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Respondus LockDown Browser FAQ

Respondus LockDown Browser image

Respondus LockDown Browser is an alternative web browser that may be used by students to take online quizzes and exams. Respondus LockDown Browser:

  • Prevents students from accessing websites, email, or other materials or applications on their computer while taking an exam
  • Secures an exam by preventing screen captures or printing of the exam by students
  • Can be easily applied to any quiz or test by a faculty member in Brightspace

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

Who can use this software?

Faculty and students utilize the Respondus LockDown Browser in different ways. For faculty, Respondus LockDown browser is integrated into Brightspace; faculty can turn on the requirement to use the LockDown Browser on a specific test from a control panel.

Students who are required to use the LockDown browser must have access to the software by either locating a computer with the LockDown Browser installed already, or student must download and install the LockDown Browser to their personal computer.

Where can I find Quick Start Guides for Respondus LockDown Browser?

To access how-to guides on using Respondus LockDown Browser please read the provided Instructor Guide and Student Guide:

How do I enable Respondus LockDown Browser for an exam in my course?

Respondus LockDown Browser tool is installed on Brightspace. Faculty have to enable each test where students will be required to use LockDown Browser. For information on preparing and exam for use with Respondus LockDown Browser, please refer to the Instructor Quick Start Guide and/or view this video.

What are the Respondus LockDown Browser system requirements?

Respondus LockDown Browser can be used on PCs and Macs. Instructors have to option to allow students to use LockDown Browser on their iPads. The system requirements can be found at: respondus.com.

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

Does anything need to be installed on a computer for Respondus LockDown Browser to be used for an online exam?

Yes, the application program for Respondus LockDown Browser must be installed on the computer. Use this link to download Respondus LockDown Browser. There is no cost for the software, and versions of the LockDown Browser are available for Windows PC's and Macs. The LockDown Browser app is available for iPads.

Once installed, students MUST use their regular browser to log in to their course, start the exam, and then click on the Launch LockDown Browser link in order to take any exam which requires the use of LockDown Browser. 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.

How will students use Respondus LockDown Browser to take their exams?

Students should review the Student Quick Start Guide for Respondus LockDown Browser before taking an exam to ensure they understand how to use it. 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 LockDown Browser.

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. 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.

How can I allow students to access specific external web domains during an exam?

The instructor can allow access to specific external web domains during an exam. However, the instructor must first select a setting that permits access to external web domains. Review this knowledgebase article for more information.

Can spreadsheets be used with Respondus LockDown Browser?

LockDown Browser includes a tool that enables .xls/.xlsx spreadsheets to be viewed and manipulated during an exam session. This functionality is available for Windows, Mac, and iPad editions of LockDown Browser. Review this knowledgebase article for more information.

Is Respondus LockDown Browser accessible to students with disabilities?

The short answer is yes. The 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.

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 test 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 LockDown Browser?

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 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.

NOTE: You must login to your Brightspace course using a standard browser (e.g. Chrome or Safari), start the quiz, and then launch LockDown Browser from the quiz page.

XULA is not one of the institutions listed in the LockDown Browser iPad app.

As of version 6.2 of LockDown Browser for iPad, it is no longer possible to manually start LockDown Browser and take an exam in Brightspace. For institutions using Brightspace, an improved launching mechanism called "autolaunch" is now required. This feature allows you to login to Brightspace using a standard mobile browser on the iPad, then launch LockDown Browser from the quiz summary page. Institutions using Brightspace will no longer appear in the LockDown Browser for iPad institution search field.

You must do the following to take a test using an iPad:

  1. Use mobile Safari or Chrome to login to Brightspace.
  2. Navigate to your course, then quiz.
  3. On the quiz summary page, click on the "Launch LockDown Browser" button. if the LockDown Browser for iPad app has already been installed, our institution will automatically be detected, and LockDown Browser should open. If you haven't yet installed the app, you can find it in the Apple app store.

Where can students find a computer with Respondus LockDown Browser installed on campus?

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.

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.

Students receive an error message that they should notify their instructor to access the Respondus LockDown Browser Dashboard once in the new course in order to fix a problem.

Copied courses that have tests/exams with RLDB enabled require instructors to access the Respondus LockDown Browser Dashboard once after the copy to update the RLDB settings in the destination course. This has to be done before students will be able to take exams that require Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB).

I need to close "Dell Dock", "Google Desktop" and "Skype" (Windows users).

Symptom: When LockDown Browser is opened, a message indicates that the user must close an application or program. LockDown Browser offers to close the program but is unable to do, so the application closes.

Solution: If the program indicated is not actually used on this computer, you can uninstall it from Start > Control Panel. To keep the program, change the program's settings so it does not run automatically when Windows starts up, or use Task Manager to stop the program before running Respondus LockDown Browser. Below are instructions for specific programs.

Dell Dock

Dell Dock is a utility included with many Dell computers. Follow one of the steps below when encountering issues with the "Dell Dock" and Respondus LockDown Browser:

  • If the program is not needed, uninstall the Dell Dock from Windows -> Start -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
  • Or, to block Dell Dock from running at startup:
    1. Press the 'Windows logo' key and the 'R' key simultaneously on the keyboard.
    2. Type "msconfig" (without quotes) in the box that comes up, and then press Enter.
    3. In the next box that comes up, navigate to the start-up tab, then un-check the box next to "delldock".
    4. Click "Apply" then "OK".
    5. Restart the computer.
  • Or, to disable the utility from within Dell Dock, see: http://www.ehow.com/how_4773983_remove-dell-dock.html

Google Desktop

Google Desktop is a utility that allows users to search files on the computer and to use a Sidebar gadget bar to display applets on top of other programs. Follow one of the steps below when encountering issues with Google Desktop and Respondus LockDown Browser:

  • If the Google Desktop is not being used on the computer, the best option is to remove it from the system through Windows -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
  • Or, manually stop Google Desktop before starting LockDown Browser by starting Task Manager and using End Process to stop all Google processes.

Skype

Skype is a program that allows conferencing and phone calls over the internet. Follow one of the steps below when encountering issues with Skype and Respondus LockDown Browser:

  • If Skype is not being used on the computer, the best option is to remove it from the system through Windows -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features (Windows 10/8/7).
  • Or, close any browsers that are open, since Skype will attach itself to those browsers. Then, manually stop Skype before starting LockDown Browser by starting Task Manager and using End Process to stop all Skype processes.

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.

How can students view test results and feedback for a test where Respondus LockDown Browser is required?

Here's a link to step-by-step instructions on how to view completed test submissions.

Is Respondus LockDown Browser 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 LockDown Browser?

For additional FAQs visit the Knowledgebase at Respondus.com.

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