Respondus 4.0
Respondus 4.0 is an interactive software solution that enables instructors to easily create exams and publish them directly to their Canvas courses, or make existing tests Section 508 compliant.
Faculty may access Respondus 4.0 via the ITS Software Download site with their BlazerID or HawkID and password; the software is only compatible with Windows systems.
LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser feature, when combined with Monitor add-on for fully automated proctoring during exams, enables students to take online quizzes and tests at their own computer without the risk of cheating. By blocking print, copy, go to another URL or use any applications during an examination, instructors can assess whether students are following exam guidelines properly.
Respondus LockDown Browser works across Windows, Mac and iOS operating systems. Students must agree to its Terms of Service before installing and activating LockDown Browser before taking an exam with either browser or Monitor add-on enabled. Instructors may offer practice or low-stakes quizzes that require LockDown Browser so students have time to practice before having it activated for an actual high stakes exam.
Not only does the browser block applications, it also disables printing and keystroke combinations, as well as many features that could compromise a secure testing environment like Start button (Windows), menu bars and system tray – including right-click functions, screen grabs and messaging and screen-sharing applications.
The browser can also be used in tandem with eBooks purchased through UM’s campusebookstore site (Bibliu) to create open book exams, more similar to traditional paper tests in terms of user interaction with text in ways less distracting than reading onscreen, which may improve test-taking outcomes for students who find reading onscreen difficult.
Respondus 4.0 products save instructors time in five different ways when creating exams or quizzes for their courses. Its web-based tools were previously faster; additionally, Respondus is more responsive and can work offline so students don’t need a steady Internet connection – something which makes a big difference on campuses without reliable or affordable Internet connectivity. Respondus also gives instructors an efficient way of creating exams locally that can later be transferred between learning systems easily when necessary.
Monitor
Respondus Monitor is an add-on for LockDown Browser that prevents cheating during online assessments that don’t need proctored proctoring. Utilizing webcam and video technology, Respondus monitor records student test-taking sessions, flag suspicious behavior and alert instructors of possible cheating attempts. Instructors can review these videos to assess students who might need proctored. Respondus works together with LockDown Browser software installed on each student computer to make sure no additional applications or websites can be accessed during exams.
UAB faculty and staff may take advantage of a complimentary license for Respondus 4.0 tool (which includes Equation Editor) through ServiceNow Catalog’s Institution Content > Software section by searching “Respondus.” In order to use this tool, Windows operating system users must close all other programs before trying to install Respondus software; also update your Flash player if necessary for smooth installation process. Once complete, Respondus software will appear under Tools page in Blackboard Learn base navigation menu.
Respondus 4.0 allows instructors to easily create exams in Blackboard without the need to retype questions and answers; its software facilitates more precise editing as well as adding media files like images, audio, or equations; it even supports ADA compliance for those requiring it.
Though Respondus 4.0 provides many capabilities, all assessments created using it comply with Section 508 standards; instructors can easily add ALT text for questions and images as necessary.
Respondus 4.0 can save instructors time in five ways. From working offline, saving results into files, and using features that make grading faster and simpler to using features that accelerate grading faster and easier – Respondus can free up time for instructors while giving more classroom time for students to complete assignments and acquire new skills.
Instructor Live Proctoring
Respondus 4.0 now features Instructor Live Proctoring as one of its tools, combining LockDown Browser and Monitor so instructors can remotely observe students during online exams through Blackboard. Respondus recommends this option for small classes (up to 25 students), requiring them to use Zoom or Microsoft Teams video conferencing apps when taking exams with an instructor present.
To use the feature, instructors create a Respondus-compatible exam using Canvas Quiz tool and set its Settings accordingly. Check off “Require Respondus LockDown Browser,” and enable Instructor Live Proctoring, before setting a start code to prevent students from beginning exams before the live session begins. Publish details regarding when, where and how students may take their exam in your course announcements as well as elsewhere where testing information may be made available.
Instructors in live sessions can view student webcams via Zoom but cannot monitor student activity on Blackboard itself. Students can click a button within Zoom window to submit photos from exams, which instructors can later review in class results section of LockDown Browser Dashboard tool.
Students can utilize a pre-exam webcam check in the LockDown Browser Dashboard that allows them to upload high-resolution images of their computer and monitor prior to taking an exam, enabling instructors to ensure students aren’t cheating by opening other applications or websites on their computers.
Although the software makes assessment creation simpler, instructors must still ensure their content complies with Section 508 standards – for example by adding alt tags to images and equations – when creating tests for students. Furthermore, it would be prudent for them to test on different computers than those they will be using during final exams.
UB Learns has provided a short how-to video on Respondus 4.0 tools. Faculty may request access from an Educational Technologist by submitting a Faculty Mojo Ticket or scheduling an instructional designer consultation appointment.
Quizzes
Respondus 4.0’s Quizzes feature allows instructors to create quizzes and exams that can be shared online via Canvas or printed for physical distribution. It is available to UBC faculty, staff and students for use under an unlimited campus-wide license; unlike LockDown Browser which runs directly within Canvas to take quizzes and exams directly.
Respondus provides an easy way for creating quizzes. Simply select the File tab, and choose New Project from the drop-down menu, give your project a name, and save. Upon saving, open it again and click Import Project; this will create a QTI file which can then be imported by Respondus; when opening Respondus it will prompt for an assessment name; either matching that of an assessment tag in an XML file, or you can give yourself one! Respondus then prompts for this unique identifier before asking you for details of its import; once this step completes it will create an import project which can then be imported by Respondus so as to avoid duplicated assessments being created – giving users complete freedom in creating their assessments!
Once an assessment has been imported into Respondus, you can modify settings and question groups within it to suit the project. Any such modifications will take effect when published to a Canvas course; for exams that will be pushed out directly onto Canvas you have the option of copying over existing question groups and Respondus settings from existing courses as well.
Respondus provides instructors with the flexibility of working offline; publishing assessments takes less than one minute using Folio’s Publish button. If prompted for login credentials, just click OK and use your CWL. When asked what assessment type to select (e.g. Create or Replace), just choose from either dropdown list.
Respondus 4.0 offers instructors time savings. Most work can be completed offline, and the client-based application runs much faster than web-based ones. Respondus technology is used worldwide in classrooms to protect academic integrity while helping instructors quickly prepare assessments for assessments quickly. Respondus software administers over two million tests annually!