Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

If you use quizzes or exams in your Canvas course shell, there are two tools that increase quiz/exam security: LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor.

LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a special web browser that your students download to take quizzes and exams in Canvas. When you switch on LockDown for a quiz/exam, students cannot open the assessment without using LockDown Browser.

LockDown Browser takes over the student's computer and only allows them to take the online quiz/exam. They cannot print. They cannot view other websites. They cannot even look at documents on their computer.

How do I set up LockDown?

In the lower left-hand menu of your course, click on LockDown Browser. If it's hidden then you'll need to make it visible in settings (students won't be able to see it). The LockDown control page lists all your quiz/exams. Click on the button to the left of your quiz/exam and select Modify Settings. Click on Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam.

It's a good idea to give students an ungraded practice quiz using LockDown Browser to make sure they're ready to take a real assessment. We have a generic one that we can import into your course. Contact [email protected] for assistance.

Respondus Monitor

Respondus Monitor is a webcam proctoring system that video-records students while they are taking an exam to document that they are following testing requirements.

Monitor runs inside the LockDown browser. When you switch on Monitor the student is required to take the quiz/exam with a webcam that records them the whole time (you'll need to list a webcam as a course requirement). The software guides them through a protocol that includes:

  1. Testing the webcam
  2. Saving a digital image of the testee
  3. Saving a digital image of a picture ID for the testee
  4. Agreeing to a Terms of Use statement (approved by EMU Legal and IT)
  5. Taking the quiz/exam while being recorded.

Effective Nov 11, 2022 the university has directed instructors to turn off the "Environment Scan" feature in Respondus Monitor. It is no longer allowed.  View this video to learn how to turn off the Environment Scan, or contact the Center for E-Learning at [email protected]. 

After the exam is finished, the instructor can visit an archive page for each test that shows the digital images and breaks the entire video down into clickable segments for viewing.

How do I set up Monitor?

We recommend that you attend a training session or meet with an instructional designer to set up Respondus Monitor. To make an appointment with an instructional designer contact us at [email protected].

What should I put in my syllabus about LockDown and Monitor?

We strongly recommend adding a notification about LockDown Browser and Monitor to your syllabus to let students know what the software does and what they need to run it. You can use this suggested syllabus text [PDF].

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