Respondus faculty FAQs
Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases exam security by limiting student movement while taking exams in WebCampus. When using LockDown Browser, students are prevented from visiting unauthorized websites or applications, printing, or copying material from the test. You can learn more about Respondus LockDown Browser by visiting the Respondus faculty resources page .
Respondus Monitor builds on the security features available in LockDown Browser, but also requires students to use a webcam to record themselves while taking the exam. Test recordings are reviewed for abnormalities by artificial intelligence, and reports of any abnormalities are provided to instructors.
Please see our Faculty Guides on LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor:
The following videos will walk through the steps of setting up an exam using Lockdown Browser or Respondus Monitor.
Please view this Respondus Introduction to LockDown Browser for Students video for more information.
Yes, it is possible to allow students to access specific websites. Instructors will need to add the allowed websites in the exam settings. Please see this Respondus Technical Support guide for more information: Accessing external web domains in LockDown Browser.
Yes, it is possible to allow students to access a calculator in the exam settings. Please see this Respondus Technical Support guide for more information: Can Students use a Calculator during a test that requires LockDown Browser?
While there is no whiteboard feature within the LockDown Browser, it is possible to link to an online whiteboard webpage. Instructors can add the online whiteboard URL to the allowed websites list in the exam settings. The link to the online whiteboard can be added in the exam instruction and/or questions so students can access the whiteboard from directly within the test. Web Whiteboard has worked well in different testing scenarios.
Yes, it is possible to allow students to access an eBook by adding the eBook URL to the allowed websites list in the exam settings. The link to the eBook can be added in the exam instruction and/or questions so students can access the eBook from directly within the test.
Students are able to view the file but they are unable to download, work within it, save, or submit. Students can only upload files that already exist on their computer before taking the exam.
PDFs and other file types can be made available to students within the test but they must first be uploaded into the Files tool within the WebCampus course and then added to the exam instructions and/or questions as course file links. See the Canvas guide, How do I link Course Content to a quiz question? for more information.
Yes, it is possible to allow students to access a spreadsheet in the exam. Please see this Respondus Technical Support guide for more information: Can spreadsheets be used with LockDown Browser?
You should plan to provide information about your proctored exams in multiple places throughout your course site:
- Syllabus: Students should be notified that they will be required to use Respondus products to take exams in your class in the syllabus. Respondus has provided sample wording that you can copy into your course and adjust as necessary on the following webpages: Respondus LockDown Resources and Respondus Monitor Resources
- Course Site: Students should also be made aware of the requirement to use Respondus products within the course site’s “Getting Started” or “Course Overview” modules or sections. Explain how the Respondus product will be used, how students will access the tool, and how it will affect their test taking experience can help students to better understand what they will be asked to do.
- Exam Description: It will also be helpful to provide Respondus information within your exam description, so the necessary details will be available to students as they prepare to take the test. The same wording that you provide in the syllabus can be used in the exam description.
Additionally, it might be helpful to remind students of the netiquette expectations for your class. Students should plan to be fully clothed and in a quiet place with no distractions for the duration of the exam session.
Yes! We recommend setting up an ungraded Practice Test that uses the same settings that will be required for the actual proctored exam, to give students the opportunity to test out the process and tools. You may want to set up this Practice Test with unlimited attempts so that students can access it as needed throughout the course (e.g., if they change devices from one test to the next).
If a test’s settings are set to require LockDown Browser, students will not be able to access the test if they are using any other browser. If students try to access the test from a non-LockDown Browser, they will be reminded to download or launch the LockDown Browser.
There is no official limit to the number of LockDown Browser or Monitor exams you can require in your online class. Please note that if you choose to incorporate a proctored exam as the Identity Verification Assessment in your course, you would need to use Respondus Monitor. LockDown Browser does not verify identity.
Yes, it is possible to use a demo student account to access a test using Respondus Monitor. Please see this Respondus Technical Support guide: Can instructors use a demo student account with Respondus Monitor?
On its own, no. To meet Student Identity Verification requirements through the use of a proctored exam, you must use Respondus Monitor. LockDown Browser does not verify identity. You can, however, verify identity through different means (project, presentation, etc.) and still use LockDown Browser to protect the integrity of your exams. Contact ODL to discuss options.