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Respondus Monitor FAQ

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Respondus Monitor is a tool that will allow for proctored, or supervised, exams that students will take online. Respondus Monitor can help ensure exam integrity for students taking their tests online outside of a testing center. Respondus Monitor is an option that is used in conjunction with Respondus LockDown Browser.

You can view more information on how Respondus Monitor works by
viewing this helpful video.

How is Respondus Monitor used by faculty?

Faculty can utilize Respondus Monitor to help protect the integrity of online exams delivered via Brightspace. Respondus Monitor is already installed within Brightspace as part of the Respondus LockDown Browser tool.

The benefits of using Respondus Monitor include:

  • Video and audio recording of students while they take their exams
  • Students are able to take their exams wherever they are
  • Students can take their exams when they are ready, at any time during test availability period

Does Respondus Monitor require the use of any additional software?

For students to use Respondus Monitor, they must have Respondus LockDown Browser installed on their computers. Instructions on how to install and use the LockDown Browser, in addition to installation files for Windows and Macintosh computer are located on our Respondus LockDown Browser information page.

Will users need to obtain any additional hardware?

Students taking exams using Respondus Monitor must have a microphone and webcam installed. On some computers, webcams and microphones may be built into the system already; in other cases students may have to purchase the devices. It is the student's responsibility to locate and purchase webcams and microphones that will be compatible with their computer.

Students who do not have the appropriate hardware can use one of the computers in St. Joe's Mac Lab (room 103) or the 3M Resource and Mentoring Center (Library 1st floor).

What are the Respondus Monitor system requirements?

Respondus Monitor can be used on PCs and Macs. The system requirements can be found at: respondus.com.

Additionally, viruses on the computer can affect Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor and webcam behavior. Always use antivirus software to keep your computer safe.

How do I enable Respondus Monitor in my course?

Respondus Monitor is installed on our Brightspace system; however, you may need to enable it in your course. For information on enabling Respondus Monitor and setting up exams/quizzes to use Respondus Monitor, please see the Instructor Quick Start Guide.

How will students use Respondus Monitor to take their exams?

Students should review the Student Quick Start Guide for Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor before taking an exam to ensure their webcam and microphone are working properly, and they have appropriate software (Adobe Flash Player) installed. Instructors may wish to consider including a link to the Student Quick Start Guide in Brightspace so students will know what they need to do to prepare to take an exam that uses Respondus Monitor.

Students should also review the general online test taking guide before taking their first online exam.

Additionally, instructors should provide students with unlimited attempts to take a practice quiz. The practice quiz should be available for the entire semester. The practice quiz should have enough questions in it so that students can get an idea of what to expect when they take a test that requires Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor. Every student, even those who will be using a computer in Xavier's computer lab, should be required to take the practice quiz before their first test that requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor.

Should students take a practice test?

Yes, students should be required to take a practice test. Instructors should provide students with unlimited attempts to take a practice test. The practice test should be available for the entire semester. The practice test should have enough questions in it so that students can get an idea of what to expect when they take a test that requires Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor.

Every student, even those who will be using a computer in Xavier's computer lab, should be required to take the practice quiz before their first test that requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor.

Can I use my computer on a wireless network to take an exam with Respondus Monitor?

We strongly recommend using an Ethernet (wired) Internet connection while taking your exam in LockDown Browser. If you use a wireless, USB modem, laptop connect card, or mobile hotspot connection during an exam, you are more likely to run into problems due to dropped/interrupted connections to the Brightspace server. This is because the Brightspace server is more bandwidth intensive (especially during exams) than normal Internet surfing.

If you lose your Internet connection during the exam, it can lock up the browser and not allow you to save answers, move on to other questions, submit or exit the exam. Ethernet connections are the most stable connection to the Brightspace server. If you have a router, plugging directly into it when taking exams will reduce the chances of connection interruptions.

Can an iPad be used with Respondus Monitor/LockDown Browser?

The iPad Edition of "LockDown Browser" (available from iTunes) enables a student to use an iPad to take exams that require LockDown Browser. However, the instructor must first select a setting that permits the use of iPads for the exam. Review this knowledgebase article for more information.

Are there computers on campus students can use to take a test that requires Respondus Monitor?

The Mac Lab (St. Joe room 103) and 3M Resource and Mentoring Center (Library 1st floor) have Respondus LockDown Browser installed on computers that students can use to take exams that require Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor.

I expected Respondus LockDown Browser to automatically launch when I clicked on the exam.

Respondus LockDown Browser is a separate application program from Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. You must login to your course using your regular web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari), click on the link to start the test, and then click on the Launch LockDown Browser button. If LockDown Browser was not installed before starting the exam, you can click on the link to install it from inside the exam instructions screen.

I want to adjust the font size while inside the Respondus LockDown Browser program.

To adjust the font size, click on the "i" icon in the LockDown Browser toolbar. This will open a new window where you can adjust the "zoom level" for your test. Zoom magnifies the entire page, including pictures.

Is Respondus Monitor accessible to students with disabilities?

The short answer is yes. Respondus Monitor requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser. Respondus LockDown Browser accessibility details are as follows:

The Mac version of LockDown Browser works with VoiceOver (the standard screen reader that comes with the Mac OS). LockDown Browser's functions and security remain the same when VoiceOver is used.

The Windows version of LockDown Browser (version 1.0.5.17 and newer) allows a student to use screen reader accessibility programs, such as JAWS and Windows-Eyes. However, the security level of LockDown Browser is lowered when screen readers are used. To address this, the instructor must enable a setting that permits specific students to use a screen reader application with LockDown Browser.

For more information on accessibility settings view this accessibility knowledgebase article.

Where can I find the Respondus Monitor privacy policy?

An easy to read one page data privacy policy document that provides answers to commonly asked questions can be found at this link. The full Respondus Monitor privacy policy can be found at this link.

Is Respondus Monitor training available?

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development (CAT+) provides faculty training and support for Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor. Visit CAT's website for Brightspace workshops or contact Janice Florent.

Students can get help by viewing this introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser/Respondus Monitor video and/or Student Quick Start Guide. If students still have questions they should contact their instructor.

Where can I find additional information (FAQs) for Respondus Monitor?

For additional FAQs visit the Knowledgebase at Respondus.com.

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