Instructor Guide to Respondus LockDown Browser

What is Respondus LockDown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. To accomplish this, RLDB does several things, such as: 

• displaying assessments in full-screen that cannot be minimized
• removing the menu and toolbar options
• preventing access to other applications
• restricting other system features (copy/paste, print screen, right click, function keys, task switching, keyboard shortcuts)

RLDB is downloaded by students onto their own computers. If you are a student and would like to learn how to use RLDB, please visit our Student Guide for Respondus Lockdown Browser. For instructors, Canvas quizzes can be configured using the LockDown Browser tool available in each Canvas course.

Getting Started for Instructors

To get started with Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB), you will need to create a Canvas course. From there, you can configure the tool and set it up for use with your Canvas quizzes.

For an overview of RLDB, you may wish to view this introductory video. It explains the basic features of Respondus LockDown Browser and how it deters cheating during proctored, online quizzes.

Add RLDB to your Course Navigation

The Respondus LockDown Browser tool is available in all Canvas courses. You will need to enable it in your course by editing the course navigation.

If you have any issues enabling LockDown Browser in your Canvas course, please send an email to canvashelp@case.edu with your class name and Canvas Course ID. 

Configure RLDB for your Canvas Quiz

The first thing you’ll need to do in your course is build your Canvas quiz. From there, select the LockDown Browser option on your Canvas course menu to configure RLDB for your quiz. Check out the Instructor Quick Start Guide (for New Quizzes) or the Instructor Quick Start Guide (for Classic Quizzes) for specific details.

Set Up a Practice Quiz (Recommended)

To ensure your first exam with RLDB runs smoothly, it’s recommended that you have students take an ungraded practice quiz that requires the use of LockDown Browser. Ideally, have students use the same computers/devices they'll later use with the graded quizzes, including the same network/Wi-Fi environment. The latter is especially important if you plan to have a large number of students starting the quiz simultaneously from a Wi-Fi network. Leave the practice quiz available for the duration of the semester, with unlimited attempts, so students can access it again if they use a different computer or Wi-Fi network.

Additional Resources and Support