A beta release of Respondus LockDown Browser is now available to academic institutions. The browser locks down the testing environment within WebCT and Blackboard so that students are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until it is submitted for grading.

When used in a proctored setting, Respondus LockDown Browser provides a powerful layer of security for online exams. Common forms of cheating are prevented, such as using a search engine to find an answer, chatting with a friend using Instant Messaging, opening a file on the computer, or going to other areas in WebCT or Blackboard during an exam.

Early feedback indicates that students embrace the use of Respondus LockDown Browser for online assessments. That’s because the large majority of students don’t cheat on exams. More than anybody else, students want an environment that prevents other students from cheating. While Respondus LockDown Browser isn’t a total solution to this issue (students could still send text messages on cell phones, access printed notes, etc.) it helps create a “level playing field” for classmates.

The Beta Release
Fifteen institutions were given early access to a beta release of Respondus LockDown Browser in November 2005. Another 50 institutions became beta participants in January. The beta release is now open to any institution that licenses WebCT 4 or Blackboard 6-7 and that has a campus-wide license of Respondus 3.0. Institutions that use WebCT Vista (or WebCT CE 6) are also welcome to participate in the beta release, regardless of whether they have a campus license for Respondus 3.0. To learn more about beta participation, contact your Respondus account manager or select the information links at the end of this article.

Vista “PowerLink” for Respondus LockDown Browser
Institutions that use WebCT Vista 3.0+ or WebCT CE 6 have a more powerful integration of Respondus LockDown Browser available to them. The “PowerLink for Respondus LockDown Browser” provides additional assessment settings for instructors. Once the PowerLink is installed by the WebCT administrator, instructors simply go to the “Security Settings” for the assessment and select the “Browser Restriction” option.

With the “Browser Restriction” setting selected, students will have to use Respondus LockDown Browser to take the assessment. If a student tries to access the assessment in WebCT Vista/CE6 with a standard browser (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox) a warning message is displayed and the “Begin Assessment” button is dimmed, preventing the student from continuing.

Learn More
Additional information about Respondus LockDown Browser is available from the Respondus web site.  

Demonstration movies:
http://www.respondus.com/products/demos-ldb.shtml

Product & Beta Information:
http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/beta1_home.shtml

Source: Respondus, Inc. (www.respondus.com)
Originally Published: February 8, 2005

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