Respondus Tools
Respondus Tools
Ensuring the academic integrity of online exams is crucial to many academic programs at Nazareth University when alternative assessment strategies are not an option. There are a variety of ways to ensure the integrity of an online test baked into Moodle Quiz and through the use of higher-order question types. Sometimes, these strategies are not enough to ensure the integrity of an online exam.
Faculty administering high-stakes assessments using Moodle Quiz also have the option to enable added layers of security using Respondus virtual monitoring tools at no additional charge to students. The only requirement for using this virtual monitoring solution is that the application must be installed on the student's personal device.
For academic statements regarding LockDown Browser, and other syllabus requirements, refer to the Academic Affairs Syllabus Guide.
Note: The use of these online testing tools can help reduce the likelihood of academic integrity violations when delivering high-stakes assessments using Moodle Quiz, however, there is not one solution available that is guaranteed to be 100% effective!
Nazareth University has a campus-wide license for the Respondus 4.0, an authoring tool that enables faculty to create and manage exams for Moodle and other LMS environments. This software serves as both an exam builder and exam formatting tool that allows faculty to import quizzes into Moodle using publisher test banks or MS Word files. Faculty can also use Respondus 4.0 to export quizzes from Moodle to their computer in order to create printable, paper-based exams.
Note: This software license permits faculty to install a copy of the Respondus software on a home or travel computer. In accordance with the Respondus licensing agreement, faculty users are not permitted to provide the Respondus software or password information to anyone who is not affiliated with Nazareth University.
To install the Respondus 4.0 software, you can access the link below, which is a password protected document available only to Nazareth faculty.
Respondus Installation Guide ➞ Link
The Respondus Resource Site offers several resources and guides to managing and creating your online assessments. Below are some helpful video tutorials to help get you started!
Formatting & Importing Questions
Publishing to Quiz Questions Moodle
Using Publisher Test Banks to Create Quizzes
1. Respondus LockDown Browser is an academic integrity tool designed for onsite, proctored settings that can be required when taking a Moodle exam. This browser creates an added level of security by limiting a student's ability to print, access the internet, and use other programs until the exam is submitted. Moodle quizzes that are set to require the use of LDB cannot be accessed using any other web browser.
2. Respondus Monitor is a companion feature to LockDown Browser that is intended for remote, high-stakes exams. Monitor activates the student webcam and microphone during the assessment and flags questionable behavior for review by faculty afterwards.
If students have security concerns relating to this application, you should refer them to the Respondus Privacy Statement. If you have concerns about using virtual proctoring tools for online testing given the recent Ogletree vs Cleveland State University ruling, please review Respondus' statement on the ruling.
This browser creates an added level of security by limiting a user’s ability to print, access the internet and use other programs until the quiz is submitted. Quizzes designated to be taken with Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) cannot be accessed by any other internet browsers.
The use of LDB requires students to download this application to their personal computer or have access to a computer lab that is Respondus enabled. If students have security concerns relating to this application, you should refer them to the Respondus Privacy Statement.
When using LDB in your course, please share the following statement in your Course Moodle:
Make Sure Your LockDown Browser App is Up-To-Date:
Please visit Preparing your Device for a LockDown Browser Exam prior to online exams in Moodle. This link provides two simple, proactive steps you can take to guard against issues during a live, online exam.
Should students request assistance, direct them to the Student Support Site for more resources.
Navigate to your Course in Moodle, and enable Edit Mode.
Click + Add a Block on the right-hand side, and select Respondus LockDown Browser (see Figure 1). Once selected, the page will automatically refresh and the new block will display on the right-hand side of your course.
To activate LDB for a quiz or test, navigate to the Respondus section in your Block Drawer and press Dashboard (see Figure 2).
Next to the desired quiz, click the Menu icon and select Settings from the drop-down menu (see Figure 3).
Select Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this Exam. Open the Advanced Settings dropdown to enable and disable certain permissions (see Figure 4).
Click Save + Close, and verify your settings by navigating back to the Quiz/Test in your course.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
When giving high-stakes exams in a non-proctored environment, it is advised that faculty enable BOTH Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) and Respondus Monitor. In addition to the secure browsing capabilities of LDB, Monitor uses a student’s webcam to record their test and flag questionable behaviors. Recordings and identified flags can be reviewed by faculty after the exam.
Note: It is highly recommended that instructors give a practice, low-stakes exam utilizing LDB & Monitor before the real, high-stakes exam. This will reduce student anxiety and misunderstanding, as well as decrease the likelihood of technical difficulties in the future.
To activate Monitor, follow the steps in the previous section to first activate LockDown Browser. When adjusting the settings, navigate to the Proctoring section, and click Require Respondus Monitor for this Exam (see Figure 4).
Having trouble? Contact the Technology & Media Service Desk at 585-389-2111 or tmsd@naz.edu