Answered By: Jenny Darrow
Last Updated: Sep 09, 2024     Views: 28

What do I need to know about LockDown Browser?

Faculty have access to the Respondus LockDown Browser, a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Canvas. When students use Lockdown Browser to take a quiz, they are unable to print, copy, visit other websites, access other applications, or close a quiz until it is submitted for grading. 

Getting started documentation, video tutorials, and best-practice guides are available in the LockDown Browser dashboard located from the Canvas course menu. Best-practices can be found here and a guide for students can be found here which includes critical information about the different LDB behavior when using New Quizzes (icon is a solid rocket) and Classic Quizzes (icon is an outline of a rocket). 

Here are a couple of tips that are not in the guides:

  • There is a known LockDown Browser issue with 2-factor authentication for students using the fingerprint reader on a Mac. 
  • LDB won’t work if a student has video editing or screen capture software installed on their device and will ask the student to uninstall it to proceed with the LDB quiz
  • LDB won’t work on the Canvas Student App
  • Chromebooks users - "...to install the new extension to a student-owned Chromebook, students will need *to use the regular LockDown Browser installation link for your school (they will NOT be able to search for the app directly from the Chrome web store.)  The LockDown Browser installation link will direct students to the Chrome web store, at which point they should select “Add to Chrome” to install the LockDown Browser Extension". KSC LDB download