Respondus

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Respondus LockDown Browser® and Respondus Monitor

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system.

Respondus Monitor is an online proctoring tool purchased by the University for proctoring exams.

Download Respondus for Home/Personal PCs

Download and install LockDown Browser from this link, only for personal/non-WPU computers:

Install Respondus on a WPU Computer

Please enter a ticket at www.wpunj.edu/helpdesk and create a ticket under the Software category to request Respondus to be installed onto your WPU Computer. All installations of Respondus must be issued by the WPU IT Department.

Resources

https://web.respondus.com/he/lockdownbrowser/resources/

https://web.respondus.com/he/monitor/resources/

Technical Support

Visit the Respondus Support site (https://web.respondus.com/support/) for technical questions or to submit a ticket.

Students have access to live chat for support during exams.

System Requirements for LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor

Operating Systems

  • Windows: 11, 10, and 8. Details
  • Mac: macOS 10.13 to 12.0+
  • iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration. Details
  • Chromebook: Details

Memory

  • Windows: 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)
  • Mac: 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)

Hard Disk Space

  • Windows: 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive
  • Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive

Browser Requirements

LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. Both the Windows edition and the Mac edition of the browser are based on Chromium, Google's open source framework. Students do NOT need Google's Chrome browser installed; nor will this version affect a Chrome browser that's already installed.

Student Guides

Before the Test

  • Follow the link below to install LockDown Browser on the computer you will be using for testing.
  • Prepare for the test at least 10-15 minutes before taking the test. Login to Blackboard and follow the rest of the steps in this short guide.
  • Plug in your laptop to the charger.
  • Sit close to your router if possible for faster speeds. Avoid being several rooms away from your router.
  • Run a google speed test to see how fast your internet is. Click Run Speed Test to see how fast your internet is. Ideally your wifi would be about 100 MBPS up/100 MBPS down.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students

What do I need to know before taking my exam? Ensure your computer is charged and has a strong internet connection. We recommend students take their exam in a quiet private location to limit potential flags and distractions.

Why do I need a photo ID? What forms of ID are acceptable? We verify the photo and name on your ID to ensure you are the correct test taker. You can use any government issued (i.e. driver license, passport) or a student ID that has your photo.

What equipment is needed? You will need to have a working webcam, microphone, and either a laptop or desktop computer. Integrated or external USB will both work.

How is my privacy protected? Respondus is FERPA compliant and uses securely encrypted protocols to save and view all test taker assets.

Does Respondus determine who is cheating? No. Respondus simply reports back possible incidents. Ultimately, your instructor determines if cheating occurred by viewing the video recording

How can I get support if something goes wrong during an exam? Respondus has a 24/7 live chat feature accessible to you throughout testing. Reach out to them for help with any technical issues during an exam.

Instructor Guides

Recommended Syllabus Language

The sample text below can be used in your course or syllabus. It explains that students must use LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor for their online tests.


Using LockDown Browser and a Webcam for Online Exams


This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. Watch this short video (https://web.respondus.com/lockdownbrowser-student-video/) to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available. (https://web.respondus.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/RLDB-Quick-Start-Guide-Bb-Student.pdf)


Then download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

To ensure LockDown Browser and the webcam are set up properly, do the following:

  • Start LockDown Browser, log into Blackboard, and select this course.
  • Locate and select the Help Center button on the LockDown Browser toolbar.
  • Run the Webcam Check and, if necessary, resolve any issues.
  • Run the System & Network Check. If a problem is indicated, see if a solution is provided in the Knowledge Base. Troubleshooting information can also be emailed to our institution's help desk.
  • Exit the Help Center and locate the practice quiz named [NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: CREATE A BRIEF PRACTICE QUIZ AND INSERT NAME OF QUIZ HERE; IF NECESSARY, INCLUDE LOCATION OF QUIZ].
  • Upon completing and submitting the practice quiz, exit LockDown Browser.


When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

  • Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted
  • Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach
  • Clear your desk of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices
  • Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it
  • Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
  • If the computer or networking environment is different than what was used previously with the Webcam Check and System & Network Check in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to starting the test
  • To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
    • Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims
    • Ensure your computer or tablet is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surface where the device (or you) are likely to move
    • If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
    • Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window


Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

Chromebook Tips and Support

A "stall" or "freeze" at the Blackboard Learn "Enter Password: {test_name}" web page is commonly due to a corrupted or incorrect navigation to begin the exam.

It can also occur if the instructor did not check the LockDown Browser Dashboard prior to students started writing the exam.

Prior to the exam, we recommend students do a power down restart of the computer then close down any apps that re-opened at login. Establish a wired Ethernet connection if feasible, otherwise try to be as close as possible to the wireless access point or router.

In general, for Blackboard Learn with "manual launch", it is important for students to close all standard browsers, start LockDown Browser only, log into Blackboard Learn, *wait* until the Blackboard Learn home page fully loads (no spinning circle in the browser tab), navigate to the course, *wait* until the course home page fully loads (no spinning circle in the browser tab), then go to the content area to start the direct link to the exam with "-Requires Respondus LockDown Browser" in the test title. Students should not use any "shortcut" or "notifications link" in the Blackboard Learn home page or course home page.

It is important for students with Chromebooks to close down all other apps and browser sessions, start only the Chrome browser with only one browser tab, log into Blackboard Learn, *wait* until the Blackboard Learn home page fully loads, navigate to the course, *wait* until the course home page fully loads, then go to the content area to start the direct link to the exam with "-Requires Respondus LockDown Browser" in the test title. Students should not use any "shortcut" or "notifications link" in the Blackboard Learn home page or course home page.

If the deadline for an exam is near, the student should locate another computer, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, with LockDown Browser, possibly on an alternate network. There is also LockDown Browser for iPad, if allowed by the instructor.


Require a Practice Exam

Ensure your first exam using Respondus Monitor runs smoothly! Have students take an ungraded practice quiz that requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam, before taking a graded exam.


Direct students to use the Help Center prior to their first exam. With LockDown Browser open, log into the course and select the Help Center button the toolbar. From there, run the Webcam Check and the System Check to make sure everything is working properly. If a problem is indicated, students can search for a solution in the Knowledge Base. Troubleshooting information can also be submitted as a ticket to the Center for Teaching with Technology thru a helpdesk ticket under Blackboard -> Respondus - Student.


Leave the practice quiz available for the duration of the course, with unlimited attempts, so students can check their setup from a different computer.

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