Respondus

• Repondus: Instructor Quick Start Guide
• Respondus: LockDown Browser
• Other Training and Support Resources

 

Repondus: Instructor Quick Start Guide

What is Respondus?

Respondus is a Windows-based authoring tool that makes it easy to create and manage exams for Canvas.

How to install Respondus?

1. Download “Respondus and LockDown Browser” and the activation information from UIS WebStore.
2. Double-click on “Respondus4Campus.exe” to start the installation process.
3. Once installed, start Respondus and enter the Institution Name and Activation Password.
4. On the “Choose a CMS system” dialog box, select Canvas from the CMS drop-down list.

The Start Menu

1. Personality – select the course management system being used with Respondus
2. Open – open an existing Respondus file
3. Create – create a new file
4. Exam Wizard – create a new exam by copying questions from other Respondus files
5. Import Questions – import questions from MS Word, Rich Text, QTI and other formats
6. Archive Wizard – create a zip archive of a Respondus file, including all pictures and media

Download a Publisher-Partner Test Bank

Over 2,000 publisher test banks are available in Respondus format (free to instructors who adopt a participating textbook).

1. (Instructors only) Open a browser and go to the Respondus Website.
2. Locate the area for the Respondus Test Bank Network.
3. Search for and select the textbook adopted for the course.
4. Submit the request form, including your textbook adoption information.
5. The publisher will email you a File Code and Password within 1-3 days.
6. When the File Code and Password is received, start Respondus and select the Open task.
7. Click the Download Test Bank button.
8. Enter the File Code and Password provided by the publisher and click the Download button.
9. The test bank will now appear in the Projects folder in Respondus.
10. From the Start menu, use the Exam Wizard to select questions from the test bank (this is described further below).

Importing Questions From Other Formats
Existing questions can be imported from other file formats, such as MS Word.

1. From the Start menu, select Import.
2. Select the Type of File being imported (MS Word, Rich Text, CSV).
3. Make sure that the file to be imported follows the formatting guidelines provided in the online help (very important).
4. Browse to and select the file being imported.
5. Preview the import results to check for errors, and then click Finish to complete the import.

Using the Exam Wizard
Use the Exam Wizard to create a new exam by copying questions from other Respondus files (such as publisher test banks).

1. From the Start menu, select the Exam Wizard.
2. Select the first option to create a new exam and copy questions to it. Click Next.
3. Enter a name and description for the new file. Click Next.
4. Select the Respondus “source’ files from where the exam questions will be copied. Click Next.
5. From the pull-down list, select one of the source files from the previous step.
6. Select either the Automatic Selection or Manual Selection option and then select questions from the source file.
7. Add the selected questions to the list in the lower section by selecting Add to End of List or Insert into List.
8. Repeat steps 5 to 7 until the desired questions are selected. Click Next.
9. The new file has been created. Choose from the options shown and click Finish.

Overview of the Edit Menu

1. Toolbar – provides tools for formatting a question or adding equations, images or media files
2. Question Types – click a tab to view the template for a question type
3. Question Template – the question wording and content are entered in a template
4. Preview – displays the question as it will appear in an online assessment
5. Copy from another file – a tool for copying questions from another Respondus file
6. Question List – lists the questions in the file; click on a question title to edit it.

Using the Edit Menu
Use the Edit menu to create or edit questions.

1. Select a question type from the tabs along the left.
2. Enter the question text in the question template.
3. Add formatting to the question text using the toolbar options.
4. Specify the correct answer (if applicable) and the point value.
5. Click the Preview button to preview the question.
6. When ready, click the Add to End of List or Insert into List button.
7. The question will appear in the Question List at the bottom of the screen.

The Edit Toolbar
The Edit Toolbar provides tools for formatting text or adding equations, tables, images and other media.

1. Save File – save the currently open file.
2. Spell checker – spell check the file.
3. Cut Copy and Paste – copy text to/from a text entry field.
4. Bold, Italic, Underline – adds bold, italic or underline formatting.
5. Superscript and Subscript – add superscript or subscript formatting.
6. Equation Editor – launches the equation editor.
7. Add images, audio/video, or other types of files – add media files.
8. Web links – create a link to an object or website.
9. HTML Editor – add a block of HTML to a question.
10. Power Edit – provides a larger edit window and includes other tools like bulleted lists, fonts, table editor, etc.

