LockDown Browser Free Download For Mac
LockDown Browser is a custom browser designed to secure exam environments within specific learning systems, preventing students from going off-script by visiting other URLs, switching applications or taking screenshots or copying questions.
LockDown Browser can also be combined with Respondus Monitor to record proctored online assessments. Students should take a practice quiz using LockDown Browser/Monitor before taking an official graded exam.
Features
Lockdown Browser helps students take exams or quizzes online with Canvas by restricting access to other web sites and applications that could enable cheating during exams. Faculty can require students to use Respondus Monitor alongside Lockdown Browser during proctored exams – it syncs up with student webcams during proctored assessments to record actions during assessments while also creating an audit trail of all student activity – for more information, watch Respondus Monitor Overview Video.
Respondus Lockdown Browser’s free two-month trial is available to institutions using Blackboard Learn, Brightspace Canvas Schoology Moodle or Sakai platforms. Faculty, students administrators and staff can take part in this trial period. After its conclusion you may purchase a permanent license of Respondus Lockdown Browser for just $999 annually per academic year or request a quote directly from Respondus.
Once you’ve purchased the software, it can be installed and enabled on campus computers as part of your courses. Students may download Lockdown Browser onto their personal computers and initialize it before exams by following these instructions. During online proctored examinations using Respondus Monitor to proctor the test, these components will prevent students from printing, copying or visiting another URL during proctored exams – it is therefore highly advised that students take online exams in a quiet space with no distractions present.
Some older operating systems do not fully support the functionality of Lockdown Browser. If you attempt to use it on such an older system, you may experience issues with your internet connection or computer crashing during an exam. In such a situation, if this occurs it is recommended that a hard shutdown be conducted (unplugging and switching off all power supplies including batteries on laptop machines) prior to attempting to relaunch a test.
Downloading
If your instructor uses Respondus LockDown Browser to create online exams or quizzes, you will be required to download and install it prior to taking an exam or quiz. You can find access links for this software through Canvas quizzes or Blackboard Learn institution pages depending on campus – the installation process should only need to be performed once per device; should any problems arise there is also a short video and detailed instructions available on the download page.
Lockdown Browser requires an Internet connection with at least 512 Kbps speed to function optimally, though wireless networks may cause stability issues compared with wired Ethernet connections. Before taking an exam in Lockdown Browser it is also advisable to close any programs using Java, file sharing agents or instant messengers which might interfere with its functionality and also close any pop-up windows appearing for security purposes on your screen.
Once downloaded, run the software from either your desktop or Applications folder (Mac) to test its operation. If a pop-up window suggests closing programs before continuing, use “Kill these applications” button to have software do this automatically. It will also test your internet connection to ensure it’s in good shape before performing compatibility testing and finally launching itself if all checks out as expected.
If the software doesn’t seem to be functioning, reinstall it by searching for “Respondus LockDown Browser” in the Add or Remove Programs section of your computer and following its prompts for reinstallation. If you encounter difficulty, contact your instructor for additional help, or take advantage of a two month free trial version from its developer’s website which should work with most online learning management systems such as Blackboard Learn, Brightspace, Moodle Schoology Sakai etc.
Installation
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a secure browser designed for administering online exams in Canvas, and locks down its testing environment to prevent students from printing, accessing other websites or applications during an exam, taking screenshots or copying questions.
Once an assessment is launched in the browser, students cannot leave it until it has been submitted for grading – this prevents cheating by making no other application accessible during an exam. Available for both Windows and Mac computers, students to install LockDown Browser must go to Blackboard Student Support tab and click LockDown Browser download link, with installation file downloaded into their Downloads folder by default and double-clicked upon to open and follow installation instructions to complete installation process.
LockDown Browser requires students to accept its license agreement before being taken directly to an examination screen. Should they accidentally close or exit, their progress will still be saved and ready when they return; in case their browser suddenly stops responding or blank pages appear on screen, please e-mail their instructor as soon as possible for help.
As part of their exam in the LockDown Browser, students should utilize an Ethernet (wired) connection. This will ensure a stable and uninterrupted connection to Canvas server and will reduce connection interruptions during their test. Furthermore, it is crucial that all other programs such as iTunes, Bittorrent or instant messaging applications be closed prior to beginning an examination session as they could cause the browser to stop responding or lock up during an exam session.
If an unexpected Internet outage should occur, browsers are designed to relaunch an exam as soon as its connection has been restored. Unfortunately, this may result in lost time; therefore it should be avoided whenever possible.
Security
Respondus Lockdown Browser’s goal is to preserve academic integrity during an online assessment, by offering multiple security measures. These include a custom browser which locks down the testing environment within a learning management system – this prevents students from printing, copying or accessing other websites/apps during testing; furthermore they cannot exit until their exam has been graded – all features essential for remote assessments.
The software can be used on both desktop and laptop computers; however, it does not support Chromebooks. Users may install a free plugin for their web browser that will allow them to take tests directly in it. Furthermore, instructors can configure it so a single password will login them directly into their student accounts while monitoring student activity during exams.
Students wishing to take an exam that requires Respondus LockDown Browser should first review their course calendar to identify which exams require it, then click on each quiz link that requires it. When downloading and launching, Respondus LockDown Browser will run a compatibility check before initiating their examination; any issues it encounters will display as an error message.
To download Respondus LockDown Browser, follow these links: These links are specific to each university and should only be used by students and faculty from that institution. A quick start guide for students is also available through Canvas Help Desk; in addition, iPad versions of Respondus LockDown Software can be purchased on iTunes and deployed using Apple Configurator.
If you no longer wish to use Respondus, uninstalling it via the Add/Remove programs icon in Control Panel should do the trick. Alternatively, search your list of installed programs for Respondus before searching the uninstall list again. It is recommended that once uninstalled that your browser and application histories be cleared to avoid accidentally installing Respondus again in the future.