Introduction
Respondus is a powerful tool for creating and managing exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to ANGEL, Blackboard, eCollege, WebCT, WebCT Vista and other eLearning systems. Respondus software is used by tens of thousands of instructors at over 2,000 colleges and secondary schools worldwide. Hundreds of educational institutions have obtained a Respondus Campus-wide Site License, which makes the software accessible to all instructors at that institution. In addition, Respondus LE (a "print-only" version of Respondus) can be downloaded for free from the Respondus website, which enables any instructor to access publisher test banks that are in Respondus format.
How it Works (from the instructor's standpoint)
When a publisher distributes a test bank in Respondus format, it consists of a single file that is encrypted, compressed, and usually, password-protected. The publisher can distribute the file to instructors using a variety of means, including physical media (eg., CD-ROM), e-mail, and the Respondus Test Bank Network (TBN).
If a Respondus test bank file is provided to an instructor on physical media or as an e-mail attachment, the instructor simply opens the file using Respondus. (If the publisher applied a password to the test bank file, the instructor will be prompted for it at this time.) The test bank is then extracted, decrypted, and then restored to the projects folder in Respondus.
Publisher test banks can also be made available through the Respondus Test Bank Network (TBN), which offers the easiest and most secure way for an instructor to obtain a publisher test bank over the Internet. The publisher provides the instructor a 16-digit File Code and Password for the test bank. Within Respondus, the instructor selects the "Open" task, clicks the "Download Test Bank" button, and then enters the File Code and password information received from the publisher. Respondus will then make a secure connection through the Respondus TBN to download the test bank file. The file is then decrypted and restored to the projects folder in Respondus.
How it Works (from the Publisher's standpoint)
Respondus Publishing Partners are provided a user guide that explains the process of creating a test bank in Respondus. Once a test bank is in Respondus format, a special tool is used (also provided to the publishing partners) to create a "master" of the test bank file. This is when the test bank is encrypted, compressed into a single file, and password protected. To register the file with the Respondus Test Bank Network (TBN), the file is uploaded to the publisher's server and then registered by filling out a simple web form. A 16-digit File Code is generated during this registration step, which along with certain password information, will allow an instructor to download the test bank using their Respondus software. (Please note that although the Respondus TBN is the most secure way to distribute a test bank, this distribution method is entirely optional. That is, publishers can distribute test banks in Respondus format using other means, such as physical media and e-mail.)
How to Become a Respondus Publishing Partner
There is no cost to become a Respondus Publishing Partner, nor is there a cost to distribute test banks through the Respondus Test Bank Network. Additional information about the Respondus Publishing Partner Program is available from the FAQ page. To initiate contact with a representative at Respondus, please submit the form below.
