Respondus: LockDown BrowserTM for Assessments

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that deters cheating by denying students access to other websites, applications, and tools while they complete online assessments.

When LockDown Browser is enabled for an assessment

  • the assessment cannot be accessed with other browsers.

  • the assessment is displayed in full screen mode and cannot be minimized.

  • browser menu and toolbar options are removed except for Back, Forward, Refresh, and Stop.

  • access to messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machine, and remote desktop applications is blocked.

  • print and screen capture functions are disabled.

  • copying and pasting content to or from the assessment is prohibited.

  • right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts, and task switching are disabled.

  • students cannot exit the assessment without submitting it for grading.

Student experience

Students must have LockDown Browser installed before they can access the questions on their assessment.

If your school requires administrator level privileges to install applications on student computers, an administrator can access the installation files in Academics, Grades, Grading setup, Assignment settings.

  1. Student opens the assessment and the introduction page indicates that LockDown Browser is required.

  2. Student selects Install LockDown Browser, chooses the appropriate Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS install file to download for their computer, then completes the install.

    Note: If a student selects Begin test and attempts to start the assessment without installing LockDown Browser, they will encounter an error indicating they need to install the browser before they can proceed.

  3. The download page detects the student's operating system and the student selects Install Now. If LockDown Browser is already installed, the student can select Test LockDown Browser to open the browser and confirm it is working.

    Note: LockDown Browser only needs to be installed once on a computer or device.

  4. When they're ready to take the assessment, the student selects Begin test to launch LockDown Browser where they can complete and submit their assessment.

  5. Once the assessment is submitted, the student selects Close to exit LockDown Browser.

  6. If a student opens a submitted assessment to review their results page, the results page opens in LockDown Browser.

Faculty experience

  1. In Faculty,

    Select  My Day, then Assignment Center.

    OR

    Select Classes, choose a class, then select Assignments.

  2. In list view of the Assignment Center or class Assignments tab, select +Add, then Assessment. In calendar view, select +Assessment.

  3. Under Details, select Enable lockdown browser.

    Note: Allow students to resume independently is disabled when Enable lockdown browser is selected.

For more information on creating an assessment, see Assessments Guide.

  1. In Faculty,

    Select  My Day, then Assignment Center.

    OR

    Select Classes, choose a class, then select Assignments.

  2. In list view of the Assignment Center or class Assignments tab, select the context menu next to the assessment, then Edit, and then select Edit details. In calendar view, select the assessment tile (not the assessment name).

  3. Under Details, select Enable lockdown browser.

    Note: Allow students to resume independently is disabled when Enable lockdown browser is selected.