Enabling Respondus Monitor in Blackboard Learn Ultra

Respondus Lockdown Browser is a special browser that prevents students from copying and pasting text, taking screenshots, or opening other webpages or applications while taking an online test or survey in Blackboard.  Additionally, instructors can also use Respondus Monitor to record audio and video of the test taker during the test, allowing instructors to confirm student identity and serve as a greater deterrent to cheating.  Students must access tests using the Lockdown Browser, as students will be unable to access the test using a regular browser.

Respondus Monitor live proctoring is not recommended to be used for in-classroom exams. The reason for this is because the high density of students in a classroom can lead to Respondus Lockdown Browser flagging multiple students in view of the camera, as well as increased local network demands and degraded service performance.

image showing a respondus monitor session from a classroom with multiple faces in frame.

In-classroom exams can result in multiple individuals showing in the camera view, as the above image demonstrates.

Modifying Exam Settings

image of a test in a Blackboard Learn Ultra course with an arrow pointing to the test title

Settings for Respondus Lockdown Browser can be found in the test settings. To access the test settings, click on the title for the test you would like to edit.

image of the test settings in blackboard learn ultra

Click on the cog icon in the Assessment Settings panel in the upper right corner to modify settings.

image showing the Assessment Settings menu open to the Assessment Settings menu with the Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard link highlighed.

Under the Assessment Security heading, click on the Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard link. This link will open the Lockdown Browser Dashboard where you can apply the settings.

Selecting a Test

Image of the Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard with an arrow pointing to the button to the left of a test name. A menu is open with Modify Instructons outlined with a red circle.

You will now see a screen labeled Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard that lists the tests in your Blackboard Course.  To enable Respondus Lockdown Browser, click on the button to the left of the test name you wish to enable the Lockdown Browser for (1), and choose Settings (2)

Enabling Respondus Lockdown Browser

Image of the Lockdown Browser settings screen with the following annotations: 1.Lockdown Browser Settings: Select "Require Respondus Lockdown Browser for this exam" to enable Lockdown Browser.  The screen will expand to provide options for password settings. If you wish to not enter a password, press Save and Close at the bottom.2.Password Settings: If you wish to require a password to access the exam, enter the password in this space.3.Advanced Settings: Click this header to expand this section to show the following options:4.Lock students into the browser until exam is completed. Selecting this option will prevent students from closing the browser. Selecting this option will expand to show an additional option to enter a password to allow students to exit the exam early. With this item unselected, the default behavior is to require students to type a reason for exiting the exam5.Allow students to take this exam with an iPad: Select this option to allow students to take the exam on their iPads using the Lockdown Browser app.6.Allow specific students to access this exam with screen readers: This option allows selected students to use screen readers when taking the exam. Selecting this option will expand the section to show a text box where usernames can be entered, separated by commas.7.The screen will now expand to ask if you want to monitor the test using a webcam.  If you do not want to use a webcam, choose the option labeled "Don't require Respondus Monitor for this exam.8.When you are finished, Click Save and Close.
  1. Lockdown Browser Settings: Select "Require Respondus Lockdown Browser for this exam" to enable Lockdown Browser.  The screen will expand to provide options for Password Settings and Advanced Settings
  2. Advanced Settings: Click this header to expand this section to show the following options:
  3. Lock students into the browser until exam is completed: Selecting this option will prevent students from closing the browser. Selecting this option will expand to show an additional option to enter a password to allow students to exit the exam early.  With this item unselected, the default behavior is to require students to type a reason for exiting the exam
  4. Allow access to specific external web domains: Select this option to allow students to access approved websites during the exam
  5. Enable Calculator on the toolbar: Select this option to enable the use of an on-screen calculator
  6. Enable Printing from the toolbar: Select this option to allow prenting.
  7. The screen will now expand to ask if you want to monitor the test using a webcam. To require webcam monitoring, select Require Respondus Monitor for this exam.
  8. When you are finished, Click Save and Close.

Setting up Webcam Monitor Settings

Image of the respondus monitor introductory splash screen.

