Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. Students are unable to copy, print, chat, or access any other applications or websites during an online exam. Respondus Monitor is an optional service enabled through LockDown Browser. Monitor uses webcam and video technology to allow students the opportunity to take quizzes or exams remotely.

UPDATE: A beta release of LockDown Browser for Chromebook is now available. See the section on "Chromebook Version for Canvas [beta]" below.

Note

Faculty must attend one of the daily webinars offered by Respondus before using the tool. Register for a Webinar.
Faculty must also add a short, no-stakes practice exam for students that uses LockDown Browser and Monitor before giving them a real live exam.

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How Respondus Works

LockDown Browser only works in conjunction with the Quizzes tool in Canvas. Instructors build a quiz (this can be anything from a final exam with multiple question types to a one question essay exam). Once the quiz has been built, instructors will go to Respondus Lockdown Browser in their course and enable the tool for that quiz. Students will download the custom browser to their computer and take the exam from there.

While LockDown Browser is ideal for exam proctoring in computer lab or classroom settings, Monitor allows students to take quizzes or exams remotely during a scheduled testing window. Through student webcam authentication and recording, suspicious behavior is flagged and videos are available in Canvas for faculty to review.

Using Lockdown Browser

Before you get started, review Respondus’ Online Instructor Resources (this includes information for your syllabus and a student overview video). Download the instructor and student quick start guides as well. This include information for your syllabus. We also recommend watching the Canvas overview and Preparing an exam videos.

Using Monitor

Monitor is used with LockDown Browser and allows students to take quizzes or exams remotely during a scheduled testing window. Through student webcam authentication and recording, suspicious behavior is flagged and videos are available in Canvas for faculty to review.

Before deploying Monitor, follow the above steps to add LockDown Browser to your course, and then review Respondus’ Online Instructor Resources for Lockdown Browser and Monitor (this includes information for your syllabus and a overview videos). You may also download the instructor and student quick start guides.

Using LockDown Browser with Zoom

If Respondus Monitor is not preferable, or students need the option to work out questions on scratch paper while still using LockDown Browser in a proctored scenario, there is an option to have students join a class Zoom meeting through their web browser (not the Zoom app) and remain in the meeting while taking the exam through LockDown Browser.

Please review these instructions for setting up the Zoom meeting (instructors) and joining Zoom via a web browser (students).

PLEASE NOTE: The "join from browser" option is not recommended for regular class sessions. Instructors are highly encouraged to update their Zoom settings after exams to disallow joining the meeting from the web browser.

NEW: Chromebook Version for Canvas [beta]

Instructors/Teachers

During the beta period, instructors will need to enable the use of the Chromebook version on a per exam basis.

Go to the LockDown Browser Dashboard within Canvas
Select “Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam”
Expand “Advanced Settings” and select “Allow students to use LockDown Browser for Chromebook (beta)”
Save the exam settings for LockDown Browser

Students

Log into the Chromebook start Google Chrome
Log into Canvas and navigate to the exam that requires LockDown Browser
Select the link for downloading and installing LockDown Browser
From the Chrome web store, select “Add to Chrome” to install the LockDown Browser Extension

NOTE: During the beta, this extension will only work with quizzes an instructor has enabled for use with LockDown Browser for Chromebook

The following Knowledgebase article provides additional information about the beta release of LockDown Browser for Chromebook, including feature limitations and known issues: https://support.respondus.com/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/586. This article will be updated periodically during the beta.

If you have technical questions, or would like to report bugs/issues, please open a support ticket at https://support.respondus.com. Be sure to indicate you are using LockDown Browser for Chromebook.

Support

Monitor offers support and connection testing options before a student begins an exam. For all other LockDown Browser or Monitor issues, please submit a ticket at: https://web.respondus.com/support/

If the size of text and images in the LockDown Browser is too small, students can change their computer's settings:

On Windows

Press Ctrl and + to zoom in (Ctrl and – zooms out)
Or
Click the small "i" at the top left of the LockDown Browser's toolbar. Adjust the Zoom Level in the options window that appears. Make sure to click "Apply" and then "OK"

On Mac

Press Command and + to zoom in (Command and – zooms out). Some older keyboards have an icon (⌘) instead of the word command