Respondus And Lockdown Browser
Respondus Lockdown Browser (RLDB) and Monitor provide online proctoring that restricts student access to desktop features, web searches and applications that could facilitate academic dishonesty – providing an effective means of combatting any cheating during Canvas quiz assessments.
Before taking an exam requiring it, all students should use RLDB and take a practice quiz in order to identify any potential problems and make necessary corrections in advance of an important test. This will enable them to quickly recognize issues and correct them quickly before an important test day arrives.
Accessibility
Lockdown browsers are customized browsers designed to prevent students from accessing other applications on their computers during exams, printing text or visiting websites during an exam, in order to avoid cheating and ensure academic integrity during online assessments. They are one way instructors can safeguard academic integrity during online assessments; however, this tool may not be sufficient alone.
Though the Respondus Lockdown Browser provides an effective means of combatting exam fraud, it isn’t foolproof. Students still require supervision from a proctor when taking exams remotely – something which may prove more challenging in unmonitored environments like homes. With its monitor add-on providing yet another level of security by recording student exams as they take place.
This video is then uploaded to the respondus server and can be reviewed by an instructor who can determine whether there has been any violation of rules and policies, allowing them to stop the exam if an issue arises, and inform the student.
Instructors can utilize additional tools in Canvas courses to prevent students from accessing other applications or websites during an exam, such as Respondus Web Filter which blocks search engines while filtering any inappropriate results from searches conducted on student devices. This feature is found within the settings menu in Canvas and can be enabled or disabled as desired.
Web Content Filter is another useful tool to prevent students from accessing other applications during an assessment, serving as a Chrome extension to block certain sites and applications during tests. Available free on Chrome Store download.
Web Content Filter can also prevent some assistive technology programs, like screen readers such as Kurzweil, from being used during an exam. Students with disabilities should work closely with Rutgers Disability Services coordinator to find an approach that allows them to take exams while still making use of their preferred assistive technology program.
Installation
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a custom browser designed to restrict student’s ability to print, copy, visit other applications or close their test until their instructor has graded it. It operates similarly to traditional browsers except that there is no URL bar and few functions at the top of their screen – students must use this specialized browser in Canvas @ Yale when accessing tests.
Respondus browser cannot be installed on tablets or Chromebooks and must be downloaded and installed onto a full computer, making this an integral component of their syllabus or test instructions. Instructors should inform students about this requirement by including it within their syllabus or instructions along with providing them with a link to download Respondus software directly.
Not only will the browser prevent cheating, it provides instructors with invaluable information regarding the exam environment – such as whether students were leaving the room or switching computers during an examination session – which helps instructors assess if students may have violated university policies regarding proctoring or testing related issues.
While using a browser, all other programs must be closed on a student’s computer; these include other web browsers, YouTube, Skype and Google Desktop applications that automatically launch with Windows, as well as any that automatically start when Windows starts up. Students experiencing difficulty should contact UB Learns Support for assistance.
If your class employs an activity requiring Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor software, the Respondus Browser Installer for Windows/Mac (which also includes Monitor) provides students with a link for downloading these products. Please be aware that all installers provided with UB Learns have already been set up to work seamlessly, requiring students to simply follow the instructions to install their software – the installer will even automatically close down any other programs running when launched! Installation is quick and straightforward, yet students must follow all directions closely in order to use Respondus effectively for taking quizzes that require it. Incorrect installations will prevent students from doing this successfully and may lead to error messages or worse!
Security
Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor helps ensure academic integrity issues during proctored online exams by restricting students from opening other browser windows or applications during an exam, which has long been identified as one of the causes for poor test performance. Furthermore, this program prevents them from printing out or taking screenshots of their screens – an important aspect when taking long online exams on personal laptops or home computers that often create distractions that derail focus during lengthy examination sessions.
However, some students still use their computers for other things during an online test, especially if it involves multiple sittings or is timed. If their internet connection drops and they need to restart or close browser pages again, they may not realize they need to close assessment in Blackboard before doing so; at such moments it becomes especially crucial that this software be accessible; otherwise they risk incurring lost scores or an incomplete exam resultant of missed deadlines and incomplete assessments.
Instructors can ensure students are properly prepared for online tests by offering them practice exams with Monitor or LockDown Browser several days before their actual first test date. This gives students time to download the software, test their hardware, internet connection speed, and meet any other necessary criteria in a low stakes environment while familiarizing themselves with this software and reducing any anxiety about its first experience.
Student can gain more information on Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor by watching this video or visiting its Student Quick Start Guide. Alternatively, students may contact CAT+ (Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development) for support – they offer workshops and webinars related to Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor.
Students should ensure they are using the most up-to-date versions of software installed on their machine. Students can easily verify this by selecting “About” in the toolbar of their browser and seeing which versions have been installed. If their software hasn’t been updated recently, opening may take longer and crash periodically.
Training
Respondus Lockdown Browser courses that require Respondus Lockdown Browser software have access to resources provided by ITS that will assist their students with its use. Some are print-based while others are video-based.
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a software application designed to prevent students from accessing applications and websites on their computers while taking an online test. Furthermore, Respondus Lockdown Browser prevents students from printing or copying, resizing browser windows, refreshing pages or switching websites during exams – effectively blocking activities which might facilitate cheating in an assessment and helping ensure their answers are genuine work by the student themselves.
Students required to use Respondus Lockdown Browser must install it prior to taking an exam that requires it, in order to avoid any potential issues arising during testing. In addition, ITS provides various training webinars focusing on Respondus and its features for faculty and students.
Respondus Lockdown Browser may not be enough for some instructors; to supplement its functionality they may opt to use Respondus Monitor software as well. This add-on uses webcam technology and other data sources to detect suspicious activity during exams – flagging students if it detects that they have left the room or switched cameras, among other indicators that indicate suspicious behaviour – which the instructor can then review later and hopefully reduce cheating during online examinations.
These training webinars from ITS aim to show faculty and students about Respondus, its integration with Canvas, other virtual proctoring software applications such as ProctorU, as well as its capabilities. Faculty may register to attend live Respondus demonstration webinars for more details about its capabilities.
Once a test has been created in Canvas with Respondus Monitor or LockDown Browser enabled, it will appear in Blackboard student lists of tests. Clicking “Require Respondus Monitor and/or LockDown Browser” link takes them directly to Lessons>Tests>Edit Test Options menu where a password can be added securely for future grading by instructors. This step helps keep students from taking tests before instructor approval for grading has occurred.