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