AP Lockdown Browser
Lockdown Browser is a custom browser designed to work with specific learning systems and prevent students from printing, visiting other URLs or accessing applications during online exams.
Students can install Respondus browser through either an assignment page link or directly from Respondus Knowledge Base, but instructors should provide clear instructions so students can start right away.
Features
Lockdown browser for students allows instructors to control whether students can see their test results immediately after taking an exam and also block other applications on students’ computers while taking exams online. This feature helps prevent cheating during testing as well as provide more accurate feedback, potentially increasing student learning by providing timely results.
The lockdown browser is compatible with numerous devices, from tablets and laptops to school-managed Chromebooks. The lockdown browser was designed to work in tandem with other proctoring tools like Respondus Monitor and Respondus video recorder, helping prevent students from cheating during online testing by identifying which device they are using – though this may not always detect other devices such as mobile phones or other cameras; furthermore it doesn’t prevent students from accessing screen sharing or multiple monitors on their computers.
Respondus Lockdown Browser for Home or School Chromebooks allows students to securely take tests online using this secure browser. Instructors should inform students they need the lockdown browser when conducting assessments online; two Knowledge Base pages also contain valuable information on using Respondus software.
If a student encounters an issue with their software, they can contact College Board for assistance. Furthermore, it is advisable for students to update their iPads to the most up-to-date operating system version before taking an AP test on them and uninstall any old versions of software before an exam to ensure it works correctly.
Some users have reported issues with certain features of their browser, such as link blocking. While these issues do not originate within the browser itself, but rather with its components; IT administrators can easily resolve these problems by upgrading underlying components to work as intended – this will solve the issue and allow software to function properly again.
Benefits
Employing the appropriate browser lockdown solution can transform any off-the-shelf device into a secure web kiosk for customers and employees, helping prevent accidental browsing to distracting sites or downloading malware, which could otherwise disrupt business processes costing organizations millions. Furthermore, such solutions increase productivity by providing users with access to vital information without being interrupted by social media or nonwork-related websites.
Kiosk lockdown solutions go beyond simply blocking certain browser functions and applications; they also restrict access to other processes running on a user’s machine, helping protect students from cheating during online exams by using additional devices or programs to look up answers; it also prevents students from copying and sharing answers illegally.
Many educators worry about cheating during online exams. Although certain proctoring systems require students to use webcams in order to verify student identity, others monitor examinee activity on-screen and disable other programs and applications – none of these measures are foolproof; many students find ways to bypass security measures – for instance using their smartphone while taking an exam, searching online information sources during a test, taking paper notes with them during an exam, etc.
Respondus has designed a browser specifically for online exam taking in a controlled environment, used by over 2,000 educational institutions to secure exams in classrooms and proctored environments. Features of Respondus’ browser include customizable interface and ability to block external apps, programs, or content – it even enables instructors to monitor student progress real time!
The latest version of SEB boasts enhanced functionality and security features. For instance, it now automatically generates and sends Browser Exam Key (BEK) hashes via HTTP requests; compatible assessment systems can use these hashes to verify whether a certain SEB configuration was indeed used for an exam – an invaluable feature when considering BYOD solutions where students use any device of their own choosing to take an examination.
Other enhancements include the ability for web developers to activate developer tools in the browser engine, a new settings option to disable task bars on Windows, and control over permitted processes. It has also improved the user interface with thumbnails of open windows being shown when switching tasks (ALT+TAB). And finally, when used in SEB-Moodle Deeper Integration mode it now fully compatible with Moodle 2.3.x!
Pricing
Browser lockdown stands apart from traditional proctoring software by not requiring webcam use to operate; instead it limits desktop features, web search, apps and anything else that might lead to academic dishonesty. Unfortunately, it may not provide sufficient protection due to not verifying an examinee’s identity and being vulnerable to hacker attacks.
Browser lockdown can also be detrimental to examinee computers and lead to issues with system overloading, potentially leading to loss of Internet connectivity and test access. Furthermore, some examinees may experience technical difficulties due to antivirus programs interfering with software applications used during tests.
Respondus provides a 24-hour chat service for students having difficulty starting their exam with Monitor. Before beginning an exam, make sure that your computer meets minimum requirements, shutting down extra monitors or helper programs as appropriate, and launching the Monitor application.
Students need a working webcam, stable Internet connectivity and a reliable operating system in addition to having a functioning Respondus browser and operating system that are compatible with online exams. Chromebooks do not work well with Respondus browser and should not attempt online exams using Respondus browser assessments created by publishers; faculty should work closely with publishers in ensuring any assessments that use Respondus will work well for their student population; students should check course requirements prior to attempting an exam using Monitor.
Installation
LockDown Browser, an AP teacher-required proctoring software which experts have expressed concerns over, has the capacity to breach student privacy and security. LockDown Browser temporarily blocks certain system functions while taking over screen functions like menu toolbar and shortcuts; in addition, its claims that it has direct access to an operating system has caused worry among privacy experts. Thankfully, this free download from the internet must be installed prior to an exam starting; otherwise browser and computer may stop responding or freeze entirely and require hard shutdown; to restart computer; so a hard shutdown must take place first.
Some students have reported that LockDown Browser stops responding when trying to access links in a quiz, due to conflict with other programs or security windows opening behind it. They had to close all programs and address security windows before being able to reopen their browser again to continue taking their quiz. If your computer and browser suddenly stop responding prior to an exam ending, it is imperative that a hard shutdown be performed – unplugging all power cables as well as batteries (if applicable).
LockDown Browser is a customized web browser that restricts students’ ability to print, copy, navigate to another URL or switch applications during online tests. If required by their instructor, students must download this software on their computers if it will be used during an exam; some learning systems allow this directly from course or exam pages while other require students to open up a standard web browser and navigate directly to exam page before clicking a ‘Launch LockDown Browser’ button before commencing with exam.
LockDown Browser requires students to have an Ethernet connection when taking tests; wireless, USB modems or laptop connect cards should not be used; mobile hotspots or other wireless networks should also not be used as part of test administration. Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor instructors may create practice exams so their students may familiarize themselves with using LockDown Browser before their actual exams begin.