Respondus Program
Many courses at NC State require students to download Respondus lockdown programs prior to exams. Some students have voiced concerns that these programs could cause issues with their computers or internet connections.
Instructors can prevent these problems by giving students a practice test prior to taking their first real test, which will familiarize them with the software and allow them to address any potential issues before sitting for graded assessments.
Using the LockDown Browser
LockDown Browser restricts students’ ability to access desktop features, web search engines and applications that could facilitate cheating during online exams. Furthermore, this browser requires them to present identification via web camera while recording screen, mouse movement and keyboard activity for use during an examination session.
Respondus provides an accessible browser for both PCs and Macs that can be downloaded directly from its website, Respondus. Students should make sure it is fully installed before taking an exam that utilizes Respondus software; otherwise their instructor may be able to provide them with a link in their exam instructions that allows them to download it and take the exam.
Once a student clicks the Launch LockDown Browser link in their exam instructions, their regular browser will close and the specific test page they wish to take will open up in its place. They cannot leave or return from this exam page until submitting it for grading and the assessment has been graded by administrators.
The browser will block programs that would allow a student to record or take screenshots of their computer screen, including popular chat applications like Skype and Hangouts, remote control apps like Zoom, screen capture software that may currently be running, as well as any screen capture software installed on their machine currently and any zoom meetings they might be participating in.
Once a student enters an exam, they are free to navigate between pages within it – although returning to the quiz or exam page requires clicking Submit Answers first. They cannot also exit their browser or turn off web camera until their assessment has been submitted for grading.
Some students attempt to bypass Respondus LockDown browser, but most are either unsuccessful or caught. It is important to remember that this tool enhances distance learning and assists faculty with maintaining testing integrity; additionally it builds test-taker confidence and validates students through its verification system.
Using the Monitor
Respondus Monitor allows students to take online quizzes and exams without an instructor being present, using a custom browser which secures the testing environment to prevent access to any other URL, applications or outside software. Once in, students can answer assessment questions before submitting them for grading; furthermore Respondus Monitor also serves as online proctoring and provides an audit trail of each session taken using it.
Respondus technologies – LockDown Browser and Monitor – have been used for millions of exams this year at universities, schools, and other organizations globally. Respondus helps ensure academic integrity for students taking exams online – in classrooms or computer labs, on mobile devices or at home.
Respondus provides scalability, security, and reliability – key requirements of university campuses worldwide. Used by over 1,500 universities to proctor millions of exams every year over billion minutes of online proctoring annually backed up with five star support for both students and instructors as well as free trainings for instructors.
Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Brightspace Schoology Pearson MyLab and McGraw Hill ALEKS all integrate seamlessly with learning systems that students use for exam access; such as Canvas Blackboard Moodle Brightspace Schoology Pearson MyLab McGraw Hill ALEKS are just some examples. Students take their exams within these learning systems – no need for students to visit an external website or register at separate locations for exams to be proctored!
Instructors appreciate having access to students’ videos during online exams so they can verify student identities and flag any suspicious activities such as looking away from one screen or using cheat sheets. Respondus Dashboard in their Learning Management System allows instructors to review this footage.
Respondus Monitor, Respondus Monitor’s auto-proctoring component, will be made freely available for all IU courses that require students to use Respondus Lockdown Browser and webcam during an exam. Instructors should select “Require Respondus Monitor for this exam” under Proctoring Settings while students can follow these instructions to download, install and configure Respondus Monitor before taking their exams.
Taking the Quiz or Exam
Respondus Monitor software installation prompts students taking quizzes or exams requiring Respondus Monitor prior to beginning assessments, with installation taking about 30 seconds on average depending on computer configuration. Once installed, students can begin taking their assessments without interruption.
Students need both a webcam and microphone installed on their computers in order to use Respondus Monitor software, an automated proctoring service designed to assist instructors in monitoring videos of test-taking environments for any possible indications of cheating or any behavior which could indicate cheating. Students must adhere to all instructions regarding its usage – specifically staying in front of their webcam during all exam times – in order to successfully use Respondus Monitor software.
Once students login to Canvas, they will see a screen directing them to download Respondus LockDown Browser software before taking an exam. Clicking on “Install Now” will download and install this piece of software; once completed, students can navigate directly to their quiz and click “Take Quiz.”
While taking a quiz, students must ensure all other applications and browsers are closed, including their web browser. Once in, no printing, copying, accessing other URLs or exiting will be possible until submitted for grading by their instructor. In addition, students should comply with any additional instructions such as having paper nearby if notes need to be written down.
If the instructor decides to permit Chromebooks or iPads for use with Respondus, Advanced Settings will include options specific to these devices. Selecting Require Respondus Monitor allows students to use Respondus with these devices while still being required to remain in front of their webcam for the entire quiz. In addition, students can opt-in calculator toolbar to only activate during quizzes. When recording video is enabled by an instructor, an extra page appears providing students with instructions for beginning and stopping recording sessions.
Taking the Final Exam
Respondus provides students with various ways to take their final exam. Students can utilize either Respondus Lock Down Browser and webcam or Monitor and webcam – both options capture video and audio of students taking exams online, which are then sent directly to a human monitor who monitors exam sessions; should any instances of suspected cheating arise, that footage and audio will be flagged so it can be reviewed later; making it very difficult for online exam takers to cheat.
Respondus instructors who use its Monitor feature can monitor student activity both inside and outside the classroom to make sure students don’t use books, nearby people or resources that could facilitate cheating during exams as a form of distraction during exams.
Respondus provides an effective deterrent against cheating; if caught, students could face expulsion. Furthermore, Respondus keeps records for every exam session for up to five years, meaning if an instructor suspects cheating they could review prior testing sessions from earlier in the semester or previous courses and even look back decades after taking performance-enhancing drugs themselves.
Students looking to prepare themselves for online proctoring should consider taking a practice test in UM Learn before their online proctoring experience begins, which allows them to use both browser and monitor while being remotely monitored by proctor. Students should use the USF specific download link from their instructions in order to do this successfully.
ODS must provide students with enough space and time to take their exams, so it’s crucial that instructors have enough seats available. If students cannot locate a spot to take their exam, they should contact their professor about other options.
ODS Exams Facility offers reserved rooms and computers outside to aid students who require a reduced distraction environment to take their exams in peace. This is especially helpful during final week exams when there are numerous exams scheduled at once; those needing reduced distraction environments should register early; otherwise it may become impossible for us to accommodate them at that point.