Any test created manually or with the Test Generator can be delivered as a secure online exam. Using Browser Lock with an online exam prevents academic dishonesty and focuses the learner’s attention on the exam. With Browser Lock, learners cannot access other browser tabs, search engines, open other programs on their device, or view additional monitors connected to their device.
What Is Browser Lock
Browser Lock uses Respondus to:
- Automatically start the exam in full-screen mode to prevent the learner from viewing or interacting with other applications while taking the exam.
- Prevent learners from opening additional browser tabs or otherwise exiting full-screen mode (including with keyboard controls).
- Prevent learners from opening additional browser windows OR opening / accessing other device applications (including keyboard controls), unless allowed in the exam's Advanced Integrity Settings.
- Prevent learners from viewing applications, content, or other information on an additional monitor connected to the device.
- Prevent learners from opening notes or a search engine on an external monitor and taking the exam on a separate device screen.
- Prevent learners from using screen share or web conferencing tools, unless allowed in the exam's Advanced Integrity Settings.
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Require learners to complete the exam in one sitting. Learners cannot exit Respondus for EchoExam unless they submit their exam attempt.
Create a New Exam With Browser Lock
- From a web browser, go to your region's login page:
- Enter your email address and click Sign In.
If you are part of multiple institutions, from the dropdown, choose your institution and click Sign In.
- Enter your password and click Sign In.
- From the My Library tab, select Tests from the menu.
- Click on the three vertical dots to open the action menu on an existing test and select New Exam.
You may also click New Exam within the Test Editor.
- Populate the General Information.
Select the course your exam will be associated with. Add optional exam instructions for assigned learners.
- Click Next.
- Optionally, set the Availability.
Leaving the Start and Due Date / Time empty allows learners to access and submit the exam anytime. Any time limits on the test or questions will still apply.
- Click Next.
- Set the Scoring options.
Configure the number of allowed exam attempts and set thresholds based on points or percentage scores. The At Risk and Review thresholds will mark learner attempts with those statuses in the instructor report. The Passing threshold will mark learner attempts with either pass or fail on all reports.
- Click Next.
- Choose the Settings.
Configure the exam settings. Control how learners interact with the exam, ensure academic integrity, and choose what they see on the exam report.
- In Integrity Settings, enable Browser Lock.
You will see an Exit Password displayed for Browser Lock. This password can be provided to a learner if you would like to allow them to exit Respondus for EchoExam in the middle of an attempt without being penalized. Remember that providing this password to learners will allow them to exit full-screen mode and other Browser Lock features without submitting their attempt. The password is available on the Exam settings page at any time.
- Optionally, under Advanced Integrity Settings, configure additional settings for browser lock. Choose specific URLs or additional applications that learners can access during the exam.
- Allow Specific URLS - Enter allowed URLs, separated by a comma. The URLs must also be included in the question, narrative, or case study as hyperlinks, not just plain text.
- Allow External Applications - Select one or more options from the approved list.
- EchoVideo
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
- Read&Write
- Zoom
- Select the Learners from the dropdown.
Select learners that will be assigned to take this exam. Course roster is selected by default.
- Click Save.
Your draft exam has been saved to the course.
- Click the X to close the Exam Saved modal, or click Go to Course to close the Exam Saved modal and go to the course where the exam was created.
When you click Save, your exam is created within the selected course but is not yet available to learners. You must access My Courses > Exams and click Assign to make the exam immediately available or available at the start date / time you selected.
If the test is interrupted due to the internet going down, losing power, etc., learners can reopen the browser to continue where they left off. In some very extreme cases (i.e., a power loss forces a computer to restart and then a system check is required, etc.) Respondus might detect suspicious activity. If this occurs, learners may be required to enter the Browser Lock password to continue.