Best Practices for Exam Setup

To minimize technology issues that may arise while using Respondus, please do the following when setting up the exam:

Practice Quiz and Help Center

Ensure your first exam using Respondus Monitor runs smoothly! Have students take an ungraded practice quiz that requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam, before taking a graded exam.

Direct students to use the Help Center prior to their first exam. With LockDown Browser open, log into the course and select the Help Center button from the toolbar. From there, run the Webcam Check and the System Check to make sure everything is working properly. If a problem is indicated, students can search for a solution in the Knowledge Base or open a support ticket.

Leave the practice quiz available for the duration of the course, with unlimited attempts, so students can check their setup from any computer they might use during an exam.

For more information, please visit the Canvas guide called:
What quiz types can I create in a course?

Syllabus or Module Information

Include information for your students about Respondus Monitor in your course syllabus or as a page within your course modules. This information should include Baylor's unique Respondus Lockdown Browser download link, information about the Practice Quiz, and how students should get support if they encounter problems installing or using Respondus Lockdown Browser or Monitor.

For more information, please visit the Respondus page:
Respondus Monitor Resources

The following is a sample statement provided by Respondus which can be copied, pasted, and customized with your Practice Quiz information into your course syllabus or content page about Respondus Monitor.

Using LockDown Browser and a Webcam for Online Exams

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Then download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=755512061

To ensure LockDown Browser and the webcam are set up properly, do the following:

Start LockDown Browser, log into Canvas, and select this course.
Locate and select the Help Center button on the LockDown Browser toolbar.
Run the Webcam Check and, if necessary, resolve any issues.
Run the System & Network Check. If a problem is indicated, see if a solution is provided in the Knowledge Base. Troubleshooting information can also be emailed to Baylor's Help Desk.
Exit the Help Center and locate the practice quiz named [NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: CREATE A BRIEF PRACTICE QUIZ AND INSERT NAME OF QUIZ HERE; IF NECESSARY, INCLUDE LOCATION OF QUIZ].
Upon completing and submitting the practice quiz, exit LockDown Browser.

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

Select a location where you are comfortable having a video recording taken of yourself and your workspace environment. This area should also be free of distractions and interruptions.
Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach.
Clear your desk of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices.
Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it.
Remain at your device for the duration of the test.
If the computer or networking environment is different than what was used previously with the Webcam Check and System & Network Check in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to starting the test.
To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
- Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims
- Ensure your device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surface where the device (or you) are likely to move
- If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete
- Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window

Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

In-class Quizzes

If you are giving a Canvas quiz in class, it is acceptable to use Respondus LockDown Browser, but please do not use Respondus Monitor. Due to network bandwidth limitations, Respondus Monitor may not perform properly in a classroom setting and could cause the quiz to not load for students.

One Question at a Time

Set Canvas to only show students one question at a time. This practice helps eliminate browser or Internet connection bandwidth issues that might occur by trying to load the entire exam at once. This also helps Canvas record a student's progress through a quiz in the Quiz History more easily since it will be able to see exactly when a student advances from one question to the next.

For more information, please visit the Canvas guide called:
How can I create a quiz where students only see one question at a time?

Disable Locking

Disable the “Lock students into the browser” option in LockDown Browser settings to allow the students to close the exam and get back into it if they have issues. As the instructor, you will be able to see which students did this and read an explanation they are required to provide.

For more information, please visit the Respondus guide called:
Allowing students to exit early from an exam.

Adjust Timing

Whenever possible, expand your test availability time frame. Provide a range of days or hours that the test is available to provide your students flexibility in taking their exam. Take advantage of Canvas’s ability to control the start and end times for exams rather than forcing all of your students to begin an exam at exactly the same time. This way, if students do encounter issues, they have a reasonable opportunity to attempt to resolve those issues before needing to complete their exam.

For more information, please visit the Canvas guide called:
How do I make a quiz available before or after the due date?