​​​​Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Moodle. When students use LockDown Browser to access a Moodle quiz, they cannot print, copy, visit other web pages, access other applications, or close a quiz until it is submitted for grading.  

Respondus Monitor allows students to record themselves while taking online, non-proctored exams. Test recordings are reviewed and flagged for abnormalities by artificial intelligence, and reports/recordings can be viewed by faculty.

How to Set up Respondus LockDown Browser

1. First, create your Quiz/Exam in Moodle.

2. Locate the Respondus LockDown Browser block and click ‘Dashboard.’

• If you do not see the Respondus Dashboard block in your course: 

  • Click ‘turn editing on’.

  • Locate ‘Add a Block’ on the left-hand navigation bar.

  • Select ‘Respondus LockDown Browser, and the block will be added to the blocks on the right side of your Moodle page.

3. The Respondus Dashboard lists all Moodle Quizzes in your course.  Under the exam you want to enable the Respondus LockDown Browser, click the green arrow and choose ‘Settings.’

4. Select ‘Require Respondus Lockdown Browser for this exam’.  Click the + to expand the ‘Advanced Settings.’

5. Under Advanced Settings, select the following options:

   • Allow students to take this exam with an iPad.

   • If you need students to access any other websites, click ‘Allow access to specific external web domains’ and add them here.

   • You can also enable a Calculator and Printing if necessary.

   • Note: if students are taking the exam off-campus, we recommend removing the option to “lock students into the browser until the exam is completed”.

      6. Click ‘Save + Close.’  Respondus LockDown Browser is now enabled for this exam.

Other Considerations

• Students requiring assistive technologies may be unable to use LockDown Browser. In Moodle, duplicate your exam (click Edit > Duplicate next to your exam in Moodle).  Return to the Respondus Dashboard and disable LockDown Browser for the duplicate version of your exam.

• Create a practice quiz using LockDown Browser.  This will allow students to download the LockDown Browser and practice a few questions on their system.  Use the same Respondus settings and also add to the practice quiz all links and resources your students may need for their exam. If your exam uses essay-type questions, add one or more to the practice exam so students using dictation or screen reading software can ensure it works with the LockDown Browser.

• Consider how students should ask you a question during the exam.  Since LockDown Browser prevents students from opening other tabs or applications, the easiest way to allow students to ask you questions is from a second device (for example, they could use a mobile phone or tablet to email you.)

• Some students may not be able to install the LockDown Browser.  If this student has access to another computer, iPad or Chromebook, ask them to use that device to take the exam.  Otherwise, create a duplicate version of your exam (that does NOT have LockDown Browser enabled) for these students.

Student Instructions

1. Click on the exam link in Moodle.  Students will see the description, which notes the exam requires Respondus LockDown Browser.

2. Click the link to ‘Download LockDown Browser’ on this page.  If students already installed it for another exam, they will not need to download it again.

3. When ready to start the exam, click ‘Launch LockDown Browser.’  The exam will automatically open in a new browser, and students will be asked to close any other applications.