blackboard/Courses; once it has been deployed, any attempt to take an assessment from another browser will result in Blackboard alerting students that Respondus must be used instead.
Respondus allows students to access tests through personal machines by installing its software and clicking a link, with a dialog box asking for password protection against malicious programs that would attempt to gain entry while taking exams in managed environments such as testing centers or laboratories.
Students can find Respondus Lockdown Browser software for Windows, Mac and Chromebook (beta) by visiting the page that displays when they click Respondus Lockdown Browser link in Canvas. Once installed, students will be able to take exams; with it installed they’ll have protection from external programs while they take an exam as well as restrictions from printing/copying/photocopying as well as from accessing any other websites or applications on their computer while taking exams.
4. Use a Different Device
Respondus Lockdown Browser requirements may be met using other devices; however, for optimal results it is advised that students use either a Windows or Mac computer; iPads, Chrome OS tablets and Android devices do not work with this tool and its app cannot be activated during an exam or quiz preventing students from cheating or distracting others by activating it during this period.
Respondus Lockdown Browser must be downloaded when taking an exam requiring its use; when this requirement is noted in the test description, an inbound link to download this software is displayed; students can also obtain this link through their instructor or institution’s learning system.
Once students have downloaded and installed Respondus software, they can begin taking exams with it. It is best to do this well ahead of their test so they can troubleshoot any software or webcam issues as needed before beginning an examination. They should also run “System & Network Check” and “Webcam Check” within Respondus to ensure everything is functioning optimally.
Once a student has finished taking a quiz, they will need to submit it for grading. To do this successfully, they should close and exit their browser before clicking “Quit.” Failing this action could prevent submission for grading altogether and cause them to need to start over with photo, facial detection and environment checks again – so it is imperative they carefully follow all instructions provided for their success!
5. Use an Edited Registry
Respondus Lockdown Browser, also known as Monitor, protects students taking online exams that utilize it from printing, copying, saving files to their computers, accessing other websites or applications, taking screenshots, etc. The purpose of this software is to prevent cheating during non-proctored online tests.
However, students can use various strategies to get around this requirement during an exam by making some minor alterations to the registry. The registry is the part of Windows that enables programs to run properly – should any change go wrong it could even cripple an entire install of Windows!
Modifying the Respondus Registry File in order to change which actions browsers can perform is an extremely risky endeavor and should only be undertaken by someone experienced. Making any modifications could compromise stability on student computers and should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary.
Respondus recently unveiled a beta version of its Mac application built upon Chromium with several additional features designed to address previous issues. Students can download this new version from where they currently download our standard one, as well as viewing a video showing this new feature and showing that both applications can coexist on the same machine. Furthermore, Respondus Monitor videos were updated accordingly on our website with this information as well as to clarify that both can coexist on an individual machine. Finally, our beta app can now be found both for Mac OS X and macOS Sierra operating systems!