Respondus LockDown Browser Now Available in FASE

Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) is a custom web browser that creates a restricted testing environment for Quercus quizzes. It prevents students from navigating away from the quiz page or accessing digital tools that could compromise quiz integrity.

LDB blocks:

• Printing or screen capture
• Copy/paste
• Access to other websites
• Access to computer applications
• Keyboard shortcuts and right-click menus

LDB is not a proctoring tool. It simply restricts what students can do on their device during an in-person quiz.

Unlike online proctoring tools, Respondus LDB:

• does not monitor video or audio
• does not record the student’s screen
• does not use AI to analyze student behaviour

LDB is intended only for use in in-person, invigilated settings.

LockDown Browser works only with:

• Quercus Classic Quizzes
• Quercus New Quizzes

It does not support:

• Assignments
• Discussions
• External tools (e.g., Crowdmark)
• Remote or asynchronous exam monitoring

These limitation are important to note when designing assessments.

At this time, Respondus LockDown Browser is not installed or supported in FASE instructional labs, including the Engineering Computing Facility (ECF) computer labs.

Because LDB requires controlled installation, device configuration, and ongoing maintenance, it is currently available only for student-owned devices within FASE.
If you are interested in offering your quiz in an ECF lab setting, please contact the ECF team directly (ecfhelp@ecf.utoronto.ca) to discuss:

• Whether the lab environment is appropriate for your assessment,
• What support is available for delivering quizzes (or other types of assessments) in that space, and
• Whether any alternative lockdown or secure testing options are available.

To reserve an ECF lab, instructors must book the space through the Faculty Scheduling Office: uofteng.sched@utoronto.ca. 

We recommend contacting the ECF team and the Scheduling Office early in the term to ensure availability and to confirm that the lab environment supports your chosen assessment format.

Instructors  and support teams for divisions already using Respondus LDB (including Rotman, Rehabilitation Sciences, and UTSC) have reported the following limitations and challenges:

Device compatibility issues

• Older Macs (prior to macOS 11) cannot install LockDown Browser
• Macs may run slowly on large or image-heavy quizzes
• Chromebooks are not fully supported and often unreliable
• Students need admin privileges on their device to run the application

Network and performance challenges

• Students cannot see their Wi-Fi or clock while using LDB
• Large quizzes may load slowly, especially on some Mac devices
• Network interruptions may go unnoticed by students

Support expectations

• Respondus does not provide real-time technical support
• Proctors (i.e., instructors and TAs) need to be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that come up while students are writing the in-class quiz

Using Respondus LockDown Browser affects the student’s preparation, device requirements, installation tasks, and expectations during the quiz. A syllabus statement ensures that students have adequate time and information to prepare before taking a quiz with LDB.

Below is a simple and brief syllabus statement that you can modify as needed:

Use of Respondus LockDown Browser for Quercus Quizzes:

Some in-person quizzes in this course require the use of Respondus LockDown Browser, a custom web browser that restricts your ability to navigate away from the quiz environment in Quercus. LockDown Browser does not record or monitor you, but you must install the application on a compatible Windows or macOS laptop before completing any quiz that uses it. A practice quiz will be provided to help you test your setup, and instructions for downloading the browser and accessing the practice quiz will be posted in Quercus.

If you do not have a compatible device, contact the instructor as early as possible.

Here are several recommendations shared by other U of T divisions based on their experiences implementing Respondus LockDown Browser.

1. Run a mock quiz
   • A practice quiz helps students confirm that their device is compatible and that the browser is installed and working properly.
2. Provide a backup version of the quiz
   • Many divisions maintain a non-LDB version of the quiz that can be deployed quickly if a student encounters technical issues.
3. Communicate clearly and early
   • Students should know:
     • What LDB is and what it does
     • How to prepare their device
     • What support is available during the quiz
     • That LDB does not monitor them
4. Consider class size carefully
   • Large classes may require significant support due to device variability and network demands. Divisions generally recommend using LDB for small to mid-sized classes.

Respondus LockDown Browser must first be added to your course navigation menu. This is done the same way you enable or disable any other item in the Quercus navigation menu. If you need a refresher on how to modify your course menu, please refer to our guide: How do I modify the menu items on my course navigation menu?

Once LockDown Browser is added to your navigation:

1. Open the LockDown Browser link in the course menu.
2. Select Settings next to the quiz you want to secure.
3. Choose Require LockDown Browser and adjust any optional settings, including:
   • Access codes
   • Restricting students from exiting early
   • Allowing specific external websites
   • Enabling the calculator
   • Enabling the printing toolbar
4. Save your settings. Students will now be required to use LockDown Browser for that quiz.