Respondus

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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.

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

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