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Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) has a remote proctoring option that works with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and other web based video systems. The 'Instructor Live Proctoring' option uses LockDown Browser to deter cheating on the computer itself, while the instructor watches students via video conferencing. The Instructor Live Proctoring method is recommended for small class sizes (20-25 students max) where instructors can effectively observe and track students during the exam.

laptop screen with a series of avatars

When Respondus LockDown Browser is used with Instructor Live Proctoring, the instructor and students meet in the video conferencing application at a specified time. When ready, the instructor provides students a start code for the online exam – students start LockDown Browser from there. The instructor can then watch students via the video conference system for the duration of the exam. Note that Instructor Live Proctoring DOES NOT record the student video, nor does it alert the instructor to suspicious events. Those features are only available with Respondus Monitor, the automated proctoring solution.

The RLDB Instructor Live Proctoring option is supported on Windows, MacOS and the new Chromebook Extension. LockDown Browser for iPad doesn’t directly support the Instructor Live Proctoring option (the iPad assessment mode doesn’t allow multiple apps to run simultaneously), but similar results can be achieved if a second device is used.

Want more information?

Instructor Live Proctoring with LockDown Browser (video)
About LockDown Browser - Instructor Live Proctoring
Instructor Live Proctoring Quick Start Guide
RLDB Instructor Live Proctoring FAQ
Brightspace Tip #200: Respondus LockDown Browser / Respondus Monitor
Tips for Using Zoom to Proctor Your Online Exams

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Image credit: "video conference" by jflorent is dedicated to the public domain under CC0 is a derivative of image1, image2, image3, and image4 by coffeebeanworks used under Pixabay license.

Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) has a new remote proctoring option that works with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and other web based video systems. The new 'Instructor Live Proctoring' option uses LockDown Browser to prevent cheating on the computer itself, while the instructor watches students via video conferencing. The Instructor Live Proctoring method is recommended for small class sizes (20-25 students max) where instructors can effectively observe and track students during the exam.

Zoom Class Meeting

When Respondus LockDown Browser is used with Instructor Live Proctoring, the instructor and students meet in the video conferencing application at a specified time. When ready, the instructor provides students a start code for the online exam – students start LockDown Browser from there. The instructor can then watch students via the video conference system for the duration of the exam. Note that Instructor Live Proctoring DOES NOT record the student video, nor does it alert the instructor to suspicious events. Those features are only available with Respondus Monitor, the automated proctoring solution.

The RLDB Instructor Live Proctoring option is supported on Windows, MacOS and the new Chromebook Extension. LockDown Browser for iPad doesn’t directly support the Instructor Live Proctoring option (the iPad assessment mode doesn’t allow multiple apps to run simultaneously), but similar results can be achieved if a second device is used.

Want more information?

Instructor Live Proctoring with LockDown Browser (video)
About LockDown Browser - Instructor Live Proctoring
Instructor Live Proctoring Quick Start Guide
RLDB Instructor Live Proctoring FAQ
Brightspace Tip #200: Respondus LockDown Browser / Respondus Monitor

View all the Brightspace training recaps
Instructors Quick Start Tutorial
Continuous Delivery release notes
Brightspace Known Issues
Request a sandbox course
Sign-up for Brightspace training sessions
You can find Brightspace help at D2L's website.
Join the Brightspace Community.
Try these Brightspace How-To documents.
Visit our Brightspace FAQs for additional Brightspace information
or schedule a one-on-one session, email, or
call Janice Florent: (504) 520-7418.

Note: Are you doing something innovative in Brightspace or perhaps you've discovered a handy tip? Share how you are using Brightspace in your teaching and learning in The Orange Room.

Respondus LockDown Browser image

Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) is a customized browser that increases the security of test delivery in Brightspace. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser to access an exam, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. Once an assessment is started, students are locked into it until it's submitted for grading.

Respondus Monitor image

Respondus Monitor builds upon the power of LockDown Browser, using a student's webcam and industry-leading video analytics to discourage cheating during online exams.

