Respondus Lockdown Browser: Preparing for Midterm Season

What is the Respondus Lockdown Browser?

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system. The purpose of the Lockdown Browser is to lock down student computers to uphold academic integrity while taking a test in Blackboard. You can learn more about Respondus Lockdown Browser here!

What are some tips I should follow when using the Respondus Lockdown Browser?

Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Please provide a mock test before the real exam. This gives an opportunity for you and your students to become familiar with the software (also see how to install Respondus Lockdown browser) and resolve any issues that may arise before the real exam.
   • If an issue arises during this practice test or during your actual test, the Innovative Learning Support Centre may be able to help you and your students if they need support. Please also consider submitting a support request with Respondus by accessing this link.
2. Please ask students to check if their devices satisfy the minimum requirements outlined here.
   • If students are using a Chromebook, please ask them to do the following:
     1. clear browser cache.
     2. enable pop-up window.
     3. close the browser, and re-open to start the test after installation of the Respondus software.
3. Students can access external links, files, audio, video, spreadsheets, and calculators if needed; please follow the instructions on how to allow students to access these features if needed for your test here.
4. If you experience any issues using the Respondus Lockdown Browser, before you submit a ticket, please capture a screen recording so that the Innovative Learning Support Centre or the Respondus Support team understands the situation and the context in which it happened. Thank you!

Are there any issues I should know about when using Respondus Lockdown Browser?

There are a few known behaviors that might interrupt your Respondus-enabled test from working well, so please review the points below;

1. If any course content names (like the names of modules, folders, assignments, tests, discussions, etc.) include special characters (icons, photos, emoticons, etc.), Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard will fail to open. Please ensure that the names of your course content do not have these characters.
2. If students are experiencing an issue accessing a Respondus test after you copied it from a previous course, please follow these instructions:
   • After copying the exam using the “Copy Items” option to transfer content from the previous course, the instructor must go into the new course, access each of the exam settings, and select the Respondus LockDown Browser option. This will redirect them to the Respondus settings page; without completing this step, students will not be able to take the exams in the new course.
3. Recently, there have been some issues with students using MacOS opening spreadsheets within Respondus-enabled tests, as well as some issues with accessing the calculator in calculator-enabled tests; consider running a short practice test to ensure your students will be able to use all of the necessary features within your test, including the spreadsheet, calculators, and any other additional links or files, too.

Need support? The Innovative Learning Support Centre is here to help!