Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam
Respondus Monitor and Lockdown Browser have become popular choices with instructors as an anti-cheat measure during exams, to make sure students only use their computer during assessments. Respondus monitor ensures students use only their PC to complete assessments, eliminating cheating incidents during assessments.
Select “Require Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam for this Exam”. Once selected, a pop-up screen will provide options, including password settings.
How to Use
Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam is an application required of students in Blackboard for certain tests and quizzes, to prevent printing, copying and accessing other applications or websites during an exam; its purpose being to prevent cheating during these examinations. Your instructor will inform you if one requires it as part of an examination process.
Your instructor will provide the link necessary for downloading and installing the application, after which it should appear as a new tab in Windows Explorer. When you have it installed, all other applications on your computer should be closed before opening it again for use with this exam application. In addition, an option exists within Help Center in this application to run pre-exam webcam checks to make sure both camera and microphone are functioning as they should – you will see this appear as an option under ‘Prepare Tests’ in this program.
Once in an exam, your instructor will record both video and audio to verify that it is you taking the test. This feature can be toggled off by clicking a ‘Take the Quiz’ button; alternatively you may opt out if recording of your face does not interest you. Once complete, your test can be printed and submitted; upon leaving you can exit browser by selecting “Return to Normal Browser Setup.”
Additionally to capturing both video and audio, this application also keeps tabs on keyboard keys and mouse movements, enabling your instructor to monitor your activity and detect any attempts at cheating.
If you are on a Mac, adjusting camera utilities or anti-virus software settings might be required in order for Respondus to work properly. If you require assistance from your instructor regarding this matter.
If you are using a MacBook or an iPad, to enable students to use iPad LockDown Browser and then select ‘Enable Calculator in Toolbar’ during exams. This will let them use both standard and scientific calculators during your examinations. In addition, allow access to specific external web domains can allow students to open approved e-books or websites by your instructor.
Setup
Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam (commonly referred to as Monitor) is an extension of Lockdown Browser designed to reduce cheating during online, non-proctored exams. Integrated seamlessly with Canvas, Respondus Monitor makes non-proctored testing environments accessible. When an instructor assigns an exam requiring Respondus Monitor software installation prior to taking their quiz.
Once they’ve installed their browser, students will be instructed to click a link that launches their exam. When they do this, their exam will automatically commence; at which time they won’t be able to print, copy or access other programs or websites while taking it. If they experience any difficulty using this software during their exam they can click on Help Center button for troubleshooting tips.
While it is possible to cheat using this tool, its intelligent design enables instructors to detect suspicious behavior such as leaving the room or someone entering from outside of video frame – something which should prompt instructors to set their tests with this in mind so they can flag any student exhibiting suspicious behaviour immediately.
Respondus Monitor instructors may also select to include a Startup Sequence before the Monitor session starts, which includes various events like webcam checks, the ability to show identification documents or recording video footage of their testing environment. Instructors have full control of what text appears on each event by previewing before selecting.
Instructors can further extend this feature for students taking exams at home or on devices not owned by their university. When this option is enabled, the student will no longer have access to any programs or websites while taking the exam; they will still have access to Canvas course and assignments as usual. Should any issues arise while taking their exam, students can utilize the “Help Center” button in the browser or visit an online test support page for troubleshooting advice.
Troubleshooting
Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam is an online proctoring tool designed to assist instructors in authenticating students and preventing cheating during exams. It works by recording video footage of each student taking an exam and then comparing this footage against snapshots taken of that individual taking part. Respondus also provides instructors with data and video recordings they can review after every exam session has concluded.
This browser is preloaded onto campus computers, but students may download it to use on their personal laptops if desired (note that if using one of your own machines you must possess administrative privileges). For assistance please visit the Technology Service Desk.
Students utilizing Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam should focus their efforts on making sure both camera and microphone are functioning optimally. If any issues arise, troubleshooting steps can be found within the Help Center section (clicking on the icon at the top of Blackboard). In particular, if “spinning wheel” errors and blank frames where webcam should appear appear this could indicate another program or security/privacy settings are preventing Respondus LockDown Browser from accessing and activating your camera.
If you continue having difficulty, close out any programs running in the background such as Spotify, a VPN service, Zoom and Teams etc. These apps could prevent or interfere with LockDown Browser being able to activate your webcam, leading to it failing when running its pre-exam webcam check.
Before taking your official exam with Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam, it is highly advised that you conduct a practice quiz or exam using it first. This will give you an opportunity to work out any bugs with the software, computer hardware or internet connectivity in a low stakes environment and reduce anxiety about using Respondus for such an important assessment. You will find an exam practice link within Blackboard courses containing instructions for downloading, installing and taking a practice exam quiz.
Conclusions
Respondus Monitor is a powerful proctoring tool that extends LockDown Browser with webcam technology to combat cheating during online exams. It works seamlessly with Canvas and other learning systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, Brightspace Pearson MyLab Schoology McGraw Hill ALEKS; when students access exams through their respective learning system they are guided through an exclusive startup sequence which includes webcam testing as well as any requirements set by instructors (such as showing identification or filming their exam environment).
Respondus Monitor prevents students from accessing the internet, taking screenshots, or opening any other applications while taking exams using Respondus Monitor. Furthermore, Respondus records audio and video to verify identity during examinations – providing another effective deterrent against cheating. Respondus does not install any additional software onto students’ computers – instead it works by modifing existing browsers with custom user interfaces to facilitate test taking sessions.
The browser’s built-in webcam detects any suspicious screen activities or movements of head, hands or body parts; flagging tests if students leave their testing environment or their eyes wander off of its field of view; in addition to this software can identify when their MAC address changes; which could indicate they’re taking exams with multiple devices at the same time.
Instructors should take measures to prevent cheating by ensuring their students have access to appropriate hardware and software needed for use of Respondus Monitor systems. It may also be beneficial for them to complete an ungraded practice quiz using Respondus Monitor prior to taking an official graded exam, so as to identify and resolve any potential software-related issues prior to undergoing high-stakes assessments.
Although cheating with Respondus Lockdown Browser With Webcam may be possible, it is difficult and should be approached with caution. There may be some ways around its restrictions, including creating a second MAC address on a computer and screen recording software; but any attempts at cheating will likely be detected by the system and disqualify you from competition.