Lockdown Browser Respondus Monitor
Lockdown Browser is a custom browser students install on their computers to take Monitor tests. When taking tests requires them to print or use keyboard shortcuts or screen shots during an exam, as well as access other applications on the machine or close their test window until their test has been submitted successfully.
Instructors may utilize a practice quiz to familiarize students with Monitor before an exam that requires it. A student video is also available.
Proctored Exams
Lockdown Browser with Monitor enables faculty to offer proctored exams online that are recorded to detect and deter cheating. The software combines LockDown Browser’s custom browser/webcam feature, video analytics software that monitors student testing behaviors to detect potential exam violations as well as real time exam recording sessions with instructors viewing flagged footage of student videos by clicking thumbnail recordings – with no cost attached for our faculty at Indiana University!
Before assigning any graded exam in Canvas, instructors have the option of mandating that students use Monitor and LockDown Browser by marking a checkbox on the right-hand side of the quiz page. Should this option be selected, your students won’t be able to exit or close their browser until their test has been submitted for grading.
Once the Monitor and LockDown Browser feature has been activated for a quiz, students will be required to download and install software before beginning their quiz. After installing it, students are locked into their quiz experience until it has been submitted for grading – they cannot print, copy or access other websites or applications until this quiz has been graded.
Students can also utilize their webcams during exams to verify their identity by selecting “Show ID.” This option prompts students to reveal themselves before the camera and allows Respondus to compare this image against one previously uploaded. Or they can choose “Student Photo” before starting an exam for photo taking purposes.
Monitor can not only offer additional verification during exams, but can also detect numerous issues during them that could indicate violations of policy such as students looking away excessively or leaving their computer. When an instructor views video recording of one of their students’ tests, they can view a list of possible violations detected by Monitor.
Education of your students on how to use proctoring tools will ease anxiety around this extra step and encourage them to utilize it fully. A non-graded practice exam using Respondus monitor may also be beneficial in getting them comfortable with its application and verifying their equipment works as expected.
Pre-Exam Checks
Respondus Monitor adds another layer to LockDown Browser that helps prevent student cheating during online, non-proctored quizzes. Respondus monitor records webcam sessions during assessment sessions and detects behaviors which indicate possible cheating; instructors can review video footage and data post exam completion through Canvas.
Students taking exams with the Monitor option will be taken through a short series of screens prior to beginning the quiz, such as webcam checks or any additional requirements set forth by their instructors (such as showing identification or recording a short video of their examination environment).
Once all the pre-exam checks are complete, a student will be taken directly to their quiz in Canvas. While taking the exam, students are unable to print, copy, use other applications/websites/devices such as their cell phone. Instructors can set a minimum score or limit attempts while students can enable Show Your Work so they can upload any worksheets/high-resolution images created during preparation of an examination exam.
If a student experiences any technical issues when taking an online quiz with Respondus’ Monitor option, they can request assistance through Respondus’ live chat feature accessed via LockDown Browser’s Help Center button. Respondus will run tests to see whether or not their computer or internet has caused their issue and provide troubleshooting tips accordingly.
Before taking an official graded exam, students are strongly advised to use the Monitor option to take an ungraded practice quiz in order to familiarize themselves with the software. Should they encounter technical problems while taking such a quiz, tools in the Help Center (located on the left-side screen of Monitor) may help address them; should their issue still persists they may reach out directly to our student support team via our chat window in Monitor.
Post-Exam Reports
Respondus Monitor, an automated proctoring tool using webcam technology to detect suspicious activity during exams such as resizing browser windows or exiting an online assessment, accessing other applications or websites, or copying/printing assessments will generate a test report and notify instructors if a student attempts to take an identical exam multiple times.
This feature can be useful for instructors who do not wish to spend the time administering online assessments themselves or who wish to minimize any possibility of cheating. Instructors should combine Respondus Monitor with other assessment tools like quizzes and tests for maximum results in online exams taken by their students. Respondus Monitor can be enabled for their exams by selecting “Enable Monitor” in the eLC Settings menu. Instructors will then be able to select a quiz they would like to proctor, with students using the Monitor webcam (if required by quiz) for viewing test results and feedback; otherwise they can view them through regular browser access.
Add an online assessment to a class calendar and Respondus Monitor will automatically be enabled with an assigned proctor for that exam. Faculty can also choose to enable Monitor individually by clicking the green checkmark at the left of its name in Canvas. Monitor displays a startup sequence for students to follow and allows instructors to set their desired requirements, such as providing identification or recording their environment video footage. After each student completes an exam, their instructor can review video recordings and data of their proctoring session in Respondus Monitor to assess whether there has been any attempt at bypassing test rules. For more information about using Respondus Monitor tools visit our Using the Automated Proctoring Tool page.
Troubleshooting
Students taking exams may encounter issues with their computer hardware, internet connection or Respondus browser that need to be resolved quickly with help from both IU and Respondus support teams. While many issues can be easily remedied through our support teams at both universities, a single issue could prevent students from taking an exam altogether and result in either low scores or unsatisfactory grades. To minimize these issues it is imperative that instructors prepare students well in advance by giving a practice test several days before an actual exam starts – this allows students to test out software before working closely with either IU or Respondus support if any issues arise and working with support when necessary.
Additionally, it’s essential that Respondus software is installed properly and that all other programs are closed before starting it up. Certain media managers, file sharing agents and instant messaging applications like iTunes can interfere with Respondus software installation; some versions of Internet Explorer may cause trouble as well. Students taking exams should use Internet Explorer 11 or later and ensure the latest version of IE is installed for optimal results.
Students should make sure their browser is operating as expected by checking that it’s unpinned from the task bar or notification area and all other programs have been closed. This step is particularly crucial if taking an exam on a personal device – otherwise they risk not being able to save answers, move forward with further questions, or submit their exam.
Another possibility is that Respondus servers could be being blocked by anti-virus or firewall software; to remedy this situation, temporarily loosen any anti-virus or firewall restrictions before taking the exam again or test on a different computer/network. To do this, temporarily relax any anti-virus/firewall restrictions to take the exam successfully.
If an error arises during an exam, a button labeled “Fix It” will appear on the dashboard and reset browser settings to their initial values in order to address any problems identified. Instructors can access this dashboard through D2L Brightspace courses in order to initialize these settings as well.