Respondus LockDown Browser Installation
Respondus LockDown Browser is a secure browser for taking exams in Blackboard. It prevents you from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during an assessment. If a Blackboard exam requires that Respondus LockDown Browser be used, the exam won't be accessible with a standard web browser.
Respondus LockDown Browser should only be used for taking examinations in Blackboard. It should not be used in other areas of Blackboard.
Installation
Respondus LockDown Browser provides a custom interface for the Internet Explorer (Windows) or Safari (Macintosh) software that is already installed on the computer. It does not modify an existing copy of Internet Explorer or Safari, but rather, installs a separate program that will display a custom browser when it is started. Respondus LockDown Browser uses the same security features and service packs that are currently installed for Internet Explorer or Safari. Installing Respondus LockDown Browser will not modify your current version of Internet Explorer or Safari in any way.
To download and install Respondus LockDown Browser, go to the following URL:
http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=276915224
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the correct version of Respondus LockDown Browser for your computer.
Startup
Once installed, follow these steps to start Respondus LockDown Browser and to take a Blackboard exam.
- Close all programs, unless one is used to connect you to the Internet.
- Start Respondus LockDown Browser.
(For Windows user locate the "LockDown Browser" shortcut on the desktop and double click it. Alternatively, click "Start" in Windows, select "Programs", select "Respondus", and then click "Respondus LockDown Browser".)
(For Macintosh users, launch "LockDown Browser" from the Applications folder.)
- Upon starting, the browser will go to the login page for Blackboard.
(A warning message may appear indicating that one or more applications must first be exited, such as instant messaging application. The browser will offer to close the applications for the user. Alternatively, the browser can be exited and the blocked application can be closed manually before restarting the browser.)
- Log into Blackboard by entering your User ID and Password. Select the appropriate course and then select the exam.
- Prior to the start of the assessment, a pop-ip window will ask you whether the exam requires a password. (If the window doesn't appear, it means that you aren't running Respondus LockDown Browser.)
- If your instructor provided a password for the exam, select "Yes" and enter the password. If a password wasn't provided to you, select "No". Click the "Continue" button.
- The next screen will display preliminary information about the exam, including a password field with a set of characters. Do NOT edit this password field. Doing so will prevent you from accessing the exam! Click [Submit] to start the exam. (Note: If you attempt to use any browser other than Respondus LockDown Browser to access the exam, the password field will appear blank and you will be uable to start the exam. If your instructor provided and exam password, it will NOT work in the particular password field.)
- Once the exam is started using Respondus LockDown Browser, you will be unable to exit the exam until the "Finish" button is clicked.
