Respondus Exam Monitoring Tools

Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor are exam security tools. The LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Blackboard and does not allow navigation to other sites, screen recording/sharing, and more. Monitor is a proctoring tool that records students taking the exam and allows the instructor to review the footage.

Before You Begin

Follow the unique URL to download Respondus LockDown Browser for Catholic University of America: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=322087383

For Instructors:

To enable Respondus LockDown Browser in your Blackboard course, navigate to your course. On the left hand side menu bar, scroll down to the Control Panel and select the drop down menu next to Customization, and select Tool Availability. This will take you to a menu of course tools. Scroll down until you see Respondus LockDown Browser and select the check box to enable it. Click Submit to confirm the selection.

Once you have done this, scroll down to the Course Tools menu, and select the drop down arrow. Find Respondus LockDown Browser to begin setting up your exam.

Respondus LockDown Browser

Instructor Quick Start Guide
Respondus Instructor Training Video (YouTube)
Student Quick Start Guide
Student Overview Video (YouTube)

Respondus Monitor

Training Webinars

Respondus is currently offering free training webinars. Register here: https://web.respondus.com/support/webinars/

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Respondus Monitor, the webcam feature, along with Respondus LockDown Browser?

No, the webcam feature is optional. We recommend using Monitor only if you need to, and we do not recommend requiring students to show any form of ID before taking the test. More on Respondus Monitor settings can be found here: Respondus Quick Start Guide

Where are video recordings stored from Respondus Monitor?

Video recorded from Respondus Monitor, an optional addition to the Respondus LockDown Browser, are stored on Respondus' AWS servers. These servers are similar to Blackboard's or Panopto's servers, and are secure.

Will I be able to use exams from publishers?

Yes. If the exam generates within your Blackboard course (i.e. does not require the student to navigate outside of learn.cua.edu), then you can use the default Respondus Settings. However, if the exam requires the student to navigate to an external webpage, outside of learn.cua.edu, you must set this in Advanced Settings. More information can be found here: Accessing external web domains in LockDown Browser

Will the browser interfere with my normal computer functions?

The LockDown browser will only prevent users from accessing other computer functions while it is up and running. Students may uninstall the application after the exam is complete. If a user does experience difficulty with other applications while the browser is installed, Respondus recommends restarting the computer.