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Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor

Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor

Determining Whether to Use Respondus

If you determine that remote proctoring is required to assess student learning in your course, the Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor tools provide a method for securing online exams. This document provides an overview of the features of Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, along with a step-by-step guide for how to activate these systems for your assessments in D2L. It also includes a quick start guide for students on taking a test with Respondus LockDown Browser and/or Monitor enabled.

What You Should Consider Before Using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

Before choosing to use Respondus tools, you will want to:

  • UPDATED 09/23/2020: Once enabled, students are required to use the Respondus Lockdown Browser and, optionally, Monitor, unless an instructor specifically grants an exemption through Special Access under the Restrictions tab when editing quiz settings.
  • Assess whether all of your students have access to a functioning webcam: Instructors planning to use the LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor should confirm that each student has a working webcam. Without a webcam, Respondus Monitor settings will not function, and students will be unable to access or complete any assessment with Monitor settings enabled.
  • Consider creating a practice assessment for students to test the Respondus systems: Creating a practice quiz with LockDown Browser and/or Monitor settings enabled provides students the opportunity to download the software ahead of time and familiarize themselves with what to expect on exam day. It also helps both you and your students identify any potential issues with the system. Consider setting up a short quiz, perhaps with one or two fun questions, to give students a chance to experience how the software works.
  • Consider accessibility and assistive technology needs for your students: Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor have certain limitations regarding accessibility and compatibility with assistive technology. Before deciding to use these tools, please take into account the accessibility needs of your students. More details on these limitations can be found in the "Accessibility Considerations" section below.

Accessibility Considerations

Respondus Lockdown Browser has limitations when it comes to accessibility and being accessed with assistive technology:

  • Screen Reader Technology: The Mac version will work with VoiceOver (standard screen reader that comes with Mac OS). For Windows, students must have the most current version of LockDown Browser. If it is the most current version, then NVDA, JAWS, Narrator, ReadSpeaker webReader, and Windows-Eyes screen readers should work. NVDA is proven to provide the best screen reader experience and can be downloaded for free at: https://www.nvaccess.org/
  • The security level of LockDown Browser is lowered when screen readers are being used.
  • Screen Magnification: Zoom Text will work with LockDown browser to enlarge and increase the text size, but LockDown browser is NOT compatible with the reader functions in Zoom Text.
  • Text-to-Speech: Students who need to utilize reading technology, text-to-speech such as Kurzweil 3000, will NOT be able to use LockDown Browser. LockDown Browser is NOT compatible with any text-to-speech tools.
  • Respondus Monitor raises concerns for students with visual or mobility disabilities, as they may not be able to accurately show an ID to the webcam in order to pass certain checkpoints.

Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor are a custom browser and an automated proctoring tool that locks down the testing environment within D2L. Note that these are two separate, but integrated tools with a range of monitoring functions. Instructors at Michigan State University may use Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Monitor to assist with the administration of online assessments. Descriptions of these tools and their distinctions are provided below:

Respondus LockDown Browser
LockDown Browser® is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within D2L, preventing students from using outside resources. It can be used independently of Respondus Monitor.

Respondus Monitor
Respondus Monitor® builds upon the power of LockDown Browser, using a student's webcam and video analytics to monitor their test during non-proctored exams. You must have enabled LockDown Browser for your assessment in order to enable Monitor features.

You use LockDown Browser when you need to ensure students do not use outside or online resources on their computer while taking a test..

  • Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized or exited until the student submits it for grading
  • Removes the web browser menu and toolbar options, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop
  • Prevents access to other applications including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops
  • Disables printing and screen capture functions
  • Prevents copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment
  • Disables right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts and task-switching
  • Assessments that are set up for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers

You can use Respondus Monitor in conjunction with Respondus LockDown Browser when you want to have your students monitored using their webcams during their exam.

  • Uses a student's webcam to record and analyze student exam sessions
  • It can require students to show ID, do an Environment Check, and/or facial detection before and during the exam
  • Exams can be taken without advanced scheduling and without additional registration by the student
  • Flag instances of behaviors such as a student leaving the room, someone entering the room, and looking down at a book or a table, for the instructor to review. Once the exam session is complete, instructors are able to view flagged segments.

Limitations for Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

Remote Exam Proctoring Solutions at MSU