Respondus
What is the Respondus Lockdown Browser?
The Respondus Lockdown Browser is a custom browser used by many institutions to ensure academic integrity when writing any assessments online. When the Lockdown Browser is in use it prevents the student from performing other actions on their computer until the assessment is complete. The browser also makes use of a webcam and microphone to further ensure academic honesty.
Accessing the Respondus Lockdown Browser
Download Respondus
The download link is available in the practice quiz in the Quizzes tool in the course or you can access the download here. Once it is downloaded just run it and follow the instructions the installer gives you. Once installed, go to the quiz and click on the launch Lockdown Browser button.
From that link, the student can confirm system requirements and whether to install the Windows or Mac version of the application. They can also view a quick video that explains the software. iPad users can install the LockDown Browser iPad app from the App Store. Instructions for using the iPad app can be found here.
Respondus LockDown Browser requires the user to have administrative access to the computer to install and run the software. Some corporate or university computers may require that you request access from your IT admin team.
Launch Respondus
After downloading and installing the Respondus LockDown Browser, navigate to the quiz, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Launch LockDown Browser”.
Once the exam has started, students are locked into the exam and it may prompt you to close some programs that are running, to continue with the assessment you will have to select yes and close them. They’re unable to print, copy, go to other web addresses, or access other applications on the computer. Web searches, instant messaging, minimizing the browser, and hundreds of other functions are also prevented. Once the exam is completed, students are permitted to exit the browser and their computer will return to its normal state.
Respondus Without Webcam
When starting a quiz that does not require the webcam, the test title will not include "+ Webcam". Instead, students will launch Respondus. Once launched, they should click "Start Quiz" to begin their attempt, after which the questions will appear.
Respondus With Webcam
If your exam requires the use of a webcam, you will be guided through a brief set of screens after launching Respondus and clicking "Start Quiz". Once you have completed this setup, your attempt will begin, and the quiz questions will appear.
After the terms of use the first screen is a webcam check, where you can make sure the webcam is working properly. Additional steps may be required by your instructor, such as showing your identification, or recording a brief video of your examination setting.
You will be greeted with this screen once the Lockdown Browser is ready to start your assessment.
Using the Lockdown Browser
Some assessments may require you to enter some information like showing your student card. This is to ensure the identity of the person writing the assessment. A webcam and microphone may be used to uphold academic integrity. Additionally, the instructor may also require you to show a quick scan of your desk to make sure that the student does not have access to any notes they should not be using.
This is an example of what the assessment will look like using Lockdown Browser.
Respondus LockDown Browser for Chromebooks
Log into the Chromebook and start Google Chrome
Log into Brightspace and navigate to the exam that requires LockDown Browser
Select the link for downloading and installing LockDown Browser
From the Chrome web store, select “Add to Chrome” to install the LockDown Browser Extension
The University of Guelph continues to work with Respondus on reported bugs in the Chromebook version. In alignment with the recommendation that students use Windows or Mac versions until Respondus releases a fix, the use of Chromebooks in Respondus will be disabled at the end of business day on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
OpenEd has a limited number of laptops available through the CTS Loaner Laptop Service. Please contact CourseLink Support (courselink@uoguelph.ca) if you require support.
LockDown Browser has been distributed for over 14 years and is used to take over 100 million online exams annually. It is widely implemented at over 1,500 universities, hundreds of school districts, and thousands of certification and testing centers. There has never been a situation where Respondus has distributed a version of LockDown Browser that had a virus/malware attached to it. The security of these applications have been vetted by hundreds of institutions, including annual checks by third-party security companies. Any executable that requires a user to install it to their computer will be rated as a high threat in terms of virus/malware security.
Tutorial Videos
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