Respondus LockDown Browser (Faculty)

The RespondusLockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the security of online testing in Blackboard.  When using the RespondusLockDown Browser to take a Blackboard exam, users are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, access other applications, or close an exam until submitting it for grading.  Tests enabled to require the RespondusLockDown Browser are not accessible using any other browser.  Additionally, tests are shown full-screen and cannot minimized or resized; all printing, keystroke combinations, screen grab/capture, function keys and right-click menus are disabled; links to other web servers contained in the exam open in a new, secure window and prevent browsing beyond that page; and the Start button (Windows), system tray, and menu bars are removed.

Respondus Monitor is an add-on feature for LockDown Browser that enables students to use a webcam to record themselves during a non-proctored exam. Our institution is participating in a beta program for Respondus Monitor which permits the use of it in JSU courses. PLEASE DO NOT ENABLE THE MONITOR FEATURE ON EXAMS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE JSU OFFICE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION ABOUT THE USE OF THIS FEATURE.

The RespondusLockDown Browser link is located in the Course Tools section of the Control Panel. 

To change the RespondusLockDown Browser settings for a test:

Step 1. Click the drop-down menu next to the name of the test and select Modify Settings.

Note:  The RespondusLockDown Browser may also be enabled for surveys.  Only deployed tests or surveys will be listed on this screen.

Step 2. Select the desired option:

• Require RespondusLockDown Browser for this exam
• Don’t require RespondusLockDown Browser for this exam

Step 3. Optional:Enter a Password to access exam in the box.

Note:  If a test password is entered, it will not be displayed if you return to this screen.  To clear a test password, leave the field blank and click the Save and Close button.  Do not confuse this test password box with the Password box in the Test Availability settings that are selected at the time of deployment.  When the RespondusLockDown Browser is enabled for a test, a special password is published to the Password box in the Test Availability settings. This special password, which is used by the RespondusLockDown Browser, should NOT be edited by the instructor (doing so will disable the RespondusLockDown Browser for the test).  This special password should NOT be given to students or proctors.  If the instructor wants students or proctors to enter a password before a test is begun in Blackboard, the password must be entered on the same page where the RespondusLockDown Browser is enabled.  Additionally, instructors should not change the name of the test within Blackboard once it has been set to enable the RespondusLockDown Browser.

Step 4. Optional: Enter a Password to close browser and exit exam early in the box.

Note: This exit password can be provided to a student for closing the browser during a test if a technical issue is encountered. It is recommended that instructors use caution when informing students as to the existence of this password and when providing it to students for use in exiting a test prematurely. For more information about the exit password, please contact the Office of Distance Education.

Step 5. Click the Save and Close button.

To install the RespondusLockDown Browser:

Note:  Alternatively, several labs on the JSU campus have RespondusLockDown Browser installed.  This listing is subject to change as additional departments request installation of the browser in their labs:  106, 215, and 220 Merrill Building; 357, 259, and 361 Ayers Hall; 10th floor lab and 37 OPAC floor machines at Houston Cole Library; Multimedia Instructional Laboratory in Ramona Wood. 

Windows computers:

1. Navigate to http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=377332937.
2. During the installation, select “Yes” if prompted to accept programs from Macrovision and Respondus.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the install.
   
   TIP: For additional assistance, please visit http://newsletter.respondus.com/december-2011/lockdown-browser-student-install/ to view a video illustrating the installation process.

Macintosh computers:

1. Be sure that OSX 10.4 or higher is being used (512K RAM minimum).
2. Navigate to http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=377332937.
3. During the installation, select “Yes” when prompted to run the Java application.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the install.
   
   TIP: For additional assistance, please visit http://newsletter.respondus.com/december-2011/lockdown-browser-student-install/ to view a video illustrating the installation process.

To preview a test:

1. Locate the “LockDown Browser” shortcut on the desktop and double-click it.  (For Macintosh users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder.)
2. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging, some email programs) choose “Yes”.  In some instances when blocked programs are closed, you may have to re-launch the LockDown Browser.
3. Login to Blackboard with your username and password.
4. Navigate to the appropriate course.
5. Navigate to the test and select it.
6. A pop-up window will ask whether the instructor has required a password for the test.
7. If a test password is required to start the test, select the Yes option, enter the password, and click the Continue button.
8. If the test has no password, select the No option.  Click the Continue button.
9. Regardless of the selection made in the previous step, RespondusLockDown Browser will automatically fill in a special password on the next screen.  It is essential that this password field is not modified.  Click the Submit button.
10. The test will then start.  Please note that once a test has been started with RespondusLockDown Browser, you cannot exit the test until the Submit button is clicked.
11. Completing the test using RespondusLockDown Browser is exactly the same as completing a test in Blackboard without the RespondusLockDown Browser.  

To hide the RespondusLockDown Browser tool from student view:

Note: Hiding the RespondusLockDown Browser tool from student view is recommended to minimize student confusion about downloading, installing, and using the RespondusLockDown Browser.

1. Verify that Edit Mode is ON.
   
   Note: If Edit Mode is OFF, click the Edit Mode OFF button to turn ON.
   
2. Click the Tools menu option in the Course Menu.
3. Locate the RespondusLockDown Browser tool.
4. Click the Hide Link button.

Other Information
 
Error checking:

The RespondusLockDown Browser has built in error checking to alert instructors when test settings have been modified to change the test name, the password, or the setting to open the test in new window. Any of these changes can cause the integration for RespondusLockDown Browser to malfunction (allowing students to access the test using browsers other than the LockDown Browser). If an instructor makes one of these changes, error checking will detect the change and display an Error status for the test in the LockDown Browser column. Click the Fix Itbutton to correct the problem.

Note: Instructors should look for and resolve errors at the beginning of each term by accessing the RespondusLockDown Browser course tool.

Student access to the LockDown Browser:

If a student attempts to use any browser other than the RespondusLockDown Browser to take a test the student will see the error shown below which reads as follows: “This assessment requires that you use RespondusLockDown Browser.  Start RespondusLockDown Browser and navigate back to this assessment to continue.”

The RespondusLockDown Browser continues to protect the integrity of your test even after the test has been completed.  If a student accesses My Grades and attempts to review a test submission using any browser other than the RespondusLockDown Browser the student will see the error shown below which reads as follows:  “You cannot review the assessment results without using RespondusLockDown Browser.  Start RespondusLockDown Browser and navigate back to this point to continue.”

• Respondus Lock Down Browser setup
• Respondus LockDown Browser (Student Edition)