Respondus Secure Browser
Respondus Lockdown Browser’s student download is an intrusive program which invades student privacy while using artificial intelligence to make guesses about cheating and detect any violations via video recording. It even claims it can detect dishonest students by monitoring video footage.
Students must download this software and complete a practice quiz prior to taking exams that require it. To get started, follow this link to Yale University’s specific Respondus LockDown Browser installation file.
Accessibility
Some Canvas quizzes and tests require students to use Respondus Lockdown Browser on the computer they will be using for taking an assessment, to prevent printing, copying or accessing other sites or applications during testing. It is vital for them to test this software prior to beginning their assessment.
LockDown Browser is installed as a separate program and does not modify existing programs or browsers on a student’s computer. Upon launch, it presents a customized Internet Explorer or Safari interface without changing any security features and service packs installed in current versions of these browsers. VoiceOver can also access it easily for Macintosh computers; however some advanced functions (like zooming and text-to-speech) may not function with it.
Once a student launches the browser from their exam instructions link, they can use it to complete a web-based assessment. Since other programs will not be allowed to launch during this assessment period, it’s essential that they install and test their browser in advance of using it during an examination session.
Students with disabilities should carefully consider if this software meets their needs, consulting the Coordinator listed in their Letter of Accommodation to discuss any concerns or extra accommodations that may be necessary. Instructors should keep in mind that LockDown Browser’s security level decreases when used with assistive technology such as screen readers; using it could limit students’ accessibility options in other ways and it does not support magnification features in Screen Readers – something all students who require this accommodation should keep in mind when making their decision.
Quit Passwords
Respondus LockDown Browser ensures the integrity of an online assessment by restricting student access through regular web browsers and preventing printing, copying, browsing to another URL or accessing any programs during an exam. In addition to protecting its integrity, Respondus Monitor enables instructors to monitor student behavior through camera-based proctoring software known as Respondus Monitor(tm).
Requiring Respondus LockDown Browser for this Exam enables instructors to force students to utilize this program during assessments. Instructors may also enable an optional Quit Password which will allow students to exit if extenuating circumstances arise (for instance if their device stops responding), without making it publicly visible; rather it is entered manually by instructors during exams.
Once an instructor has set their Respondus settings, they can click Save and Close. From their Course Materials page they can enable submissions by either editing from the gear icon next to each item name in Materials page view or through Actions on Assessment or Test/Quiz views.
Instructors should ensure their students have access to the latest version of Respondus by opening the program, selecting “About” in the toolbar and clicking on “Check for Update.” For Windows and Mac computers this will produce an automatically generated list of available updates; while Chromebook users should contact their local IT support team for help updating their browsers.
Instructors with limited student devices may want to consider using the “Allow another application to use microphone during this assessment” feature, enabling students to record audio responses. Please remember this privilege may be removed at any time if it is being misused improperly by any one student or group of students.
Link Checking
Respondus LockDown Browser’s primary functionality is to block students from printing, copying, or visiting URLs during tests; however, its additional capabilities make this software even more versatile. Instructors can include links to external websites within their quiz without worry that these would break out of its locked testing environment and allow their students access supplemental data, images, videos or resources without leaving the quiz itself.
Instructors can utilize a link checker to ensure all their students are using the latest version of Respondus Browser, meaning if an instructor uses this checker on a quiz and one student has an older version installed, that student will get an error message when trying to access the quiz; and this error will also be recorded in their history of responses.
Students can download Respondus browser free and use it to take any Canvas Quiz that requires it, though note that it only works on PCs running Windows or macOS operating systems. Students should test out Respondus software prior to taking graded assessments to ensure it works as expected on their computers and should try it on a practice quiz first in order to test out its operation on their device(s). Be mindful that Respondus requires access to microphone and webcam data in order to function effectively while Artificial Intelligence makes decisions as to whether a student is cheating or not.
UB Learns has developed installers for both Windows and macOS that are preconfigured to work with Respondus, making installation faster. Once downloaded, these installers should run in Chrome to install Respondus browser plugin and Respondus Monitor. Students should keep in mind that antivirus software may prevent completion of final environment check properly.
If you are taking a course that requires Respondus LockDown Browser, your instructor should have informed you about its necessity. If this was not done so, contact them and inquire further about it.
Customization
Respondus Lockdown Browser’s primary function is well known: to restrict students’ testing environments in Blackboard so that they cannot print, copy, visit another URL or gain access to any unauthorized programs during assessments. But the Respondus Lockdown Browser offers several lesser-known capabilities that make it an indispensable proctoring tool as well.
No Scheduling or Registration Needed – Students and instructors don’t have to prearrange a proctoring session; it will automatically launch from any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge) when required by exam settings. Plus there’s no software downloads or reinstallation required!
Respondus Monitor Software Automatically Detects Cheating – Respondus Monitor software ensures that students taking online tests on their own computer by verifying device, webcam and microphone activity. If it detects any suspicious activity it flags the event for review by instructors later.
Respondus Monitor Can Block Unauthorized Programs – Respondus monitor can block hundreds of applications and features on a student’s machine that could compromise secure testing environments, such as start menu, system tray, task bar, right click menus, function keys and screen capture software. Furthermore, teachers may request specific blocks be blocked for accessibility reasons.
Easy to Use – After installation, students are able to launch the program either from their browser or by searching for and installing the.exe file on their computer. Once in place, it runs quietly in the background until needed for taking tests that require browser usage.
Faculty looking to use Respondus Lockdown Browser assessments should select this option in Blackboard’s Settings dropdown menu on each quiz page and create assessments that require it. Once selected, their assessment will show as “Requires Respondus Lockdown Browser.” We advise instructors allowing their students to take an initial low-stakes quiz requiring Respondus early in their semester so they become acquainted with this process before taking higher stakes exams requiring this technology.