Respondus Lockdown Monitor
Respondus Lockdown Monitor is software used by students to take online, non-proctored quizzes in Cougar Courses (Canvas). Students download the browser before taking an exam.
This software prevents students from printing, copying, going to another URL or accessing other applications during an assessment. Furthermore, a webcam records the evaluation and flags activities which could indicate cheating.
1. Security
Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor are invigilation tools designed to limit students’ access to other software on their computers while they take an online exam. These invigilation tools require students to use webcams for identity verification as well as periodic monitoring during an exam, limiting students only to taking the assessment they’ve been asked to take until it has been submitted for grading – without caching, history listing storage or screen capture/messaging/network monitoring apps running during that assessment.
Respondus at Indiana is used for remote, automatically proctored exams that use Blackboard tests in computer labs or classrooms as well as from home/unmonitored environments; students cannot use Monitor without Lockdown Browser installed first.
Respondus was designed to detect and flag activities that violate academic integrity, such as unwarranted collaboration between students or use of cheating tools. Furthermore, Respondus allows instructors to monitor video and audio from student computers during an exam and watch for suspicious activity they identify; instructors can review videos and flag suspicious events for further review and investigation by law enforcement officials.
Respondus for online exams will be made available as a download link in their Canvas course’s navigation menu, with students encouraged to install and configure Respondus before beginning an examination or quiz. A good idea would be for students taking on Respondus exams or quizzes is taking an initial practice quiz with Respondus before embarking on their real one; this way they can familiarise themselves with its capabilities while verifying that their computer hardware and Internet connection are functioning smoothly.
Students attending Monitor sessions should make every effort to remain within the frame of video recording and not take a look around at their surroundings. A notification will appear if a student moves out of this view. Instructors can flag these incidents for further review, as well as see any recording of exams made by students in class results. If anything seems off, instructors may request review by college deans or department chairs.
2. Confidentiality
Respondus Lockdown Monitor is a software solution that restricts desktop features, web searches, apps, and any other factors which might encourage academic dishonesty during an online exam. The monitor component flags any suspicious activity during exams which instructors can review after completion; instructors also have the authority to flag recordings or behavior that appear suspicious for further review by instructors.
While taking an online exam, students are limited in accessing other applications and websites (with the exception of Lied Library and OIT lab computers) using Respondus Browser and Monitor. Furthermore, any tools which might aid cheating such as dictionary or translator apps cannot be used during an examination – one reason ITS requires students to use these two products when taking online assessments in their webCampus courses.
Respondus Monitor assigns each student who takes an online exam a unique ID and password through their Institution’s Learning System, for use exclusively by their instructor who is administering this assessment; no third parties can access this data.
To ensure students have the best experience using the Respondus Monitor and Browser, ITS suggests offering a practice test a few days prior to taking an actual exam. This will give students a chance to download and test software as well as their home network, computer hardware, camera and microphone in a low stakes environment before the actual test begins. They’ll also get the chance to work directly with support staff from both ITS and Respondus regarding any issues or concerns prior to their real examination date.
The browser is compatible with popular screen reader accessibility programs like VoiceOver for Mac OS and JAWS for Windows; however, its security may be compromised when these screen readers are enabled; to protect against this risk ITS recommends that faculty and students test software on their personal computers before bringing it into class with a screen reader enabled.
Respondus Monitor is designed to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Faculty with any further inquiries about Respondus Monitor should reach out to their Dean’s Office for guidance.
3. Confidentiality
Respondus takes your privacy and security extremely seriously. Any data collected by Respondus belongs to your Institution and it is your responsibility to ensure they do not use Respondus Monitor to collect or transmit unauthorized personally identifiable data or personally identifiable information.
WebCampus software uses a secure browser installed on each student computer to block them from accessing other websites or applications during tests administered through it. In addition, audio and video are recorded during exams to help teachers detect any instances of cheating that might take place; instructors have access to this footage for up to one year within their course.
Students using the early exit feature during an assessment are prompted to provide their reason for leaving early; this data is then stored by Respondus. Instructors have access to this data and can view recorded video, though Respondus will never disclose it to third parties.
Respondus Monitor may ask you to agree to terms and conditions specific to an institution where a test is being administered; in these instances, Respondus retains ownership of any personal information you give them; it remains your responsibility, however, to ensure they adhere to legal obligations.
As the owner of your data, your institution retains the right to disclose any personal information or data about you (or others) in order to comply with legal or regulatory requirements or in order to safeguard and defend Respondus system and its users.
For maximum student privacy, it is wise to review your syllabus on the first day of class to address any technology-related concerns or inquiries, and include a note regarding Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor being required during WebCampus exams. This will ensure all students clearly understand what is expected from them during online exams.
4. Confidentiality
Respondus takes great care in protecting the confidentiality of any personal data it gathers or processes through its services, but reserves the right to disclose such data (such as recordings) if required by law or to comply with an official government request. Respondus will attempt to notify you in any such event.
Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor are invigilation tools used by instructors to create a secure testing environment during an online exam. After installation on a student computer, these invigilation tools require webcam verification of identity before restricting access to other programs or the internet during an exam period. Once finished, both applications can be removed with all its settings restored back to their previous state.
Respondus Browser and Monitor products integrate seamlessly into learning systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Pearson MyLab Schoology McGraw Hill ALEKS) where students take exams. Proctoring sessions need not be scheduled outside the learning system itself and instructors can review proctoring results immediately after each exam session is over. Instructors may flag any suspicious behavior to be reviewed by College Deans or appropriate faculty members for review.
Respondus Monitor also records audio and video of students taking online exams, with recordings made available to instructors at least a year post-course completion. Instructors should inform their students that this monitoring tool may be used during some or all of their online courses, as well as best practices to avoid cheating such as clearing browsing history or decreasing security level in browser.
If you have questions or are concerned about the privacy of your information or data, feel free to reach out via this Web form. The personal data that is shared will only be used to assist with your inquiry, and will never be sold, leased, or made available to affiliate or third party businesses.