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LockDown Browser - Respondus Instructor Quick Start Guide

This is a quick start guide for instructors using Respondus LockDown browser.

Deploy a test in Blackboard for Respondus LockDown Browser

Once you have created a test, deploy your test to a content area in the Blackboard course
Select “Course Tools” below the Control Panel, select “Respondus LockDownBrowser”
Click “Don’t show this page again” OR “Continue to LockDown Browser>" if prompted
A list of all tests deployed in this course appears:

Tests labeled “Required” currently require students to use LockDown Browser
Tests labeled “Not Required” don’t currently require LockDown Browser

To change the setting for a test, click the icon to the left of the title, click “Settings” then select the desired option:

Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this test
Don’t require Respondus LockDown Browser for this test

Optionally you can enter a password the student must enter to open the test in Password Settings > Password to access test (optional)

LockDown Browser will prompt students to enter the instructor-provided password before proceeding with the test

Click Save + Close to confirm the new test options

How does Blackboard know that the LockDown Browser is being used?

Respondus LockDown Browser relies on a dynamically generated password automatically added to the Test Options > Password field in Blackboard tests. This feature prevents students from using a regular browser to open a test that has been set up for use with LockDown Browser.

This unique Respondus LockDown password should not be deleted or edited in the Blackboard Test Options. Changing the password will prevent LockDown Browser from working with the test.

Where do students download Respondus LockDown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser must be installed on each computer being used to take a test. The NDSU clusters all have the LockDown Browser installed on all machines so installation will not be necessary when students are using an NDSU cluster computer.

Students and instructors can download by visiting this page: LockDown Browser - Download/Install Respondus

Because the LockDown Browser installation is unique for each institution the installation files must be downloaded from this link only!

How students use the Respondus LockDown Browser

Students should not log in to Blackboard using a regular browser (i.e. MS-Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, etc.)

Double-click the “LockDown Browser” shortcut on the desktop. (Mac users: launch the application from the Applications folder)
If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging, etc.) choose Yes when prompted
Log in to the Blackboard course using normal NDUS credentials
Navigate to the test and click Begin
If the instructor created a required password for this test, a pop-up window prompts students to enter the required password to continue

If students are prompted to enter a password but the instructor did not create a required password for this t, testhey should contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance. Students should only be prompted for a password if the instructor required it!

The test will start. Once a student starts the test, the Respondus LockDown Browser cannot be closed until the student clicks the Submit button.

Tip and Troubleshooting

Prior to the first scheduled test, have students complete a practice test that requires Respondus LockDown Browser to make sure they have installed it correctly.

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 using a standard browser rather than the Respondus LockDown Browser. They will see this screen if they attempt to open the test using anything other than LockDown Browser:

A screencap of the password lock on lockdown browser.

They should click Cancel, log out of Blackboard and close the browser and open Respondus Lockdown Browser to log back into Blackboard.