Respondus for Faculty

WHAT IS RESPONDUS?

RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER

A custom browser that locks down the students’ testing environment within Canvas. It prevents students from opening a new browser window, navigating away from the exam, or opening other applications on their computer during the exam. Respondus LockDown Browser can be used with assessments given on-site in conjunction with human proctors.

RESPONDUS MONITOR

An add-on to the Respondus LockDown Browser that requires students to use a webcam to monitor (record) their testing environment. During the exam, a student’s environment is recorded for the duration of the exam and an artificial intelligence engine performs several layers of analysis to identify and flag suspicious activity. Flagged activities can later be reviewed by the instructor. LockDown Monitor can be used for the proctoring of remote courses.

REQUESTING ACCESS FOR RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER AND RESPONDUS MONITOR

Review the following steps to set up Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor in your course.

1. REQUEST A RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER AND MONITOR ORIENTATION

If this is your first time using Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor, please schedule a Quick Consultation appointment for an orientation to the tool. A group orientation for any interested faculty will be scheduled about 4 weeks prior to the start of classes. Otherwise, you will need to have an orientation two weeks prior to the required practice quiz for the students. You need to complete your Respondus orientation before this tool can be added to your course.

The orientation covers the following topics:

  • Discuss Respondus use cases
  • Review Instructor’s responsibilities
  • Update the Syllabus to inform students of Respondus requirements
  • Setup a practice quiz requiring Respondus LockDown and Monitor
  • Review Canvas exam settings
  • Create a contingency plan and technical support
  • Review and address flagged video recordings

2. REQUEST ACCESS FOR RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER AND MONITOR

  • Two weeks prior to the first exam, please complete and submit the UMSN-IT Respondus Course Activation form (see link below).  Add the subject line of "Respondus Lockdown Browser Only" or "Respondus Monitor" to indicate which application you would like enabled for your course.

Request Respondus for Your Course

Instructors who have previously used Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor will have these tools activated in their desired course within 3 business days of request receipt. 

3. SETUP 1-2 WEEKS BEFORE THE EXAM

  • Publish the Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor system requirements to the syllabus.

  • Configure the Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor exam settings in Canvas.

  • Deploy a Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor practice quiz at least one week prior to course exams. Verify all students have successfully completed the practice quiz and advise them to call IT if they have issues with the Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor.

  • Set up a contingency plan in case of system failures that are onsite.

    • For onsite exams, request assistance with reserving, distributing, and returning loaner laptops for onsite proctored exams. For assistance, send an email with the date, time, location, and number of laptops you would like to reserve to UMSN-FacultyAdminSupport@umich.edu. 

    • For onsite exams you may also decide to have paper exams available for students and/or reschedule the exam.

  • If onsite proctoring assistance is desired, please submit your request to UMSN-FacultyAdminSupport@umich.edu. 

4. SEND A REMINDER 2-3 DAYS BEFORE THE EXAM

  • Send a reminder to students to update Respondus Lockdown Browser. If the tool was updated, remind students to take the practice quiz again.

5. DAY OF THE EXAM

  • Administer the exam.

  • Follow contingency plans as needed.

6. AFTER THE EXAM

  • If using Monitor, review flagged recorded videos. Address any violations as appropriate.

  • Follow up with UMSN-IT regarding outstanding technical issues.

HOW CAN INSTRUCTORS GET HELP WITH RESPONDUS LOCKDOWN BROWSER AND RESPONDUS MONITOR?

REQUESTING HELP DURING AN EXAM

Instructors and students may experience technology issues during an exam that prevent students from accessing or completing their exams successfully. If this occurs, instructors are responsible for immediately executing their contingency plan so that students can complete the quiz or exam.

Students should contact UMSN IT:
Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday
Phone: (734) 764-6300
Email: nursing-help@umich.edu

Graduate DigEd students should contact 24/7 support:
Phone: (734) 749-9002
Email Form: UMSN Zendesk
Live Support Chat is available at the UMSN Graduate Support Site

If major issues are experienced that affect a whole class, instructors should implement their contingency plan and direct students to contact UMSN-IT after their exam to schedule an appointment to troubleshoot their issues. Once a Lockdown Browser issue is confirmed through troubleshooting, UMSN-IT will open a case with the software vendor for resolution. If it is determined that the issue is due to student hardware or software, IT will refer students to authorized service centers for their device.

REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM FACULTY SUPPORT SERVICES

The School of Nursing Faculty Support Services group is available to assist instructors in reserving, distributing, and returning loaner laptops as part of an instructor’s contingency plan for on-campus proctored exams only. If you would like to utilize their services for your quizzes or exams conducted with Respondus Lockdown Browser or Respondus Monitor, please submit your request for assistance to UMSN-FacultyAdminSupport@umich.edu.  Include the date, time, and location of your exam as well as the number of laptops you would like to reserve in your message.

HELPFUL LINKS

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