Respondus LockDown Browser Overview

Respondus LockDown Browser Overview (Instructors)

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the online testing environment within Canvas. When students use LockDown Browser with Canvas Quiz, they are unable to print, copy, go to other websites, access other applications, or close the test until it is submitted for grading. Tests created for use with Respondus LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with standard browsers. Respondus LockDown Browser is used in three different scenarios:

1. Respondus LockDown Browser ONLY for online tests delivered in a proctored setting, such as computer labs or testing locations where multiple students will be testing at the same time.

2. Respondus LockDown Browser + Zoom where an instructor will proctor students using a student's web camera in real-time during an online exam.

3. Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor as an automated proctoring system that allows student's to take exams from home using a student’s web camera to record and analyze the examination environment. Screen recording is only available for exams that use both Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Proctoring results are available to the instructor after the exam is complete.

For any course you are teaching and using Respondus LockDown Browser + Zoom or Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor the Schedule of Classes must be updated by the instructor. In the Section Comment include that students are required to have a web camera, microphone, and Internet connection to participate in the course. If you need assistance with this step, please contact University Scheduling.

Review the Instructor Quick Start Guide for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor for Canvas and Screen Recording for Respondus Monitor to get started. For additional information about LockDown Browser, Responuds Monitor, and Instructor Live Proctoring and suggestions on when to use these options continue reading this article.

LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor & Instructor Live Proctoring

Respondus LockDown Browser Only

Respondus LockDown Browser works well in computer labs or testing locations where multiple students will be testing at the same time. Exam management can increase the security of exams and reduce the likelihood of cheating.

Limitations of Respondus LockDown Browser

When creating online assessments that will be taken in computer labs or testing locations where multiple students will be testing at the same time consider the following:

1. Divided Attention — In many live proctoring scenarios, a single proctor monitors several students at a time. This divides their attention and can impact the accuracy of their proctoring. While they are observing each student’s behavior throughout the entire exam, they may also miss attempts at academic dishonesty because they were focused on another student.

2. Student Self-Consciousness — When students have a sense that they are being watched, they don’t perform as well on assessments.

3. NO Recording - There are no thumbnails and videos of student assessments to review.

Instructor Online Proctoring

When LockDown Browser is used with Zoom, the instructor watches students remotely during an online test. This feature requires the use of Zoom and is intended for small classes where the instructor can view all students on the screen at once.

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 Respondus LockDown Browser from there. The instructor can then watch students via Zoom 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. These features are only available with Respondus Monitor.

Limitations of Instructor Online Proctoring

Instructor Live Proctoring is when Respondus LockDown Browser is used with Zoom. The instructor watches the student taking a Canvas quiz through their web camera (there is no recording of the computer screen). This feature is intended for small classes where the instructor can view all students on the screen at once. When creating online assessments to include in your course consider the following:

1. NO Physical Proctor - Without a physical proctor, it is impossible to prevent students from using other electronic devices such as another computer, tablet, iPad, cell phone, or calculators during the exam. The same is true for print materials such as notes, crib sheets, or textbooks.

2. Online Assessments Equivalent to Take Home Exams - Consider Canvas online assessments that are completed by students outside the classroom equivalent to a take home exam

3. NO Recording - There are no thumbnails and videos of student assessments to review.

4. Potential Technology Barriers - Running the webcam at all times during the online assessment may tax a student's device or internet connection in a way that interrupts or diminishes their testing experience or performance.

5. Consider Alternative Assessment Methods - Research papers, constructing a diagram or itemized tables, mind/concept maps, producing a video, or other projects are alternative assessment methods where no one "right" answer is possible and also demonstrates understanding how to establish solutions to problems.

Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor

Respondus Monitor is an extended feature of Respondus LockDown Browser that adds additional asynchronous proctoring abilities. Students using Respondus Monitor record audio and video of themselves taking an assessment. Before an assessment is started, students perform a serious of tasks to prove their identity, test their camera and microphone, and validate their test taking environment. Once the assessment begins their testing session is recorded until they click Submit for grading.

Respondus Monitor offers the following options:

1. Identity Verification - Require students to show a photo ID before beginning the assessment.

2. Environment Check - Require students to scan their testing environment with their webcam to confirm there are no prohibited materials, such as textbooks, notes, or other devices. 

3. Asynchronous Proctoring - Review thumbnails or the entire video of a student's assessment completion to look for possible policy violations.

