Respondus LockDown Browser (for Instructors)

Syracuse University has licensed Respondus Lockdown Browser. The software is designed to secure online exams in classrooms or proctored environments by preventing students from accessing unapproved websites and software on their test-taking computer.

How LockDown Browser Works

Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized.
Browser menu and toolbar options are removed, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop.
Other applications including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops are blocked.
Printing and screen capture functions are disabled.
Copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment is prevented.
Right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts, and task switching are disabled.
An assessment cannot be exited until the student submits it for grading.
Assessments that are set up for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers.

Here is a brief introductory video that shows how LockDown Browser works from the student perspective.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WcHuYw488nM?rel=0&autoplay=1

Setting up Respondus LockDown Browser

The following video demonstrates how to setup LDB.

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2707131/sp/270713100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/45992501/partner_id/2707131?iframeembed=true&playerId=kplayer&entry_id=1_qbuvp840&flashvars[streamerType]=auto%22

Respondus has a number of resources for instructor to configure LockDown Browser. Here are some highlights:

Check all questions and links in the exam to ensure that they are all functioning properly.
Configure the settings in Blackboard to display one question at a time. This setting can mitigate potential issues such as slowdowns that may occur when multiple questions are loaded simultaneously.
If using the spreadsheet tool during the exam, embed the spreadsheet directly into the question using the file attachment option. Supported file types are .xls/.xlsx; CSV files are not supported.
Have your students test and install LDB before exam day from within Blackboard or directly from Respondus.

Your students will need to download and install Respondus LDB in advance. We recommended running a practice exam prior to test day.

During the practice test, if students try to start the test with a different browser (e.g. Chrome or Firefox), they will be prompted to install LDB. After the installation, LDB will launch and students will be able to start their practice test.

Student Recommendations

Please refer students to the page created specifically to help them prepare and take the exam.

Reviewing Early Exam Exits

If you allow, students can exit the exam early by clicking the red "x" in the upper left corner after providing a reason. You can view early exits in the Respondus dashboard by clicking the arrow next to the exam name and selecting "Review early exits." This option appears if at least one student exited early.

After selecting "Review early exits," you can see the student's name, date/time, and reason for exiting the exam.

Review early exits option in Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard.