WebCT

Taking a Quiz using the Respondus LockDown Browser

Introduction

Respondus LockDown Browser™ is a customized browser that increases the security of online testing in WebCT. When you use Respondus LockDown Browser to access an assessment, you are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. You are locked into an assessment until it is submitted for grading.

Overview of Browser Application

Respondus LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. It provides a custom interface for the Internet Explorer software that is already installed on a Windows computer. It does not modify an existing copy of Internet Explorer, but rather, installs a separate program that will display the custom interface when it is started.

Respondus LockDown Browser uses the same security features and service packs that are currently installed for Internet Explorer. Installing Respondus LockDown Browser won’t modify the current version of Internet Explorer in any way.

Overview of Browser Application

Respondus LockDown Browser creates a “locked” testing environment for WebCT and includes the following features:

• Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized
• Assessments cannot be exited until submitted by users for grading
• Task switching or access to other applications is prevented
• Printing functions are disabled
• Print Screen and capturing functions are disabled
• Copying and pasting anything to and from an assessment is prohibited
• Right-click menu options are disabled
• Browser menu and toolbar options are disabled except Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop
• Function keys (F1-F12) are disabled
• Source code for the HTML page cannot be viewed
• URLs cannot be typed by the user
• Over 250 screen capture, messaging, screen-sharing and network monitoring applications are blocked from running
• The browser automatically starts at the institution’s login page for WebCT
• Links in questions that point to other servers don’t compromise the “locked” testing environment
• Pages from the assessment aren’t cached or stored in Internet Explorer’s history listing
• And many other features…

Respondus LockDown Browser is not intended to replace the browser used by students within WebCT. Respondus LockDown Browser is only intended for use by you while taking assessments that have been prepared for use with Respondus LockDown Browser.

Technical Requirements for Browser Installation

• Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98
• Internet Explorer (it must pass the browser check for WebCT Vista)
• 1 MB of permanent space on the hard drive

You Will See A Warning Message…

You will then be required to use Respondus LockDown Browser to access the assessment. If a student attempts to take the assessment using a browser than Respondus LockDown Browser, a warning message will be displayed and the “Begin Assessment” button will be greyed out, preventing you from continuing, as shown below.

Downloading & Installing LDB

1. Start your Windows computer (a Macintosh version isn’t yet available).
2. Start Internet Explorer
   1. You must use Internet Explorer (5.5 or higher) to download and install Respondus LockDown Browser, even if you normally use a different browser to access the Internet.
   2. To determine the version of Internet Explorer, select Help > About Internet Explorer.
3. Go to the download link that is supplied to you, which will look something like: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=185514015
4. The following screen will appear:

   

5. Read the instructions shown and click the “ Install from Server 1 ” or “ Install from Server 2 ” link at the bottom left section of the page.
6. Depending on your version of Internet Explorer, an ActiveX warning may appear in the thin bar that appears below the address field of the browser.

   

   If this occurs, right-click on the warning message and select Install ActiveX Control… from the menu.

   

7. When the installation screen for Respondus LockDown Browser appears, click the “Install” button.

   

8. Answer “Yes” if prompted to accept the programs from Macrovision (InstallShield) and Respondus (LockDown Browser). The InstallShield Wizard will start. It may take a minute or so for the InstallShield Wizard to load, so be patient.

   

9. When the following screen appears, click Next .

   

10. When the welcome screen appears, click Next again.

    

11. Review the license agreement and select the “I accept...” option. Click Next

    

12. Accept the default location for Respondus Lockdown Browser and click Next .

    

13. Finally, click Install to begin the installation process.

    

14. The following screen will appear when the installation is complete. Click Finish and also close the browser window.

    

15. A shortcut should now appear on your desktop. Double-click it to start.   Respondus LockDown Browser.

    

Be sure that Respondus LockDown Browser is working properly well in advance of the first time you will need to use it.

Note: If you take an assessment in a computer lab, the LockDown Browser should have already been installed on the computer, and the LDB shortcut should be on the desktop.

Technology Support

For more suggestions on assessment security, please contact your Online Support Technician.

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