Blackboard Respondus Lockdown
Canvas quizzes that require Respondus Lockdown browser may require students to use it; this browser prevents students from printing, copying, visiting another URL or using other applications on the computer.
Students must download and install Lockdown browser onto the computer they will take their test on. Most issues with this software arise due to it not meeting system requirements.
What is Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser (RLB) is a downloadable software application designed to facilitate students taking assessments online in a customized Internet browser, without replacing any existing browser(s). When the RLB app is opened it displays a custom web page containing an assessment and once finished is closed with no pages cached or stored in history listings or source codes being viewable allowing task switching and viewing other applications or websites not allowed.
To ensure the most consistent testing experience for all test-takers, it is vital that students use the same version of Respondus Lockdown Browser when taking online assessments. Instructors should provide students with access to the latest available version. If using Blackboard Course Copy tool to move tests with Respondus Lockdown Browser enabled across courses, instructors must visit Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard within each copied course in order to resynchronize Respondus Lockdown Browser software with its test.
Instructors requiring their students to use Respondus Lockdown Browser tests must instruct their pupils to download it onto their personal computers prior to beginning any assessment. Installation is quick and painless; just one download needs to happen per computer! After installing, students can launch it by clicking an exam link in a course.
Lockdown Browser software will prohibit students from accessing any applications or websites other than UVM’s Blackboard Learn server during an exam, including any normal browser features that could obstruct it, like resizing screens or switching websites or applications; in particular, clickable hyperlinks within an assessment can often lead to cheating; furthermore printing or copying during assessments are prohibited due to this program.
How do I use Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser is an application students must download and use when taking a Blackboard Canvas quiz assessment in which their instructor requires a proctored testing environment. When students take proctored exams (such as in class, computer lab or testing center settings) Respondus locksdown blocks access to certain programs on a device preventing students from using unauthorized software to cheat during exams as well as browsing to other websites or opening files on the device during assessments.
When students click links within Blackboard courses requiring proctored testing environments, a window will pop-up asking if they would like to install Respondus Lockdown Browser software. If they click yes, installation begins and they can then access their exam link by clicking it; once complete they will regain control of their device.
Respondus Monitor tools enable instructors to facilitate tests, which when opened by students will initiate a startup sequence with instructions for webcam verification and capture, screen capture requirements and any other requirements listed by their instructor for that type of assessment. If they fail these assessments they won’t save their attempt; rather they will receive a failed grade in My Grades area.
Once they have taken and passed their quiz, students can close the Lockdown Browser and return to Canvas course. If they need to leave during an assessment session for any reason, click the exit button in browser window and leave an entry for their instructor.
Whenever students wish to reuse the browser in future classes, they should click on the restart button in their browser window and follow its instructions. If they need any changes made to their installation preferences, contact their campus technical support team immediately; alternatively it would be ideal if all installations used similar settings. This would make staff’s job simpler as staff will know exactly which settings to apply across each installation of their browsers.
How do I require students to use Lockdown Browser?
Requiring students to take tests online using Respondus Lockdown is the most effective way of promoting academic integrity in online submissions, as this ensures they only access approved materials when writing responses and doesn’t allow them to reference any unapproved resources during testing. You can make this requirement apply for quizzes, exams, assignments or portfolio submissions you create or import into Blackboard.
When creating an assessment, click the Options button and select Require Respondus Lockdown Browser for this exam. You will then have the opportunity to enter a password that students must use when taking this assessment – this password should not be shared with students as it’s different than “Test Options” page password. In addition, you can choose whether students may access calculators on toolbars and enable printing from assessments; you may even check off box to verify student identity with webcam verification.
Students taking an exam or quiz requiring Respondus Lockdown Browser should review its Student Quick Start Guide and general online testing tips in advance, installing all required Respondus tools well in advance in order to become familiar with them and avoid any unexpected difficulties during testing day.
As soon as a quiz or exam starts, if Respondus Monitor was selected for this assessment, students are reminded to download and enable Respondus Monitor tools before beginning to take their assessment. If they try opening an assessment without first doing this, an error message appears warning them they don’t yet have Respondus installed and providing directions as to where to locate them.
Students viewing their scores in the Grade Center will notice a “Required Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor” note next to them. If a student shares their Monitor password with others, you will be able to identify them easily using the list of Participants within their Monitor Dashboard dashboard.
How do I disable Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser/Monitor is a standalone browser and application from Blackboard used by students when taking tests in Canvas. Before taking their exam, students will have to download and install this Browser as it ensures a more secure exam environment during proctored exams.
Blackboard allows you to restrict student access to their regular browser by requiring Respondus Monitor when creating tests, so as you create exams you can enable this option under Tools’ Exam pages (Create an Exam Page, Create Exam). When this feature is active and students submit attempts, Grade Center displays will show they were taken using Respondus Monitor even though they may only have used regular browser.
If you wish to waive the requirement that students use Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor, navigate to the course containing the exam in which it takes place and click the Fix it button next to each test. In the Options tab, uncheck any options which would make use of them unnecessary for this exam.
Respondus Monitor recommends students use an Ethernet connection when taking exams with it, as this will offer the most stable connection to the exam server and reduce interruptions during tests. Furthermore, students should close any programs or windows they aren’t using before starting Lockdown Browser to decrease how many files and applications need to be closed when Lockdown Browser launches.
Instructors should avoid giving out WebAssign test passwords directly, so students should use only those found on Blackboard’s “Edit Test Options” page and share it only with Testing Center staff members.
Some students may encounter difficulty when taking tests that require Lockdown Browser because they cannot advance to the next question or submit their answer after the allotted test time has expired. If this occurs, students should first try restarting their browser and reentering the examination, if this doesn’t work contact their IT department immediately for assistance.