What Is Respondus Lockdown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) is a custom web browser that secures the testing environment within Blackboard. If used, LockDown Browser prevents the students’ ability to print, copy, access other websites or run other applications while taking an exam/quiz.

Special Note about use of iPad's to complete an LDB Exam

• iPad's can be used to complete an LDB Only exam (no special configuration is needed)
• For tests that require use of both LDB and Monitor, the instructor must specifically configure the exam to allow use of an iPad in the Monitor Advanced Settings found in the LDB Dashboard.

LockDown Browser cannot be run in the Virtual Lab.

NOTE ON USE OF CHROMEBOOKS TO COMPLETE AN EXAM:

Limitations and/or known issues with LockDown Browser for Chromebook:

• Quiz passwords (specified via the "optional password" field in the LockDown Browser Dashboard) aren’t currently supported for exams that use only LockDown Browser. For exams requiring Respondus Monitor, the optional password field is supported.
• LockDown Browser’s Calculator and Spreadsheet features aren’t currently supported
• The extended keyboard functions (for adding symbols and special characters) isn’t currently available
• LockDown Browser’s “Help Center” is currently unavailable
• "Allow access to specific external web domains" option is currently not supported

NOTE: If a Panopto video is added within the same content area as a LockDown Browser exam, there is an additional LDB setting that must be enabled in order for students to successfully access / complete the exam. See the FAQ section below for additional information.

KNOWN ISSUE:  EXAM AUTO SUBMITS UNEXPECTEDLY ON A STUDENT

A known issue of an LDB exam suddenly submitting on a student may occur IF (a) Force Completion is checked in the exam configuration settings and (b) the student's internet connection is momentarily interrupted.  See:  A student's test auto-submitted before they had finished it. Why?.  The instructor will have to determine if unchecking Force Completion is desired.  Using Force Completion requires students to complete the exam in one sitting, not allowing them to access the exam, see the questions, exit out, and return later to complete.  

Requiring LockDown Browser for a Specific Exam / Quiz

In order to require the use of LockDown Browser for an assessment, the assessment in question must be created and deployed (added) to a content area. This can still be done in a way that does not make the exam available to students. For more information on deploying exams, please consult the Adding Tests to a Content Area tutorial.

1. In the course in which the exam is present, Click on the view course & institution tools and select the Respondus LockDown Browser

2. This will display a list of all the exams / quizzes currently deployed in the course and indicate whether Respondus LockDown Browser is currently required for student use or not. Click on the Action Menu button next to the exam and click on Modify Settings to change Respondus LockDown Browser to required

 

3. Under LockDown Browser Settings:

• 3.1. Click the radio button to Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam
   
• 3.2. Enter an exam Password (optional). If configured, LockDown Browser will prompt students to enter this password. This is not recommended
   
• 3.3 Click the [ + ] to expand Advanced Settings. Advanced Settings are available to:
  • Lock students into the browser until exam is completed. The default is off, meaning if students exit the exam, they will need to provide an explanation of why they exited which can be viewed by instructors. Additional information is available in the FAQ section below. If enabled, a Password to close browser and exit exam early (optional) can be added
     
  • Allow students to take this exam with an iPad using the LockDown Browser app from iTunes. Students must also download the iPad Edition of LDB, see the FAQ section below. Careful consideration should be given to allowing exams to be completed via the iPad version of LDB, as additional technical and connectivity considerations may be complicating factors in a student's testing experience
     
  • Allow access to specific external web site domains. The default is off meaning if an exam contains a link to a web site, students may visit that website, but links on it are blocked. When this option is checked and a website domain is added, students can visit any page or link on that website domain

NOTE: This is useful for providing access to a publisher's e-book website during an exam.

• Enable Calculator on the toolbar. When enabled, students will have access to a standard or scientific calculator on the LDB toolbar
   
• Enable Printing on the toolbar. When enabled, students will have a print button on the LDB toolbar allowing the exam screen to be printed
   

• 3.4 Under Monitor Webcam Settings, select one of the following options. See separate KB article for more specific information about Respondus Monitor:
  • Don't require Respondus Monitor for this exam (Default)
  • Require Respondus Monitor for this exam
  • Either Respondus Monitor or a proctored lab can be used to take this exam

 

4. Click Save + Close when finished
    
5. When finished, verify that the exam’s title has been appended to include Requires Respondus LockDown Browser and the green Required option is visible under the LockDown Browser column

NOTE: Once Respondus LockDown Browser has been enabled for an exam it will automatically generate and insert a password within the Test Options area. It is very important that you *do not* modify any of the following settings once Respondus LockDown Browser has been enabled: Name, Open Test in New Window, Require A Password or Password (see screen image below). These settings are automatically set and controlled by Respondus LockDown Browser - making a change to any of these items will disable LockDown Browser entirely. Refer to the FAQ section below for additional information.