Limitations of Respondus LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor

Respondus Monitor is a web camera feature used together with Respondus LockDown Browser that records students from home during online, non-proctored Canvas Quizzes. When this feature is enabled for a quiz, students are required to use a webcam and microphone with LockDown Browser. The student is recorded taking a Canvas quiz by their web camera. There is also a Screen Recording for Respondus Monitor option. After the quiz is complete, an instructor can review details of the assessment, even the recorded videos. When creating online assessments to include in your course consider the following:

1. NO Physical Proctor - Instructors are responsible for reviewing thumbnails and videos of student assessments after the exam has been submitted. 

2. Potential Technology Barriers - Running the webcam at all times during the online assessment may tax a student's device or Internet connection in a way that interrupts or diminishes their testing experience or performance.

NOTE: There are currently no plans to offer screen recording for iPad users.

Creating a Contingency Plan

The increased use of online courses has created the requirement for a secure testing environment, TWU has made Respondus LockDown Browser available for instructor to use in Canvas as a virtual proctor for students to take online quizzes from home. In the event that the student is NOT able to successfully install and launch Respondus LockDown Browser another proctored assessment solution needs to be available.

Identifying Approved Proctors

Students near a TWU campus will be expected to take proctored assessments in a TWU Computer Lab as designated by the instructor.  Assessments can be taken on the date and times agreed on by the instructor and the student.

For students outside the geographic area of a TWU campus other arrangements to take proctored assessments must be approved in advance by the instructor. If a student must make other arrangements, the following is a list of acceptable proctors:

1. Administrator at public or private schools that include: superintendent, principal, guidance counselor, teacher, or librarian

2. Preacher, priest, or rabbi that include: association with a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue

3. Education officers from military installations or at correctional facilities

4. Other as long as they are approved by the instructor

The student's employer, supervisor, co-worker, relative or friend is NOT a qualified proctor.

Proctor Forms

There are three forms (attached Files) provided as examples:

1. Proctor ID Form - This form is completed by the student and the suggested proctor and submitted to the instructor for approval

2. Academic Integrity Policy Statement - This is a form signed by the student that shows an understanding of the policy on scholastic dishonesty and an agreement to abide by that policy. The student will sign the form at the testing center before the assessment is started

3. Certificate of Supervision Form - This form will be used to provide instructions about the assessment from the instructor to the proctor and examination conditions or other relevant information from the proctor back to the instructor after the assessment is completed

Respondus LockDown Browser Information to Add to Your Syllabus

For any course you are teaching and using Respondus Monitor or Instructor Live Proctoring the Schedule of Classes must be updated by the instructor. In the Section Comment include that students are required to have a web camera, microphone, and Internet connection to participated in the course. If you need assistance with this step, please contact University Scheduling.

Add a section into your course syllabus to inform students about the Respondus LockDown Browser requirement for this course.

Using Respondus LockDown Browser for Online Quizzes

This course requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser for online quizzes. Respondus LockDown Browser is a software application that must be installed on the workstation or laptop before attempting to complete an online Canvas Quiz. The application serves as a virtual proctor by preventing printing, capturing the screen to copy assessment questions, disabling messaging and screen-sharing, disabling function keys, and disabling access to other applications and Internet content.

Respondus LockDown Browser should ONLY be used for taking Canvas assessments and review assessment feedback and should NOT be used for any other activities in Canvas.

Information to Download and Install Respondus LockDown Browser for Canvas is available in the Respondus LockDown Browser in Canvas (Students) article (this only needs to be done once). After installing Respondus LockDown Browser you will want to complete the Respondus LockDown Browser Practice Quiz. Contact the instructor if you have problems downloading, installing, or taking the practice quiz with Respondus LockDown Browser, an alternative plan to take proctored online assessments can be setup if needed.

(Optional) Using Respondus Monitor or Instructor Live Proctoring for Online Quizzes

This course also requires the use of Respondus Monitor or Instructor Live Proctoring for online quizzes. Respondus Monitor and Instructor Live Proctoring are extended features of Respondus LockDown Browser that requires students to have a webcam and microphone recording at all times during their quizzes.

Support Options

1. Contact an Instructional Designer to request assistance with Respondus LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor, Instructor Live Proctoring, Commons, or discuss effective ways to assess students in your Canvas courses.

2. Search the Respondus Knowledge Base for a solution.

3. Canvas Support will be available 24/7 by phone, live chat, or email through the Help menu within Canvas after you have logged in. For more information see How to Contact Canvas Support.

4. If you are unable to log in, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 940-898-3971 or servicedesk@twu.edu for assistance.