RLDB / Respondus Monitor Resources

You may find these resources helpful if you are planning to use Responus LockDown Browser / Respondus Monitor:

Practice Quiz

If you are using Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) / Respondus Monitor for online exams, you should require students to take a practice quiz before the first test that requires RLDB/Respondus Monitor. The practice quiz should have a few questions in it to simulate what the student would experience when taking an actual exam. By taking the practice quiz the student can ensure that their computer, webcam and internet are working properly. Allow unlimited attempts on the practice quiz, so students can take it whenever their device or networking environment changes. Here are some tips on how to run a successful practice quiz.

Respondus 24/7 Live Chat

24/7 Live Chat is available for students who may experience problems while taking an exam that requires RLDB/Respondus Monitor. Students can access built-in troubleshooting and live chat from within Respondus Monitor if they encounter a technical problem when taking an exam that requires RLDB/Respondus Monitor. You should provide your students with the link to the RLDB/Respondus Monitor Student Resources which includes information on how to access the 24/7 Live Chat (by Respondus Tech Support).

RLDB Settings in Copied Courses

If you copy a course that has tests/exams with RLDB enabled, you will have to access the 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 RLDB.

Want more information?

For Instructors:

For Students:

View all the Brightspace training recaps
Instructors Quick Start Tutorial
Continuous Delivery release notes
Brightspace Known Issues
Request a sandbox course
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You can find Brightspace help at D2L's website.
Join the Brightspace Community.
Try these Brightspace How-To documents.
Visit our Brightspace FAQs for additional Brightspace information
or schedule a one-on-one session, email, or
call Janice Florent: (504) 520-7418.

Note: Are you doing something innovative in Brightspace or perhaps you've discovered a handy tip? Share how you are using Brightspace in your teaching and learning in The Orange Room.

Updated: 9/4/2021

RLDB

Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) is a customized browser that increases the security of test delivery in Brightspace. Respondus LockDown Browser is intended for use by students while taking assessments that have been prepared for use with Respondus LockDown Browser. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser to access an exam, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. Once an assessment is started, students are locked into the assessment until it’s submitted for grading.

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

There are advanced features available when setting up an assessment that requires Respondus LockDown Browser. Advanced settings that instructors have the option to use are:

  • Allow students to take the exam with an iPad, using the free LockDown Browser app
  • Allow students to access to specific external web domains during the exam
  • Provide students with a calculator or print function in the LockDown Browser toolbar

RLDB settings

The “Allow access to specific external web domains” option is a relatively new feature of RLDB. By default, if an exam contains a link to an external web domain, students can view the initial page but all links and navigation from that page are blocked.

When the “Allow access to specific external web domains” setting is selected it allows a student to access any page or link within the specified domain when taking the exam. This is useful, for example, to provide access to an e-book during an exam. More information about the “Allow access to specific external web domains” setting can be found in this Knowledge Base article.

RLDB external web domains

Additionally, RLDB includes a tool that enables .xls/.xlsx spreadsheets to be viewed and manipulated during an exam session. To enable spreadsheets to be accessed in RLDB, the instructor would add a link to the spreadsheet in the question wording. When a student selects the link within LockDown Browser, an Excel-like spreadsheet tool will open. The spreadsheet can be pre-populated with content or it can be a blank spreadsheet created in Excel that students use to prepare their answers. The instructor can require the students use the spreadsheet to calculate their answer to a quiz question as shown in this example:

spreadsheet link in quiz question

Alternatively, the instructor can require students to create or modify a spreadsheet and submit the spreadsheet for grading as shown in this example:

spreadsheet link in quiz question

Spreadsheet functionality is available for students taking RLDB exams using Windows, Mac, and iPad editions of LockDown Browser. More information about this feature and how to set it up can be found in the “Can spreadsheets be used with LockDown Browser?” Knowledge Base article.

Want more information?

Respondus LockDown Browser FAQ
RLDB Instructor Quick Start Guide
LockDown Browser Advanced Settings webinar recording
Respondus Monitor FAQ
View all the Brightspace training recaps
Brightspace Known Issues
Request a sandbox course
Sign-up for Brightspace training sessions
You can find Brightspace help at D2L's website.
Join the Brightspace Community.
Try these Brightspace How-To documents.
Visit our Brightspace FAQs for additional Brightspace information
or schedule a one-on-one session, email, or
call Janice Florent: (504) 520-7418.