Respondus LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser is a special web browser that prevents students from navigating away from Canvas and accessing other applications while taking an online quiz. Quizzes requiring LockDown Browser cannot be accessed or completed with any other browser.

 

Note: We do not recommend using LockDown Browser at this point of time due to instability issues within the software. If you would like to explore other proctoring options, please contact the Science LT Support team for help.

 

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)

Should you decide to use Respondus LockDown Browser for a quiz in your course, you are required to have certain quiz settings enabled to ensure that its use is compliant with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). To do this, follow the Required step under Step 6 in the “Requiring LockDown Browser in a quiz” section.

Integrating LockDown Browser into Canvas
  1. Access your Canvas course site.
  2. Click Settings on the course menu.
  3. Select the Navigation tab.
  4. Drag the LockDown Browser item from the bottom section of the page to the top section to enable it.
  5. Click Save.

Note: Students MUST download from the link provided by Canvas or from this LockDown Browser download link when trying to access a LockDown Browser quiz from a standard browser, as the software is customized to UBC.

Requiring LockDown Browser in a Quiz
  1. In the Course Navigation sidebar, select LockDown Browser.
  2. A list of all quizzes in your course will be shown. Click the menu item on the left next to the quiz in which you would like to enable LockDown Browser.
  3. Click on Settings.
  4. Select Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam.
  5. Optional: Select Require LockDown Browser to view post-exam feedback and results (quiz grades and comments are still visible to students within the Grades tab).
  6. Optional: Create an Access code for this exam that you will provide to students. They will need to enter the code to be able to begin the quiz.

Required: To ensure that student information is protected according to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), click Advanced Settings and ensure Lock students into the browser until exam is completed is checked. Students will not be able to close the browser and leave the quiz before submitting their answers.

  1. Confirm your changes by clicking Save + Close.
Preparing Students for LockDown Browser Assessments

It is important to help prepare your students for any exams or quizzes that will use Respondus LockDown Browser to prevent any incidents or technical issues from occurring during the assessment period.

  • Provide students with information on the technical setups they would need to take their exams using the LockDown Browser.
    • LockDown Browser only works on a desktop computer, laptop computer or iPads. It is not compatible to be used on mobile devices or Chromebooks.
      • Note: Students can download Respondus LockDown Browser on their iPad, but we do not recommend using it to take the exam.
    • Students are recommended to work in an environment with stable internet connection to prevent them from being disconnected from the exam.
    • If the exam is in a different language, ensure that your students have updated their computer’s language settings.
  • Be clear about what restrictions you set around what will or will not be allowed on the students’ computers.
    • Communicate with your students on what students can do in their main browser (e.g., no copying, printing, accessing other websites).
    • Be sure to clarify procedures about using washroom during exams, using scratch paper, or any other needs specific to your course.
    • Provide procedures for opening other tools needed for the assessment, if applicable.
  • Provide students with an ungraded practice quiz using LockDown Browser to help them familiarize themselves with the software.
Providing Troubleshooting Suggestions

Sometimes, your students may encounter an issue while using LockDown Browser where it appears to “freeze” or closes. This commonly occurs due to a pop-up from another application, students clicking a corrupted web link or loss of internet connection. In these cases, students may temporarily be bumped out of the Canvas assessment. Below are some troubleshooting suggestions the students may take to get back in the exam:

  • Provide your student with the “Proctor Exit Password” to close the LockDown Browser.
    • Once the LockDown Browser has closed, ask your student to open it again and attempt to re-enter the exam.
  • Ask your student to restart their device. They can force restart their device by holding down the power button for 5-20 seconds or longer.
    • After they have restarted their device, close all computer applications that start up automatically.
  • If students are taking the exams from their home, have them reset their internet connection. If they are in a public space, have them turn their internet connection off and on.

Last updated on: March 21, 2023

Learning technology support

If you have any questions or if you would like to report an issue regarding a learning technology, please don’t hesitate to contact us at LT.support@science.ubc.ca. For in-person support, please join our LTRs at one of our drop-in sessions.