Epcc Lockdown Browser
Many NC State courses require their students to utilize an online test lockdown program when taking exams online. This feature prevents them from printing documents or visiting websites during an exam as well as accessing other apps during it.
Some instructors also utilize Respondus Monitor, a video recording tool that helps instructors detect signs of academic dishonesty during unproctored online assessments. Available on Windows, Mac and Chromebooks.
How it works
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a custom browser designed to protect students while taking exams in Canvas. When students take quizzes with this extension installed on their browsers, they are prevented from printing, copying, accessing other websites/apps or closing out until their test has been submitted for grading. Instructors may use its optional Monitoring feature to record student video/audio during online, non-proctored exams.
If your teacher uses a Blackboard test that requires you to download and use RDB, please follow the link in your course to do so. Installation process should not be difficult on most personal devices; NMSU lab computers will need an administrator for installation purposes.
Once RDB has been installed, it should open to the NMSU login page. Log in with your SC4 username and password before selecting an exam you wish to take – if your instructor set one up with a password for it enter it here before clicking Continue.
Security
Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor was designed to create an environment in which students cannot access other websites, applications, devices while taking an exam online proctored. Furthermore, using Canvas’ webcam recording feature instructors can monitor students taking quizzes using Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor; reviewing recorded footage can serve as security assurances.
Once users download and open the file, they are prompted to install and run the application on their device. Once completed, students can log into their Canvas course and begin taking quizzes.
Accessibility
LockDown Browser supports assistive technologies, including screen readers. The browser complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0), does not block these assistive technologies and has been tested and verified to work with NVDA, JAWS and MS-Windows Narrator on Windows platforms; additionally it does not interfere with ChromeVox built into operating systems.
On a Mac, keyboard shortcuts for navigating and entering text work with Apple Voice Control application. VoiceOver functionality does not work on essay type questions in Blackboard or D2L Brightspace due to limitations within those learning systems and is outside the purview of LockDown Browser; ChromeOS Dictation feature works within browser with some limited functionality while Nuance Dragon may even work inside an exam within LockDown Browser.
Pricing
Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor is available free to EPCC students and allows them to take tests in an environment which cannot be compromised; such as printing, copying, visiting other websites/apps/quizzes before it has been submitted for grading. In addition, its monitor feature records students during online non-proctored quizzes in Blackboard; students without webcams may use their smartphones with this feature instead – for more information please reach out to Technology Support for details.