What is Respondus LockDown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the security of online testing in eLearning. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser to access a quiz, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, access other applications, or close a quiz until it is submitted for grading.

Respondus LockDown Browser works much like a standard browser, but some options have been removed or work differently. This list below details some of these differences:

1. Modified Toolbar - the condensed toolbar includes only Forward, Back, Refresh and Stop functions.
   
   
2. Assessment Mode - assessments are shown full-screen and cannot be minimized, resized, or exited until submitted for grading.
   
   
3. Disabled Controls - all printing, keystroke combinations, screen grab, function keys, and right-click menus have been disabled.
   
   
4. Links - links to other web servers do not compromise the secure testing environment.
   
   
5. Blocked Features & Applications - the Start button (Windows), system tray, and menu bars have been removed. Hundreds of screen capture, messaging, screen-sharing and network monitoring applications are blocked.

Cheating Scenarios Addressed by Respondus

• No print screen capabilities
  
  
• No use of right mouse click (copy & paste)
  
  
• No alt-tab to different screen
  
  
• No use of web links once quiz started
  
  
• No use of basic chat programs
  
  
• No use of remote desktop or VPN for toggling between quiz and answers
  
  
• NOTE: Switching users in Vista treats the quiz attempt the same as a power outage and the person is able to get back in with instructor assistance.
• This is not a bug…this is necessary to accommodate for actual loss of power or connectivity by the student.
• This can be addressed with a test bank and a random quiz. The instructor would delete the first attempt and give the student a new quiz.

Preparing a Quiz for Lock Down Browser

In eLearning (D2L) you must follow these steps to enable the “Require Respondus LockDown Browser” setting for the quiz:

1. Using a standard web browser, log into Desire2Learn as an instructor.
   
   
2. Select “Quizzes”.
   
   
3. Identify the quiz and select the link to edit the settings.
   
   
4. Select the “Restrictions” tab.
   
   
5. Under the “Security Options” section select the checkbox that requires the Respondus LockDown Browser for the quiz:
   
   

6. Optionally you can restrict viewing the quiz feedback and results with the LockDown Browser.



7. Click “Save Quiz”.

WHAT THE STUDENT MUST DO:

Install the Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser must be installed on each computer being used to take a quiz. Respondus LockDown Browser is also available in the SAIL, CyberLounge, and other UWF computer labs.your students will have to do the following:

Windows:

1. Make sure you have a recent version of Internet Explorer installed on your computer.
2. Click the link above to begin download, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Administrator rights are required to install the software.

Macintosh:

1. Make sure that OS X 10.3.9 or higher is being used (512K RAM minimum).
2. Click the link above to begin download, and then follow the on-screen instructions. During installation, select Yes when prompted to run the Java application.

Taking a Quiz

1. Close all programs, except those that are used to connect to the Internet.
2. Locate the “LockDown Browser” shortcut on the desktop and double-click it (Macintosh users: launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder).
3. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging), choose Yes when prompted.
4. Log into eLearning with your ArgoNet username and password.
5. Open your eLearning course. You may have to click the plus sign to expand your college and semester to view your courses.
6. Navigate to your quiz and begin. (If the Start Quiz! link is not available, it means that you are not running the Respondus LockDown Browser.)
7. Once you have started the quiz in Respondus LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the Submit Quiz button is clicked.

Student Frequently Asked Questions

I rebooted my computer while Respondus LockDown Browser was running. Now the Windows Task Manager is grayed out and can’t be used. What do I do?

If a computer is powered down while Respondus LockDown Browser is running, the Windows Task Manager will continue to be blocked when the computer is restarted. To remove the blocking, restart Respondus LockDown Browser and exit the program properly (click the "X" in the top right corner).

When I start LDB a warning message states “You must close the following programs before starting the browser: [program name]”.

Over 300 applications, such as screen capture and chat programs, are "blacklisted." This means that you cannot start Respondus LockDown Browser until the blocked application is exited. When this warning message appears, Respondus LockDown Browser will offer to close the blacklisted program for you, which is the easiest way to continue.