Kaplan Respondus Lockdown Browser
If your instructor has enabled Respondus Lockdown Browser in a quiz, simply follow these instructions to download and install it on your Chromebook.
LockDown Browser blocks access to other programs on your computer while taking a quiz, in order to prevent students from googling answers or cheating by turning to classmates for assistance during an exam.
What is Kaplan Respondus Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a customized browser that enables students to take tests within Canvas without being able to print, copy, access another application/URL/system settings, etc. Additionally, Respondus Lockdown can record students as they take an exam so that instructors may watch a video recording of their exam answers.
Instructors can make this tool available to their students in online and in-person classes by creating a quiz in Canvas with “Request Respondus Lockdown Browser” enabled as one of its options in the Options menu of its quiz editor, accessible by clicking on its pencil icon. Students should ensure they download and install Respondus Lockdown Browser prior to taking an online test so it will be ready when needed.
The software installed on each student computer runs on Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF), meaning it looks and functions similar to browsers using CEF like Google Chrome. Canvas LMS tools and content work fine with it while publisher tests or content accessed through LMS links may not.
Additionally, it prevents students from abusing search engines to cheat by looking up answers online or asking fellow students via messaging apps for answers. It can record user mouse movements and keystrokes and send them to an instructor for review.
Students can install Respondus Lockdown Browser from either a downloadable installer or the Respondus website, the latter of which features an instructional video and practice quiz to familiarize users with its use. Students should watch and complete this practice quiz prior to taking an online test that requires this tool.
Some users experience difficulties with their browser and experience trouble with it not responding or freezing, the most likely culprit being antivirus software running on their computer. If this is the case for them they must perform a hard shutdown and close all applications before rebooting for it to function correctly.
How do I use Respondus Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser provides an efficient testing environment, restricting students from accessing other applications or websites during assessments. Used in tandem with proctors or instructors to ensure student honesty during online exams, Respondus Lockdown Browser can be deployed anywhere from classrooms and labs to distance learning courses – providing easy use for both instructors and students alike! Students find its use intuitive while instructors can create practice exams to familiarize them with using it before graded assessments are administered.
Respondus Lockdown Browser requires students taking tests or quizzes in Canvas courses which require it. When they click a test that requires it, a message appears asking them to download and install the program before being forced back to their regular browser until their exam has been submitted for grading.
LockDown Browser’s toolbar is limited to forward, backward, and refresh functions; students cannot resize or move it. They also cannot print, copy, or enter another URL while taking exams; other features like screen capture, keyboard shortcuts, function keys and right-click menus are disabled as well. Finally, this program displays full screen and cannot be minimized or closed until all exams have been submitted successfully.
Along with helping instructors detect cheating, this program also allows instructors to view video clips of students taking exams. Instructors can then review these “red flag” clips to assess if any student was trying to cheat and take appropriate action against them.
Respondus Monitor, built on LockDown Browser and using video analytics to automatically verify student identity during non-proctored exams, can help instructors extend the capabilities of LockDown Browser even further. Instructors can learn more by watching a short video or visiting its Frequently Asked Questions page; to make Respondus Monitor truly effective it is advised that faculty provide practice exams prior to using it with their students in order to familiarize them with it and ensure everything works smoothly.
What are the benefits of using Respondus Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a tool designed to reduce academic dishonesty by helping students maintain an uncluttered, focused environment during online exams. The browser prevents students from accessing other browser windows or applications on their computers during an exam, as well as blocking distracting sounds or images which could tempt or divert students during testing sessions. Furthermore, Respondus Lockdown Browser can accommodate students using screen reader accessibility programs like JAWS or Windows-Eyes during exams.
Utilizing browsers can assist instructors in monitoring student activity during an exam and may help identify those attempting to cheat, though the tool cannot prevent all types of cheating; students who rely on other resources (books, notes or nearby people) while taking an exam could still find ways around being caught by their instructor.
UNT Dallas has provided its students with resources related to Respondus Monitor and Lockdown Browser that are accessible through their office of distance learning & instruction technology website, some printable and others video-based.
Students utilizing Respondus Lockdown Browser in preparation of taking a Canvas quiz or test should install and follow its instructions before beginning an examination in it. They should also close all other programs or applications on their computers prior to taking an examination in the browser.
As well as protecting against distractions, the browser is configured so that an instructor can observe all student actions during an exam session. This enables him or her to detect suspicious behaviour such as clicking irrelevant questions or moving back and forth between pages or browsers during an examination.
This browser can be used both unproctored testing environments (meaning no one is watching) as well as proctored tests such as those taken in a classroom or testing center. When opening in proctored conditions, instructors assign unique passwords for their tests which they share with testing center staff; the student then needs to enter this password before accessing their test.
What are the disadvantages of using Respondus Lockdown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor provide an effective means of protecting online assessments in classrooms or proctored environments. The custom browser restricts students from printing, going to another URL or accessing other applications while taking an assessment – helping ensure no external tools are being used during tests to cheat or aid cheating attempts. In addition, instructors can utilize Monitor to record students as they take exams via webcam to detect academic dishonesty incidents more easily.
However, these tools do have their disadvantages for students. First of all, the software can invade privacy by recording movement and audio and forcing students to remain still during tests – something many who have outside lives and responsibilities find challenging. Furthermore, improper installation or an older version of computer could cause technical issues with these tools causing additional headaches for test takers.
As noted previously, these programs can be costly for students who do not have access to funding to purchase them. Furthermore, many students lack computers that support this software causing frustration and anxiety when taking tests. Students can attempt to bypass these issues by installing it on another device before taking an assessed assessment test or by taking practice quizzes prior to an assessment test attempt.
These tools may also lead to higher test costs for students and dissuade them from enrolling in higher-level courses such as STEM fields or foreign language studies. Furthermore, the programs may take up a lot of storage space on students devices while slowing down computers significantly.
Due to these reasons, we recommend that instructors only require Respondus LockDown Browser on exams where it will require students to install the software themselves. Furthermore, instructors should create a Practice Quiz so students can test out Respondus LockDown Browser prior to an actual quiz so they are assured it works for them; we advise them download and run this practice quiz well ahead of any examination deadlines so they have ample time to resolve any problems or obtain assistance if needed.