Browser Lock For Testing

There is a range of modern online tools designed to detect and deter cheating during online examinations, with browser lock being just one such solution.

This tool monitors examinees’ on-screen activities and disables printing, keyboard shortcuts, screen capture, and other desktop functions that could potentially compromise assessments. Instructors may require students to utilize this tool during assessments.

What is a Lockdown Browser?

Lockdown browsers are software programs that monitor on-screen activity and restrict its usage to specific tabs, desktop applications, keyboard shortcuts, screen captures and sound. A lockdown browser does not require webcam or microphone connectivity to operate effectively but may record video footage to detect cheating behavior during exams.

Students taking tests in Canvas can access the Lockdown browser by clicking on its link in the Navigation Bar for any quiz requiring it. Unlike the regular browser, however, this mode doesn’t permit copying and printing from screen content, visiting websites outside Canvas, closing browser windows until after testing is submitted; additionally it may permit calculator usage depending on faculty preference during an exam.

While a lockdown browser can reduce the chance of cheating during an assessment, it cannot prevent students from cheating through other means; such as having someone present to give answers or using paper cheat sheets. Therefore, it should usually be used alongside other proctoring tools which verify exam taker identity, provide audio/video proctoring, record testing sessions and more.

Faculty who wish to use Respondus browser assessments in their classes should carefully plan how they’ll implement it into their course. In addition to its Getting Started Guide, Respondus also offers several resources aimed specifically at instructors such as videos, guides, sample syllabus wording and additional training materials in its Monitor Instructor Resources page.

Instructors should provide students with access to Respondus Monitor prior to beginning tests or quizzes that require it, via course navigation or section of their courses. Furthermore, an initial practice quiz should be set up prior to assessments so students have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with Respondus before their real assessments begin.

Respondus browser is free for instructors, however there may be certain restrictions and conditions attached. For more information, please view the Respondus Help Desk FAQs or review them directly on Respondus website.

How do I use LockDown Browser?

LockDown Browser makes testing with students much more secure by locking down their computer during exams – they cannot leave or access other websites or applications, copying and printing are disabled as standard browser functions are also disabled – this ensuring no cheating takes place while providing faculty confidence that results received are valid.

Instructors who use LockDown Browser in their exams or quizzes can set it to automatically launch when an exam begins, saving instructors time while making sure all students have installed the appropriate version. Faculty also gain peace of mind knowing their students are being monitored during an examination process.

LockDown Browser exams allow instructors to set exams that require LockDown Browser as well as adding an optional password that proctors or students must enter before accessing the test. This prevents students from quickly closing their browser and exiting an exam before it has been submitted for grading – making this feature especially valuable in lab environments, where instructors can quickly check whether or not a student has left and revoke access if necessary.

Respondus Lockdown Browser may be configured for remote, automatically proctored testing without requiring Monitor’s web camera and microphone components, ETS has adopted this option for remote, automatically proctored testing which works best when conducted in lab or classroom environments to prevent students from accessing other programs on their computers during assessment time. It cannot be used on home/unmonitored computers as it won’t prevent students from gaining access to devices/programs like mobile phones/tablets etc.

Instructors using this feature should prepare a test in Canvas and post instructions on their course website so students know what to expect when taking an exam. A practice quiz should also be provided so students may become acquainted with using it prior to an actual assessment and be familiarized with its use. Finally, instructors should bring paper copies in case any students encounter technical issues while taking the exam.

What are the benefits of using LockDown Browser?

Browser lockdown software is straightforward to deploy for free and can provide some protection from cheating; however, it should not be considered as a comprehensive proctoring solution for online assessments. Cheating may still occur if students use secondary devices like mobile phones, tablets or another computer to look up answers during exams; in addition, students could easily rely on paper notes or have someone else take the exam on their behalf.

Respondus Lockdown Browser limits student access to websites and applications while disabling keyboard shortcuts, screen capture, right-click menus and function keys. Furthermore, its full-screen design prevents students from easily gaining entry to other sites without jeopardizing test taking security.

Instructors may assign tests with browser requirements that require students to download and install a browser before taking the quiz or exam. Instructors may assign non-graded practice exams so their students become acquainted with the software and make sure it has been correctly installed on their computers.

Respondus Monitor users will find a module available in the Commons with a quick start guide and instructions on copying student support materials into courses using Respondus Monitor. In addition, sample syllabus wording and instructions on using browser/monitor with tests are also included in this module.

To enable the browser, select “Require Respondus Lockdown Browser” under the browser requirements for your quiz or exam. For additional assistance, contact ETS or visit our Respondus Monitor resource site – where videos, guides and sample syllabus wording for instructors are all available here. For information on using Lockdown browser and webcam with Canvas click here; it is available on both PCs and Mac laptops as well as Chromebooks using Respondus Illuminate Lockdown Browser app from Chrome Web Store as well as multi-device managers such as Apple Configurator.

What are the disadvantages of using LockDown Browser?

Students have expressed displeasure at having to download and use LockDown browser programs for exams, with many reporting problems with them crashing or not functioning as intended and worrying that it violates their privacy. Others reported issues with their personal computers not supporting these programs or having connectivity problems – many courses at NC State require Respondus Monitor usage such as EC 202, FLS 101, MA 242, PY205 ECE209 MIE305 among many others.

These programs create a restricted testing environment by restricting students from printing, copying, visiting another URL or accessing applications; closing browsers or exiting tests is also prohibited, making this perfect for classroom and lab environments where supervised tests need to take place. Students can access this program on PCs, Macs and iPads (although setup of iPad access requires instructor approval and setup by an instructor); loaner laptops are available if needed.

While this software helps minimize cheating, it does not offer a complete solution. Students can still find ways around its restrictions using paper notes or other devices; to fully safeguard academic integrity a more extensive proctoring solution is required.

There are various online proctoring solutions, including blended proctoring which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor an exam session and flag any suspicious activities; this option can either be used alone or alongside live proctors.

Students often express concern that using these programs increases stress levels during an exam, reporting difficulty focusing on exams due to constant pop-ups and reminders from them urging them to keep browsing active, making tests seem shorter and harder than before.

Some students have voiced concerns that Respondus Monitor programs are ineffective at preventing cheating; students have reported being able to access other websites or applications on their computer while taking an exam, with others even having friends take it for them. Furthermore, many have complained that its videos recording violate their privacy and rights; nonetheless most instructors continue using these programs for online exams.