LockDown Browser Overview
Respondus LockDown Browser is a software proctoring application used for online exams that restricts students from accessing websites and applications. Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor is an included feature that you can enable. Respondus Monitor will record and analyze a student's webcam to detect cheating.
SVSU ITS recommends to use Lanschool when teaching in a classroom.
Respondus Live Webinars
Instructors who are new to Respondus LockDown Browser or need a refresher can register for a webinar* please visit web.respondus.com/webinars/.
*The latest features and enhancements are included in these webinars.
Respondus Computer Installation Requirements
Respondus LockDown Browser is a client application installed on the local computer. Read the installation requirements for Respondus LockDown Browser.
Respondus Instructor Resources
Respondus - Getting Started FAQs
How do I let students know my course is using LockDown Browser? We recommend adding information to your Syllabus explaining that they'll be required to use the LockDown Browser (and a webcam if also using Respondus Monitor) for their online tests.
Sample Wording for your Syllabus
This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam (if using Respondus Monitor) for online exams. The webcam can be an internal or external webcam. Note: If you are off SVSU's campus, make sure that you have a reliable Internet connection.
The Respondus Monitor Webcam does not identify you in any way, it is simply looking for a face in the video frame during an exam. Read this guide Respondus Monitor's Data Privacy Overview for a list of what the software does and does not do.
There will be a practice test with LockDown Browser available so that you can download the software, update to the newest version, and ensure that there will be no technical difficulties during a actual exam. Please read and share the Respondus Lockdown Browser - Student Guide.
More Getting Started FAQs
See below, click on the question to view the instructions.
How do I enable a quiz to require Respondus LockDown Browser?
Follow the steps below to enable LockDown Browser in a quiz/exam:
- Open your course in Canvas
- Click on the "LockDown Browser" tool in Global Navigation (blue bar) on the left.
- Locate the quiz you want to enable LockDown Browser.
- Click on the small drop-down arrow to the left of the Quiz name and click Settings.
- Select "Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam."
- Click "Save + Close"
How do I create a practice quiz for students and require Respondus LockDown Browser?
It is highly recommended that you give your students a practice quiz using the Lock Down Browser to ensure that it is working correctly for the students on their device. Please Note: Leave the practice quiz available for entire semester, with unlimited attempts, so students can check their setup from a different device if needed.
In the Quiz settings follow these steps:
- Ensure the Quiz type is "Practice Quiz."
- In Options select "Allow Multiple Attempts". Doing this will give students ample opportunity in accessing it again should any technical issues arise.
How do I allow students to view quiz results that require Respondus LockDown Browser?
There are several options available in the LockDown Browser Dashboard, depending on how you want students to receive feedback or not.
- Locate the quiz on the LockDown Browser Dashboard, open the settings for the quiz and select Advanced Settings. Check the box "Require LockDown Browser to view post-exam feedback and results."
- LockDown Browser Dashboard: If you check the box "Require LockDown Browser to view post-exam feedback and results." Students must be in LockDown Browser to see results.
- LockDown Browser Dashboard: If you uncheck the box on the LockDown Browser Dashboard, "Require LockDown Browser to view post-exam feedback and results." Then, in the Canvas quiz settings check the box "Let students see their quiz responses(Incorrect Questions will be marked in Student Feedback)" the results will be seen in Canvas. If you uncheck the box "Let students see their quiz responses(Incorrect Questions will be marked in Student Feedback)" students will not see results in Canvas or LockDown Browser.
Please note: If the box is checked "Only Once After Each Attempt" and you are requiring Respondus LockDown Browser to view feedback and results students will not be able to view the quiz results. We suggest using the setting "Let Students See The Correct Answers" and show/hide dates of availability.
Can I allow students to take a quiz using an iPad with Respondus LockDown Browser?
Yes, Respondus does have a LockDown Browser app for iPad available so students can take exams on an iPad.
- LockDown Browser: For exams that are only using LockDown Browser the iPad is automatically enabled so students can take exams.
- LockDown Browser + Monitor: The instructor must an enable an optional iPad setting this must be enabled in the Proctoring section via Advanced Settings.
Read this article: Can an iPad be used with Respondus Monitor? (instructions for faculty) – Respondus Support
Can students take the exam using a Chromebook with Respondus LockDown Browser?
Yes, a Chromebook extension is available for download. The Chromebook setting for LockDown Browser is enabled automatically. Students must use the Lockdown Browser link from within Canvas, they will NOT be able to search for the app from the Chrome web store.
Access a list of Chromebook Help Articles by Respondus Support
Where can Instructors download Respondus LockDown Browser?
- University machine (Windows only): Faculty MUST download from the Software Center (PC) or SVSU Mac Self Service (Mac).
- Personal machine: You MUST download from within Canvas (Onetime download and install) before you take the exam.
Respondus Accessibility FAQs
Instructors you can add additional time to the quiz (if needed) read how to moderate the quiz. You can moderate the quiz for each student in your course.
Read Accessibility FAQs (below)
Click the question(s) below to read the solution.
Does Respondus LockDown Browser allow for accessibility?
Yes, Respondus LockDown Browser conforms to WCAG 2.0 and does not block screen readers. Respondus works with NVDA, JAWS, and MS-Windows Narrator (Windows) and Voiceover (Mac OS). The functions of LockDown Browser and security remain. Learn more about Respondus Accessibility.
How do I disable Respondus LockDown Browser on a quiz for accessibility?
You can allow individual students with documented disability to take a Canvas quiz without the Respondus LockDown Browser requirement and keep it for the rest of the class. We recommend creating a duplicate quiz of the same quiz you are giving to the rest of your students.
Step 1. Duplicate a Quiz Within a Canvas Course
- Go to Quizzes in your Canvas course, select options menu (three vertical dots)
- Choose Copy To… from the dropdown menu and search for the course that you want to copy your duplicated quiz to.
- Click Copy to duplicate the quiz, (it may take 1-2 minutes). Refresh your screen.
- Rename the copied quiz - Accessible Quiz: Chapter 1 etc. See article on How to copy a quiz to another course.
Step 2: Disable Respondus LockDown Browser for Accessibility
- Click the LockDown Browser tab (left menu)
- Click Continue to LockDown Browser
- On the LockDown Browser Dashboard locate the duplicated quiz.
- Expand the chevron, click Settings and select “Don't require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam”.
- Click Save + Close (your quiz is saved with LockDown Browser disabled).
Step 3: Assign the quiz without LockDown Browser to the Individual Student(s)
- Return to Quizzes to edit the quiz (pencil icon) not using LockDown Browser scroll to the Assign section.
- Change Everyone to the individual student's name. Repeat if you have more than 1 student that need LockDown Browser disabled. (For the quiz that you are requiring to use Respondus LDB, we would recommend editing to not include Everyone in the Assign section.) See article on How to assign a quiz to an individual student.
- You would have two columns in your Gradebook.
Screen Recording in Respondus Monitor
Screen Recording with Respondus Monitor Guide
- Students must have the latest version of LockDown Browser version otherwise they cannot access the exam.
- Instructors can enable the screen recording option (per exam) when they are using LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor for exams.
- The screen recording should appear below the webcam video for the exam session.
- Available for PC/Mac and Chromebook.
Read this article: How does the screen recording option in Respondus Monitor work?