Blackboard Lockdown Browser Download
If you receive this error message, it indicates that either a virtual environment is active on your computer, or software prevents Respondus LockDown Browser from functioning correctly. For further assistance please reach out to your instructor.
Download the UofL version of Respondus Lockdown Browser using this link, along with a student Quick Start Guide (PDF).
Features
Blackboard Lockdown Browser Download is a software application that restricts students’ ability to print, copy, access other websites or applications while taking an online test or exam in Blackboard Learn. Furthermore, it prevents students from closing assessments until it has been submitted for grading; works only with Respondus Lockdown Browser-created tests; standard browsers cannot access these tests.
Respondus Monitor adds an additional level of protection for proctored exams when used together with Respondus Lockdown Browser. Respondus Monitor records video footage of student taking tests while employing sophisticated analytics to detect any suspicious activities during testing sessions, so instructors can review it pre and post test for suspicious activities and check any recordings for suspicious activity before and after exams to detect potential issues – providing greater security than can be obtained via Respondus Lockdown Browser alone.
Some instructors require Lockdown Browser and webcam for all online exams in their courses; if this is the case, this will be specified in the course description or syllabus. Alternatively, an instructor might choose to require online proctoring tools for a single test in their course, giving all students equal opportunities while still making sure it takes place under Monitor’s surveillance.
To ensure students use Monitor in taking their tests, it is crucial that they understand if they need to pause prior to submitting for grading, they should enter an explanation for doing so – this will make their participation visible to instructors who will then be able to identify any students who did not utilize Monitor within the course.
To ensure students are adequately prepared for exams that require them to use Lockdown Browser with a computer equipped with webcam, instructors may want to create a quick start guide and distribute it via their LMS. This includes instructions for getting Lockdown installed onto computers as well as links and installation information for Lockdown UA versions of Lockdown Browser.
Requirements
If your faculty requires you to take a test or quiz that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser (and possibly Monitor), be aware of certain requirements. These include having access to a recent version of OS that supports it and following all installation instructions provided for installing software. Taking an exam must also occur in an environment without disruptions – no other applications or websites, mobile phone texting/calling capabilities, mobile phones texting/calling back or closing of browser can interfere with taking this exam successfully.
Make sure that your computer meets the technical requirements for using the Respondus Lockdown Browser and has access to a reliable Internet connection, and login to Blackboard Learn and the course that contains an assessment. When everything is set, download it either from Student Resources page, Blackboard Course Integration with Respondus Lockdown Browser application (Test and Assignment settings), or directly through Respondus Lockdown Browser integration software and follow its quick start guide on installing. It must be installed on either desktop or laptop computers only – Chromebooks do not work!
Respondus Browser can help make test or quiz administration simpler by offering students access to calculators in their toolbar, setting timers, randomized questions/answers and aligning goals – but features that require live proctoring are unavailable through it.
This browser is displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized, resized, or exited until submitting the test for grading. While its functions resemble that of an ordinary browser, some options have been disabled or may behave differently during assessments. During an assessment session, an instructor can monitor for inappropriate behaviour such as switching tabs or clicking inappropriate options.
Some instructors use Respondus’ Monitor feature to record video of you taking an assessment test. This provides additional verification of your identity and allows instructors to see that you are being honest and giving it your all during testing. Afterward, instructors can review this footage to identify any suspicious activities.
Installation
If your instructor has configured a test in Blackboard that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser (LDB), you must download it prior to taking your exam. LDB is a custom browser designed to ensure a controlled testing environment and prevent students from printing, copying, visiting other URLs or accessing applications during an exam. Furthermore, Respondus Monitor acts as an automated proctoring service recording audio and video of students’ computers that acts as an additional deterrent against cheating during online exams.
Once downloaded from your university’s website, open it up and follow the on-screen instructions for installation on your computer. When installed, click on its icon in your application folder or from a link within your course to start an online assessment which requires it.
Once LDB has launched, it will take you directly to Blackboard login page and allow you to log in with your USC Net ID and password and go through identity verification process. After doing so, you will be taken directly to your assessment, which looks just like any Ultra test – except it prevents students from referencing outside information while taking an exam and changes after initial submission are not possible.
The LDB blocks other programs that connect to the internet, keyboard shortcuts, function keys and screen capture from working. Compatible with either Windows or Mac OS X platforms and used for taking exams either Original Course View or Ultra Course View tests – note however that its full-screen browser nature means it cannot be minimized, resized or closed before your test has been submitted for grading; neither progress bar nor grading menu are displayed until submitted for grading; for help navigating it please view this tutorial, which also offers detailed explanations of features found within it.
Setup
Some instructors require their students to use Respondus LockDown Browser when taking exams in Blackboard Learn. This browser prevents students from printing, copying, going to other websites or applications and closing the exam before it has been submitted for grading. Installing and using Respondus LockDown Browser is straightforward – simply download from either UALR’s Windows or Mac website and follow their instructions on how to set it up and use it!
Students can access the browser through Blackboard courses; however, some learning systems require students to first open a regular browser, log in, locate their exam and click “Launch LockDown Browser.” If this option is enabled it will launch the browser automatically; students can refer to their Quick Start Student Guide for assistance on using this tool.
After installinging this program, students can navigate to any Blackboard course with an exam they need to take and log in using their account credentials. When they reach their test page they will see a message informing them they must use LockDown Browser; clicking on an icon depicting a world globe with padlock will open it and begin the exam process.
Once in the test, students can use browser controls to answer questions. The toolbar contains only basic options; students cannot enter URLs or open additional tabs (unless permitted by question) nor print, use keyboard shortcuts, screen capture or right-click functions; browser is displayed full screen without being minimized or resized; toolbar cannot disappear during assessment and students cannot close browser until after submission of work.
Though a locked browser prevents students from copying, visiting other web sites, or opening additional applications during an exam session, they could still lose Internet connectivity and become disconnected from the system, leading to either failure or no score for that exam. Students should make sure that they have reliable internet connectivity prior to starting any exam; any issues should be reported immediately to their instructor for help.