Respondus LockDown Browser + Monitor

for Students

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Respondus is a software company that offers assessment applications for education. Seneca Polytechnic uses two of their products, LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor, to facilitate online observation, or proctoring, of online assessments.

Table of Contents


Privacy Statement

Seneca has implemented the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor as remote proctoring tools to support the administration of online assessments. Information collected using Respondus Monitor is accessible to, and may be used by, authorized individuals at Seneca to administer and manage academic integrity of student assessments. 

Personal information being collected and used to administer the online assessment is done so under the legal authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act S.O. 2002 and in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Respondus is acting on behalf of Seneca and has been contractually obligated to have sufficient policies and safeguards in place to protect personal information. For more information, visit Respondus Privacy Policy. If you have any questions concerning Seneca’s collection and use of personal information, please contact the Privacy Office at 416.764.0400 or email privacyoffice@senecapolytechnic.ca.

 


Download and Install the Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

To download the Respondus LockDown Browser, either Windows PC or MacOS are required. You can download the LockDown Browser from the assessment pane when you start your test attempt, or you can visit Download LockDown Browser for a direct download. If you have already installed the software before, make sure to check your version and update if there is a newer version available.

Note: If you have accomodations for Assistive Technology (AT), start your Assistive Technology application first.

Seneca recommends that you complete a practice assessment that requires downloading and installing Respondus LockDown Browser (Respondus Monitor is included in this browser). If you do not have the opportunity to complete a practice assessment, please get in touch with your course instructor to see if they can provide one.

Note: If you use Assistive Technology (AT) such as Read&Write, Jaws, Word Q, Dragon, Zoom Text, and Kurzweil, please practice using your AT during the practice assessment. If you are not able to use your AT during the practice assessment, please inform your instructor immediately.

For proctored assessments that require the use of Respondus Monitor, please ensure you have a working external webcam, with audio input. Please use the Respondus Monitor checklist to ensure your testing environment is appropriate.

 


Preparing Your Testing Environment

To make sure that you set up your testing environment successfully, review all of the components of the following checklist.

Note: You will be recorded for the entire duration of your assessment. You will not be able to leave your computer for unnecessary breaks. If you wander off-screen, your behaviour will be flagged.

Download a PDF version of the following checklist:

Computer

  • Clean webcam lens.
  • Ensure enough battery life.
  • Ensure a strong Wi-Fi or ethernet connection.
  • Ensure computer audio and video works.
  • Eyes and ears must be visible; hats with brims turned around.
    • Head coverings for religious, cultural, or medical reasons are permitted.
    • Students using headphones for noise cancellation or AT software, such as screen reading software, may not have their ears fully visible.
  • Close all computer programs, other than the LockDown Browser. Note: If you are using Assistive Technology (AT), please ensure your AT is running on your computer.

Room

  • Use quality lighting to show your face.
  • Sit at a solid work surface, not on a bed.
  • Sit in a quiet testing area; ensure there is no background noise, to the best of your ability.
  • Ensure no one else is in the testing area, to the best of your ability.
  • Remove items that you do not wish to appear on camera (e.g., personal photos).

Student Appearance

  • Remove electronic devices such as earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, etc. 
    • Students may need to use headphones for noise cancellation or AT software, such as screen reading software.
  • Dress appropriately since this is recorded.
  • Head coverings for religious, cultural, or medical reasons are permitted.

Documentation

  • Have your Seneca photo ID ready.
  • Place scrap paper, accepted items (like a periodic table) and/or a calculator on the desk to show during the Environment Check.

Testing Environment

  • Remain in the recording frame for the entire test.
  • Do not leave or change environments.
  • Do not access any other devices.

Environment Check

Review the Environment Check tutorial to make sure you are completing the check within the 1-minute and 5-second time limit. Please let your instructor know ahead of time if you need a time accommodation for the Environment Check.

Note: If you don’t have an external webcam, use a mirror of a smartphone with a front-facing camera to show a clear 360° camera visual of the workspace.

  • Scan the top of the desk.
  • Scan under, behind, and sides of the desktop.
  • Scan under, behind and above your seat/sitting area.
  • Scan the front of the monitor: use a mirror or smartphone on selfie mode to show your monitor/desk is free of notes/books.
  • Scrap paper/accepted items – show the front and back of the paper to the camera.
  • Other written/printer materials – show the front and the back of the paper(s) to the camera.
  • Calculator – show to the camera.
  • Any additional material allowed by your instructor.

Prohibited Items

  • Turn off all smart devices (phone, tablet, watch, etc.,) and place out of sight/reach.
  • Move this checklist out of sight/reach.
  • Move all unauthorized material, such as purses, backpacks, notes, books, etc., out of sight/reach.


FAQ

Below you'll find answers to some of the most common questions, information on Respondus, and troubleshooting help we receive via email. If your question isn’t found here, please feel free to reach out to the Seneca Privacy office (privacyoffice@senecapolytechnic.ca).

Where can I download the Respondus LockDown Browser as a student?
You can download the LockDown Browser from the assessment pane when you start your test attempt, or you can visit LockDown Browser for a direct download.

Can spreadsheets/Excel be used with LockDown Browser?
The spreadsheet tool only works when LockDown Browser is launched from Blackboard Original courses and has not been effective in Learn@Seneca. If an Excel sheet is required for the assessment, convert the document to a PDF.

I’m having trouble installing/using the Respondus LockDown Browser and my anti-virus software.

  • Temporarily disable anti-virus software by turning off your anti-virus and firewall software while using the browser.
  • Review your security settings.
  • Log in as your computer administrator.
  • Try using a different browser to download the LockDown Browser installation file.

 

Resources

Accessibility

Other

For further information or if you have any questions, 
please don't hesitate to reach out to us at teaching@senecapolytechnic.ca.