Go to Student Resources for LockDown Browser

What is LockDown Browser®?

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within TCU Online. It is useful for securing online exams in classrooms or proctored environments.

Instructors have the option to enable LockDown Browser within the Quizzes tool in TCU Online. If enabled, students will be prompted to download, launch, and use the LockDown Browser in order to access the assessment. In order to use LockDown Browser, students must have the ability to install programs on the computer they will be using.

10 Reasons to use LockDown Browser

Note: Students may take a test with an iPad if instructors enable that option within Advanced Settings (step 5). Chromebook may be used by test takers via the Chrome Lockdown Browser Extension.

When enabled, LockDown Browser:

  • Displays assessments in full-screen mode; assessments cannot be minimized
  • Prevents access to other applications, including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and network-monitoring applications
  • Disables Print, Print Screen, and screen capture functions
  • Prevents copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment
  • Disables right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts, and task switching
  • Prevents a student from exiting an assessment until it has been submitted for grading
  • Removes browser menu and toolbar options except for Back, Forward, Refresh, and Stop
  • Prevents students from using other browsers if an assessment has been set up for use with LockDown Browser

 

Watch: Introduction to LockDown Browser – This introductory video explains the basic features of LockDown Browser, and how it deters cheating during proctored, online quizzes.

Instructor Tips and Best Practices

Syllabus Information and Introduction Video

Add Information to your Syllabus and Course Description

Select the relevant option below to generate sample text which can be used in your syllabus and/or course description. It explains that students will be required to use LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, if applicable for their online quizzes. Replace any red text in brackets on the provided documents with your own information.

Student Introduction Video to LockDown Browser

Create a Practice Quiz

We recommend that instructors create an initial practice quiz that requires the use of LockDown Browser. This can be a quick, ungraded, 1-question quiz as the main purpose is to ensure that LockDown Browser is installed and functioning on each student’s device. This will allow you to work with your students to resolve any issues prior to the major assessment, and will therefore help ensure that your first major assessment using LockDown Browser runs smoothly. Ideally, have students use the same computers/devices they’ll later use with the graded quizzes, including the same network/Wi-Fi environment. The latter is especially important if you plan to have a large number of students starting the quiz simultaneously from a Wi-Fi network.

Leave the practice quiz available for the duration of the course, with unlimited attempts, so students can access it again if they use a different computer or Wi-Fi network.

If a problem is encountered during the practice quiz, students can access the Help Center from the toolbar within LockDown Browser. From the Help Center, they can run a “Webcam Check” and “System & Network Check“. Additionally, they may search for a solution in the Knowledge Base, or start a live chat session with a Respondus Support agent.

Once students have completed the practice quiz, review the video results (if Respondus Monitor was used) to see if corrective actions are required for certain students (eg. poor lighting; the head isn’t positioned properly in the video frame, etc.).

Tips to Avoid Issues During a Quiz

  1. Create a Practice Quiz. See the section above for more information.
  2. Instructors should create and communicate an “emergency plan”, should the student run into a critical issue mid-exam. Consider if the student should exit the exam, communicate with the instructor (and how), document the issue, and how the instructor can allow a student to complete the exam if the issue cannot be resolved immediately (make-up exam, oral questioning, etc.). This goes a long way to alleviate student stress about remote exams!
  3. Ensure students are aware of both the Help Center and built-in troubleshooting and Live Chat. Both are explained on these pages, which can be shared with students.
  4. Share this test-taking tips page with your students.

Getting Started with LockDown Browser for Instructors

Getting Help with LockDown Browser for Instructors

Training

Support

Student Resources

LockDown Browser is a secure browser for use with the Quizzes tool in TCU Online. It prevents printing, copying, going to other URLs, or accessing other applications during an online assessment. If your instructor has enabled LockDown Browser for an assessment in TCU Online, you will not be able to access the assessment with a standard web browser. Instead you must download and install the free LockDown Browser software onto your computer in order to access and complete the assessment. A broadband connection is also required.

Watch: Introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser for Students

 

Getting Started with LockDown Browser for Students

Getting Help with LockDown Browser for Students

Accessibility

Respondus LockDown Browser supports screen readers and is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and other systems.