Correcting LockDown Browser Errors / Problems

In the event students are no longer being prompted to load Respondus LockDown Browser or errors are received when attempting to access the exam, it is most likely caused by modifying the Name, Open Test in New Window, Require A Password or Password settings within the Test Options area after Respondus LockDown Browser has been enabled for the exam.

1. To verify the current status of Respondus LockDown Browser for the exam, expand the Course Tools menu in the Control Panel and select Respondus LockDown Browser to view the Dashboard
    
2. If the test status shows Error rather than Required, click the Fix It button

 

3. Once corrected, the status should again display Required

NOTE: To remove the requirement of Respondus LockDown Browser from an exam, enter the LockDown Browser Dashboard (Control Panel > Course Tools > Respondus LockDown Browser) and click the Action Menu button next to the exam in question followed by Modify Settings. Then, select the option Don't require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When would I want to use this feature?
A1. This feature would generally be used to prevent students from copying or printing the exam or any time additional exam security is desired, outside of what is already provided in the Exam Options area of Blackboard (i.e. Force Completion, Timer, Question Randomization, etc.). If students need to use existing course materials or need access to various outside websites to complete an exam, you will need to specifically allow access to those website domains in the LDB advanced settings, otherwise, they will not be able to access those materials. This is also a consideration with open-book exams in cases where students are utilizing an online publishers textbook and do not have a hard copy book to use.

Q2. Where do my students go to download LDB?
A2. LDB can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=291112242. However, we also recommend adding a link to the Respondus Student Tutorial in the same area where the exams have been added. The student tutorial also contains a link for students to download LDB as well as a complete step-by-step guide for use.

Q3. What are the considerations of students using iPads with LDB?
A3. First, instructors must specifically enable the option in the LDB advanced settings area for each exam to allow students to take the exam with iPads. Students will need to download and use the separate iPad Edition of Respondus LockDown Browser from iTunes at this link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775?mt=8.

While iPads offer convenience to students, wireless connections are more prone to interruptions and disconnects. We encourage students to use desktop and laptop computers with a hard-wired connection while taking online exams as they are more reliable and less likely to cause problems.

Q4. I know that I didn't add a password, so why is there now a password appearing in the Test Options? Can I remove it?
A4. When the LDB requirement is enabled for an exam, a random password is automatically generated and inserted into the Password field within Edit the Test Options. This password is what enforces the requirement to use LDB, as the LDB application knows the password and passes it to Blackboard when the exam is accessed. In the event students try to access the exam with another browser, they will be prompted for this password and will be unable to continue. This password should not be removed or modified, as doing so will compromise the enforcement of LDB and / or not allow students to access the exam. Additionally, this password should not be provided to students.

Q5. What happens if students try to access the exam with another standard browser?
A5. If a student attempts to access the exam using a browser other than LDB, they will be prompted for the LockDown Browser-generated password and will be unable to continue.

Q6. I am an online instructor. Am I required to use this?
A6. No. Requiring that your students use LockDown Browser is optional.

Q7. If a student exited the exam early, how will instructors find this information?
A7. If a student exited the exam early, a numerical icon will appear on the LDB Dashboard screen. From the contextual menu, select Review Early Exits to view when the student exited the exam and the reason provided by the student for exiting early.

Q8. If I perform a Course Copy will my LockDown Browser settings copy over?
A8. Yes, and no. Once the copy is complete, you will need to access the Control Panel > Tools > LockDown Browser and click the Fix It button to ensure the LockDown Browser settings for the copied exams are re-established in the new course.

Q9. I have a Panopto video that's right above the exam link and I want students to view it before taking the LDB exam, but students are receiving an Unable to Continue error message and are unable to complete the exam. How can I fix this?
A9. One alternative would be to remove the Panopto video link altogether from that course area and send the link via email to students to view it outside of Blackboard prior to taking the exam. Otherwise, Instructors will need to access the LDB Exam Advanced Settings area and specifically add the https://chipcast.cmich.edu domain within the Allow Access to Specific External Domains option. After completing this step, students will be able to view the video and complete the exam without error. Refer to the screenshot below for an example.

https://chipcast.hosted.panopto.com