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How to Use Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor

For students and faculty.

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What is Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor?

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Canvas.

When students use LockDown Browser to access a quiz, they are unable to print, copy, visit other websites, access other applications, or close a quiz until it is submitted for grading. Quizzes created for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with standard browsers.

The Monitor is a webcam feature for LockDown Browser that records students during online, non-proctored quizzes. When this feature is enabled for a quiz, students are required to use a webcam and microphone with LockDown Browser.

 

Introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser for Students

Installation

  1. If you are using your own device or taking the quiz off-campus, you will need to first install LockDown Browser. The link to download it in Canvas should look similar to the image below.

    link to install lockdown browser

  2. OR - Download the Respondus Lockdown Browser here.
  3. You must have administrative privileges for LockDown Browser to work properly. You will not have administrator privileges on an publicly accessible computer on-campus.
  4. Select the Windows or Macintosh version.
  5. The rest of the installation process should work just like other application installation on your computer and is fairly intuitive.
  6. Verify LockDown Browser is working properly well in advance of the first time you will need to use it.

Taking a Canvas Quiz with LockDown Browser

  1. Close all programs, unless one is used to connect to the Internet.
  2. Select the LockDown Browser icon. lockdown browser icon
  3. A warning message may appear indicating that one or more applications must first be exited, such as an instant messaging application. The browser will offer to close the applications, choose Yes when prompted
  4. Upon starting LockDown Browser, it should automatically go to the login page for Canvas.
  5. Log into Canvas using your SC4 username and password. Select the appropriate course and then select the exam.
  6. Prior to the start of the assessment, a pop-up window will ask whether the quiz requires a password. The window has a blue border at the top.(If this window does not appear, it means that you are not running Respondus LockDown Browser.)
  7. If your instructor provided a password for the exam, select the “Yes” option, enter the password, and click Continue. If your instructor did not set up the test with a password, select the “No” option and click Continue.
  8. Regardless of the selection made in the previous step, LockDown Browser will automatically fill in a special password on the next screen with a set of ••••••••• characters. Do NOT edit this password field, even if the quiz does not have a password. Doing so will prevent you from accessing the quiz.
  9. Click the Submit button to start the quiz. (Note: If you attempt to use any browser other than LockDown Browser to access the quiz, the password field will appear blank and you will be unable to start the exam. If your instructor provided a quiz password, it will NOT work in this particular password field.)
  10. The test will then start.  (Note, once the exam is started with LockDown Browser, you will be unable to exit until the Submit button is clicked.)

Using the Monitor & Webcam

**If you are using a device with a built-in webcam or taking the quiz off-campus, begin at step #3.

1. Plug the webcam into a USB port.

2. Follow steps #5- #9 above.

3. Review and agree to the Terms of Use.

4. Go through the Webcam Check, which will confirm that your webcam and microphone are working properly. (Adobe Flash Player may ask you to select Allow and Remember.)

5. The remaining steps of the Startup Sequence will depend on settings chosen by your instructor. Follow the instructions and note your progress along the top of the screen.

6. The test will begin after the Startup Sequence is complete. You cannot exit LockDown Browser until the test is submitted for grading.

 

If you encounter a problem, select the It’s not working link for troubleshooting tips.

FAQs