Some courses will require the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor to administer the online exams. Be sure you have the appropriate device for your required course work. To know if your course will be utilizing either of these software items, please refer to the course syllabus.

Use of an iPad on a Lockdown Browser test must be allowed by the instructor and configured within the Lockdown Browser settings. 

Your course may implement the use of Respondus Monitor with LockDown Browser. The Respondus Monitor software uses a webcam with your computer along with a microphone to record you while completing your online exam in LockDown Browser. If Respondus Monitor is used, your computer must have a functioning webcam and microphone. Windows users need to have Adobe Flash Player installed to Internet Explorer, even if a different browser is normally used. Mac users must have Adobe Flash Player installed to Safari. A broadband connection is also required. Installing LockDown Browser on your computer also installs Respondus Monitor.

When taking an exam using Respondus Monitor, you will be required to show a photo ID and perform an environment scan by using the web cam to record your surroundings. A system’s check will be conducted prior to the beginning of your exam to ensure the webcam and microphone are working properly.

Respondus Monitor Recording Etiquette

When using Respondus Monitor please consider the following recommendations to ensure the best possible outcome. Prior to the start of each assessment requiring use of Respondus Monitor a Webcam Check will occur. This check will confirm your webcam and microphone are in working order. Once the webcam check and any other checks required by your instructor are concluded, the following additional measures should also be taken:

• Camera Position and Angle: Capture your image squarely in the frame. If your posture or position changes during the assessment, remember to adjust your camera accordingly.
   
• Lighting: Complete assessments in a well-lit environment. Overhead lighting or light of daylight quality is preferred. Avoid using light sources positioned behind you.
   
• Internet Connectivity: a broadband Internet connection (e.g. Cable, DSL, LAN, etc.) is required to reliably capture video. Insufficient bandwidth may result in interrupted video recordings and prompt concerns from your instructor.
   
• Handling the Unexpected: While precautions should be taken to eliminate distractions and interruptions during exam sessions, unexpected events such as a knock at the door, communication from another member of the household, movements of a pet, or the needs of a child may arise. If something occurs, take a moment to explain on camera what transpired.
   
• Staying Relaxed: The experience of being ‘on camera’ during an exam may initially cause some anxiety. While you will need to remain cognizant of the advice above throughout the exam, your focus should remain on successful completion. In time, your comfort level with the webcam will increase.

Respondus Monitor uses facial detection software to determine if a human face is present throughout the testing experience.  When a student cannot be detected, it may mean there are obstacles preventing the search algorithm from finding the light/dark pixel patterns that are typical of a human face. These obstacles include:

1. Facial occlusions – which is anything that covers any portion of the face, such as hair, eyeglasses, clothing (hoodies, baseball caps, burqas), hands-on the face, etc. The more areas of the face that are covered, the fewer light/dark pixel patterns that will be available for detection.
2. Head cropping – the most problematic type of cropping is when the webcam is tilted up too high and the lower portions of the face aren’t showing (e.g. chin, lips, etc.). Side cropping is also problematic and is typical of an open-notes exam where a student might lean out of the frame to look at a textbook or notes.
3. Poor lighting – backlighting can cause a student’s face to be very dark, which affects the light patterns normally found with a human face. Low lighting introduces a similar problem, where there simply isn’t enough light on the face to allow the light/dark patterns of the face to emerge.
4. Bad internet connectivity – Respondus Monitor will lower the frame rate if it detects a slow or unstable internet connection. This means the frame rate might get reduced from 24 fps to 3 fps, resulting in less data (frames) being available for analysis. If the MISSING flag is set to trigger after a student is missing for 10 seconds, that only allows 30 frames to be searched for a human face, opposed to 240 frames for students with a high frame rate. The more frames available for analysis, the more likely one of them will result in facial detection (which resets the timer).
5. Low-quality webcam – A very inexpensive webcam has a lower resolution than a high-quality webcam. This results in a less clear video image (which can impact facial detection), and a video frame that is smaller too, making it more difficult to keep your face within the video frame. As noted above, a cropped face can also inhibit facial detection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I am not able to click OK to view the results after submitting my exam. The screen just hangs.
A1. This is a current known issue for exams that have been configured to open in a new window but also require LockDown Browser. Click the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the exam window. You'll then be able to access the My Grades tool from the course menu and click on your exam score to view results (depending on which feedback settings have been selected by your instructor).

Q2. The LockDown Browser screen just stopped responding while I was in my exam - it wouldn't allow me to save my answers or move on to other questions. Why did this occur?
A2. If you lose your Internet connection during the exam, it will also lock up the browser - this most often is caused by using a wireless Internet connection or mobile hotspot connection which are more prone to drops / interruptions. If at all possible, always use a direct Ethernet connection for exams as these provide the most stable, consistent connections. If you use a router, plug in your laptop via cable to reduce the chance of interruptions. If a wireless connection must be used, get as close to the wireless connection as possible while taking the exam to improve connectivity.

Q3. I would like to change the font size of the text. Can I do this within LockDown Browser?
A3. Click the Information-Settings icon that appears in the upper left (the i button). Look for Set Font Size and choose the setting from the drop-down box. Click Apply.

Q4. I'm really confused, it looks like I'm being prompted for a password, but my instructor didn't give me it, but I'm also seeing a notice that this assessment requires Respondus LockDown Browser. What do I do?

A4. If you see the above screen it means you are attempting to access the exam using a standard browser (IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc.) rather than using the LockDown Browser environment. Ensure that you are clicking on the LockDown Browser icon from your desktop or in the installed programs list to launch it and try to access the exam again. LockDown Browser is a separate web browser that must be launched and used for exams. Refer to the above section entitled Using LockDown Browser.

Q5. My instructor allows us to use notes, external resources, etc. while taking an online exam. Most of these resources are in an online or digital format. Will LockDown Browser prevent me from using these on the same computer during exam completion?
A5. It depends. Instructors can allow for the use of digital materials if they have set up these items up as exceptions in LockDown Browser. This will allow students to access / view another specific web domain or use an online calculator while taking the exam. Another option is if the notes or outside resources have been included as web links within the exam, LockDown Browser will open the links in a new, locked window and you will be able to access the content on the new page.

Q6. What do I do once I've submitted my exam with LockDown Browser?
A6. Once you see a notification that the exam has successfully been completed, close that window, then log out of Blackboard and exit LockDown Browser. It should only be used for accessing and taking required exams and / or viewing the exam results. Use your standard browser for all other course activities.

Q7. Is it possible to exit the exam if a problem or emergency arises (e.g. family situation, Internet connection failure)?
A7. Provided the default exam settings have not been modified, when you close the browser, you will be prompted to enter a reason for leaving the exam early. Keep in mind this option should be used only in rare cases and your instructor will be notified of the date / time you entered and exited the exam as well as the reason provided for leaving the exam. If only one attempt is permitted for the exam, it will still be necessary to contact your instructor to ask if they will reset the exam attempt.

Q8. I have to take an exam on my Mac. Is there a way to test my camera before I enter the exam?
A8. Yes, there is a way to test your camera before entering the exam on your Mac. Visit the site http://www.respondus.com/webcamtest/ to test your camera.