The Setting Menu

The Settings menu displays the exam settings available for Canvas course management system that was selected on the Start menu. Select the exam settings prior to publishing the exam to Canvas. (See the Canvas user guide, or the online help in Respondus, to learn more about these settings.)

The Preview & Publish Menu

1. Preview – preview the exam before printing or publishing it.
2. Publish to Canvas – publish the exam to your online course using the Publish Wizard.
3. Update Settings – update the settings for an existing exam in the Canvas.
4. Print Options – print the exam or save it to MS Word or Rich Text Format.

Using the Publish Wizard
Use the Publish Wizard to publish exams directly to your Canvas’s online course.

1. From the Preview & Publish menu, select the Publish to Canvas tab and then click the Publish Wizard button.
2. To publish the exam to a single course, select the Publish to single course option.
3. For Canvas Server, choose “add new server” from the drop-down list.
   
    
4. In the following window that appears, choose “Yes, check for preconfigured server settings” and click on Next.
    
5. In the window that appears, enter the following details:
   • Enter a name to describe the connection to the UIS Canvas server.
   • Enter your UIS NetID and password.
   • Choose “Save my User Name and Password on this computer” if it isn’t a shared computer.
   • Make sure the option Run connection test is selected.
   • Click Next.
     
      
6. The wizard will display a window that looks similar to the one below.
   • Choose a course from the drop-down list.
   • For Create new Exam, enter a name for the exam or quiz.
   • Select any additional options for the exam or quiz.
   • Click Next.
     
      
7. The exam will now be published to the specified course. When the publishing process is completed, click on Finish.

Printing the Exam

1. From the Preview & Publish menu, select the Print Options tab.
2. Select an option: Exam or Exam with Answer Key or Answer Key only. Click the Settings button to the right to further adjust the settings.
3. Click the Edit Headers button to modify the text that will appear at the top of each page.
4. To print multiple variations of the exam (with randomized question orders in each), change the pull-down list to the desired number of exam variations.
5. Click the Print Preview button to display the exam output in a window.
6. Click the Save to file button to save the exam to MS Word, Rich Text Format or Text format. Or, click the Send to Printer button to print the exam directly.

Retrieval & Reports Menu

Retrieving an exam from Canvas
Respondus will “retrieve” an exam from Canvas system, which then allows the file to be edited, published to another online course, or printed using Respondus.

1. From the Retrieval & Reports menu, select the Retrieve Questions tab.
2. Choose Canvas from the list.
3. Choose the Course from the list.
4. Select the Exam from the list.
5. Enter a name for the Respondus file that will be created once the exam is retrieved.
6. Click the Retrieve button to complete the download process and to create the new Respondus file.

 

 

Respondus: LockDown Browser

What is Respondus LockDown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the security of online testing in Canvas. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser to take a Canvas test, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, access other applications, or close a test until it is submitted for grading. Tests created for use with Respondus LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with standard browsers either.
Respondus LockDown Browser functions much like a standard browser, but some options have been removed or work differently. The list below highlights some of these differences.

1. Modified Toolbar – the condensed toolbar includes only Forward, Back, Refresh and Stop functions
2. Test Mode – tests are shown full-screen and cannot be minimized, resized, or exited until submitted for grading
3. Disabled Controls – all printing, keystroke combinations, screen grab, function keys, and right-click menus have been disabled
4. Links – links to other web servers will open in a new, secure window and prevent browsing beyond that page
5. Blocked Features & Applications – the Start button (Windows), system tray, and menu bars have been removed

Building Block Installation

Respondus LockDown Browser is available under the Navigation tab of the Settings section in your Canvas course. If it doesn’t appear in your course, follow these steps to make it available:

1. Login to your course and select the Settings.
2. Click Navigation from the tabs listed at the top of the page.
3. Locate LockDown Browser, and click the 3 dots to the right of it, then choose Enable.
4. Click the Save at the bottom of the page.

Preparing a Test

To set up a test in Canvas that requires students to use Respondus LockDown Browser, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the test has been deployed in the Canvas course.
2. Click the Lockdown Browser option in the navigation bar in Canvas.
3. A list of deployed tests will be displayed.
   • Tests labeled with “Enabled” require students to use LockDown Browser.
   • Tests labeled with “Not Enabled” don’t require LockDown Browser.
4. To change the setting for a test, click the arrow next to each exam and choose Settings. Then select the desired option:
   • Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this test
   • Don’t require Respondus LockDown Browser for this test
      
   1. Optionally you may enter a test password that students must enter to start the test. The Respondus LockDown Browser will prompt students to enter the instructor-provided password before proceeding with the test.
5. Click Submit to confirm the new test options.

