Get Started with Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor

Introduction to Respondus Technology

Respondus designs technology that is intended to minimize the opportunity for academic dishonesty on exams administered through Canvas. You can access two different tools through Respondus:

LockDown Browser, a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas and prevents students from accessing other information and applications on their computer. When an exam is configured with LockDown Browser, it cannot be taken in another browser.
Monitor is a program that builds on LockDown Browser, records students as they are taking the exam, and flags behavior for further review by the instructor. Monitor is typically used for take-home exams that need to replicate the setting of an in-person proctored exam, or in fully-online courses.

LockDown Browser and Monitor both aim to limit the opportunity for academic dishonesty during significant assessments. There are also other ways to cultivate academic integrity throughout a course that can be used in addition to or as an alternative to LockDown Browser and Monitor.

Before Using LockDown Browser or Monitor

Before using LockDown Browser or Monitor for the first time, there are a few things to keep in mind:

LockDown Browser prevents students from completing file upload questions because they will not be able to access or select from their files. As an alternative, some instructors have included an assignment or a second quiz that does not use LockDown Browser for students to complete file upload questions.
Design an exam that won’t take the entire class period, in case someone needs buffer time to address any issues.
Share with your class the information for students on Using Classroom Wifi for Assessments and Activities.
Run a practice quiz with your students before they complete any for-credit assignments using LockDown Browser or Respondus Monitor. This allows students to make sure they know how the program works, that their devices meet the system requirements, and that they don’t run into any other barriers when using the tool. Consider keeping the practice quiz open and allow multiple attempts, so students have a ready way to check for updates to Lockdown Browser before an exam.
Depending on availability and with advance notice, support staff can be present during a trial run and/or exam; please contact centerforteaching@bc.edu to ask about availability.

To be prepared in the unlikely event students encounter problems with Respondus, and to minimize the possibility of disruptions during exams, it can be useful to consider the following options in advance:

If a student has encountered difficulties installing Respondus:

Please refer them to the Help Desk.
If they are unable to resolve the issue, CTE staff can consult with instructors on alternative solutions.

If students encounter connectivity issues when starting a Quiz:

Have half the class enter the Quiz one minute before the other half, as this will divide the load on the network.
Have paper copies of the Quiz available to administer as an alternative
Refer issues to the Help Desk for follow-up

Find Support for Using LockDown Browser and Monitor

The following guides can help you get started with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. If you need additional assistance, email centerforteaching@bc.edu.

Additional Resources

See the LockDown Browser resource page and the Respondus Monitor resource page for more information and guides, including video overviews. For another perspective, see the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning’s resource, which includes instructions for requiring Respondus for individual Students. You can also find support resources through the Respondus tool in Canvas.