When setting up  Respondus Monitor, you will be presented with the following splash screen with information about using Respondus Monitor. Click the Continue to Respondus Monitor to continue with setup.

Respondus Monitor Initial Setup

image showing the option for webcam or webcam plus screen recording.

After selecting to require Respondus Lockdown Browser, you will be presented with the option to record either the Webcam Only, or the Webcam and Screen.

Setting up the Startup Sequence

Image of the Webcam Monitor setup screen with the following annotations: 1.Webcam Check: The webcam check ensures that the student's microphone and webcam is working correctly2.Student Photo: The Student Photo takes a picture of the student, which is saved with the student's test session3.Show ID: Show ID requests that students present a Rocket Card or other identifying document to the camera.4.Environment Check: The Environment Check requires students to take a video of their environment.5.Additional Instructions: If you want to provide addtional details to students, click Edit Text next to Additional Information to enter additional instructions.The following options are available by expanding the section labeled Advanced Settings:6.Check the first checkbox to allow another application to access the microphone during the exam.7.Check the second checkbox to make the video available for viewing on mobile devices.8.Enter your demo student username in the space provided to test the product as a student. This is not included in the institutional seat limit, nor is it subject to a charge.9.When you are finised, click Save and Close.

After setting up preferences for webcam and screen recording, you will be presented with the Startup Sequence. Instructors can check or uncheck the checkboxes for which items to include in the startup sequence, but they cannot change the order.

  1. Webcam Check: The webcam check ensures that the student's microphone and webcam is working correctly. This option is required.
  2. Additional Instructions: If you want to provide additional details to students, click Edit Text to enter additional instructions.
  3. Guidelines + Tips: Check this option to show guidelines and tips to students while they are taking the exam.
  4. Student Photo: The Student Photo takes a picture of the student, which is saved with the student's test session
  5. Show ID: Show ID requests that students present a Rocket Card or other identifying document to the camera.
  6. Environment Check: The Environment Check requires students to take a video of their environment. Click Edit Text to provide custom instructions for students.
  7. Facial Detection Check: The Facial Detection Check determines if the student's face is in the camera frame while taking the exam. This option is required.

Setting up Facial Detection Options

Image showing facial detection options for respondus lockdown browser

The next set of options will allow you to configure facial detection during the exam.

  1. Prevent student from starting the exam if the student's face cannot be detected. Enabling this option will prevent the exam from being started if the student's face cannot be identified.
  2. The second option will notify students if their face cannot be detected at any point during the exam. If you allow students to use external resources (e.g. a text book or formula sheet) it may be helpful to disable this feature.

Setting up Advanced Options

Image showing advanced settings for Lockdown Browser and monitor.

You will now see a section labeled Advanced Settings. Under this section, you will see the following options:

  1. Allow the use of an iPad for this exam: Check this option to allow students to use iPads to take the exam. Note: Screen recording is not available for iPads.
  2. Allow this exam to additionally be delivered in a proctored lab: Check this option to allow students to take the exam in a proctored setting without the Lockdown Browser requirement. You will then be prompted to enter a password to allow for students to bypass Monitor.
  3. Enable Show Your Work step at the end of exam: Check this option to prompt students to show notes or scratch paper to the camera at the end of the exam.
  4. Enter a demo student username for use by the instructor: If you wish to use your student preview account to test the exam, enter the preview username in the space provided.

Finishing Up

Image of the Save and Close button in Respondus

When finished, click the Save and Close button to save settings for Respondus Monitor.

Finishing Up

Image of the Lockdown Browser dashboard with an arrow pointing to the X in the upper right hand corner

Once you have enabled Lockdown Browser, click the X button in the upper right hand corner to close the Lockdown Browser Dashboard.

Image of the Assessment Settings page with an arrow pointing to the Save button.

The text under the Respondus section under Assessment Security will be updated to read: Students will need to use Respondus Lockdown Browser to complete thes Assessment.

When you are finished, click the Save button to save the Lockdown Browser requirement.

Image of the exam link in the content view with the Proctored tag on screen.

After you save the exam settings, you will return to the course content view. A Proctored tag will appear next to the exam due date indicating the Lockdown Browser requirement has been enabled.