How the Integration Works

The Respondus LockDown Browser integration relies on the “password” feature for Canvas tests. This feature is also what prevents a regular browser from accessing a test that has been set up for use with LockDown Browser. It’s not important to fully understand how this works, but the following details
are important:

• The Respondus LockDown Browser Building Block publishes a special password to the “password” field for the Canvas test. This special password, which is used by Respondus LockDown Browser, shouldn’t be edited by the instructor within Canvas (doing so will prevent Lockdown Browser from working with the test).
• If the instructor wants students to enter a password before a test is started in Canvas, the password must be entered during the “Preparing A Test” step described above.
• Do not change the name of the test within Canvas once it has been set up for use with LockDown Browser.

Installing the Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser must be installed to each computer being used to take a test. The installation file is available for both Windows or Macintosh. Please note that LockDown Browser does NOT work on Chromebooks. Students using Chromebooks are encouraged to reach out to ITS Client Services at techsupport@uis.edu to borrow a laptop that already has LockDown Browser installed.

Taking a Test

From a student’s perspective, this is how Respondus LockDown Browser is used to take a test.

The instructions are different depending on whether your instructor is using Canvas Classic Quizzes or Canvas New Quizzes.

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Canvas Classic Quizzes

Classic Quizzes are labeled with a space ship that is white with a green outline.

1. Locate the “LockDown Browser” shortcut on the desktop and double-click it. (For Macintosh users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder) and you have to select uispringfield.instructure.com as you server in the choose server pop-up menu.
2. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging) choose Yes when prompted.
3. Login to the Canvas course with your NetID & Password.
4. Navigate to the test and select it.
5. A pop-up window will ask whether the instructor has required a password for the test.
   
   1. If a test password (such as the word “apple”) is required by the instructor to start the test, select the Yes option, enter the password, and click the Continue button.
   2. If the instructor did not set up the test with a password, the No option should be selected. Click the Continue button.
       
6. Regardless of the selection made in the previous step, Respondus LockDown Browser will automatically fill in a special password on the next screen. It’s important that this password field isn’t modified. Click the Submit button.
   
    
7. The test will then start. (Note, once a test has been started with Respondus LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the Submit button is clicked.)

TIP – Prior to the first test, have students complete a practice test that uses Respondus LockDown Browser to make sure they have installed it correctly.

What if a Standard Browser is Used?

If the settings for a test require that Respondus LockDown Browser be used, it cannot be accessed with a standard browser. In fact, you can easily confirm that a test has been properly set for Respondus LockDown Browser by following these steps using a regular browser.

1. Open a regular web browser such as Internet Explorer or Safari.
2. Login to the Canvas course as a student.
3. Navigate to the test and open it.
4. You will be asked to enter a password for the test, as shown below:

Because Respondus LockDown Browser uses a special password that will be unknown to students, they will be unable to access the test with a standard browser. (Even if the instructor elects to use a password like “apple” that must entered at the start of the test, the password won’t work on this page. The password will only work if LockDown Browser is being used.)

TIP – If students indicate that they are unable to access a test because they are being prompted for a password (or that the password provided to them doesn’t work), it usually indicates that they are trying to access the test with a standard browser instead of Respondus LockDown Browser.

Watch this short video on how to use LockDown Browser for Canvas Classic Quizzes

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Canvas New Quizzes

New quizzes are labeled with a space ship icon that is solid green.

The student experience is similar to that of taking a Classic Quiz with LockDown Browser. The major difference is that you will need to first log in to your Canvas course from a regular browser (Chrome or Firefox) first. Upon opening the New Quizzes assessment that has LockDown Browser enabled, you will see a prompt asking you to open LockDown browser. When you click on the prompt, Canvas will automatically launch the assessment in LockDown Browser. The following video goes over this process:

Other Training and Support Resources

• Online Help – press F1 in Respondus to get context-sensitive help
• User Guide – download the Respondus user guide from
• Demo Movies – view demonstration and training movies at
• Knowledgebase