Respondus LBD on Your iPad

Here's what you can expect when you try to take an exam that has enabled Respondus proctoring services. In most cases, we recommend taking the exam with a computer (and not a Chromebook). If you only have an iPad available to take the exam, this guide will help.

Install Lockdown browser

First, you will need to install LockDown Browser. LockDown Browser is an app in the App Store on your iPad, so:

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Click on the Search icon
  3. Do a search for "Respondus LockDown Browser"
  4. Install the App.

Once you have installed the app, you will be able to run it.  The first time you run it you will need to do a search for Wichita State and select it as your institution. 

When it is time to take your exam, you will need to use LockDown browser (instead of Safari, Chrome, etc). Log in with your myWSU ID and find your course.

Please note:  LockDown browser does not store cookies about your previous sessions, so you will always have to log in, and you will always have to accept the cookies announcement popup when you first log in to Blackboard. 

Exam with Lockdown Browser

LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser is special internet browser for taking tests that locks your browsers and prevents you from being able to go to other apps or do anything else with your iPad while you are taking your exam. 

To take an exam with LockDown Browser:

  1. Make sure you are in a quiet space where you are not likely to be disturbed, and where you have a good Wifi signal. 
  2. Open Lockdown Browser.
  3. Log in to Blackboard
  4. Find your course, and navigate to the exam
  5. Click on the exam.
  6. Click "Begin"
  7. A popup will appear asking you to "Confirm App Self-Lock". Click Yes.
  8. Take your exam and click "Save and Submit" at the end of the exam.
  9. When you see the "Test Submitted" confirmation screen, click "Okay" to return to your course.
  10. Important: double click on your iPad's home button to show your app switcher panel, press LockDown Browser in that window and swipe up to completely close the app.  
Exam with LockDown Browser and Monitor

LockDown Browser with Monitor

LockDown Browser is special internet browser for taking tests that locks your browsers and prevents you from being able to go to other apps or do anything else with your iPad while you are taking your exam.  Monitor is an additional feature that uses your iPad's camera and microphone to record you while you are taking your exam.

To take an exam with LockDown Browser with Monitor:

  1. Make sure you are in a quiet space where you are not likely to be disturbed, and where you have a good Wifi signal. 
  2. Open Lockdown Browser.
  3. Log in to Blackboard
  4. Find your course, and navigate to the exam
  5. Click on the exam.
  6. Click "Begin"
  7. You will begin an 11-step process to get set up with Monitor and prepare to take your exam. 
    1. Terms of Use: Review these and click "agree" at the bottom of the page
    2. Orientation Check: Position your iPad in the spot where you will take the exam.  Monitor needs to be able to see you, so you need to prop up the iPad in a way that faces you. If you have a case or a stand that it can rest on, that is idea.
    3. Webcam check.  Monitor needs to be able to see your head and face for the duration of the exam, so use this screen to create a quick recording to make sure that the webcam can see you and the micrphones can hear you.
    4. Review the webcam results. Make sure the video and audio are good.  
    5. Student Photo. Use the app to take a picture of yourself by touching "take picture."
    6. Id Check. Hold up your WSU ID card in a way that is visible to the camera and take a picture of it.
    7. Environment Check: Pick up your iPad and create a video of the area in which you are taking your exam. This is important to demonstrate that you don't have resources you are not allowed to have available to you while you are taking the exam. 
    8. Review the Environment Check video
    9. Environment Check - Position. Make sure your iPad is back in position on your stand and has a good view of you while you are taking the exam.
    10. Additional Instructions. Read these instructions and click "Continue."
    11. Your exam is ready. Click "begin Exam"
  8. A popup will appear asking you to "Confirm App Self-Lock". Click Yes.
  9. Take your exam and click "Save and Submit" at the end of the exam.
  10. When you see the "Test Submitted" confirmation screen, click "Okay" to return to your course.
  11. Important: double click on your iPad's home button to show your app switcher panel, press LockDown Browser in that window and swipe up to completely close the app.  
Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Respondus LockDown Browser on the iPad

A handful of problems can crop up while you are trying to take an exam on your iPad. 

Important Notes

  1. Having a good wifi signal is important. If you lose your connection during the exam, you may need to start over, and this may require asking your instructor to reset your attempt.
  2. Lockdown Browser only allows one test attempt per session.  One of the challenges with using the iPad is that it keeps apps open in the background, so even when you "close" an app, it's not really close, it's just waiting for you to want it again.  This is why it's important to go to your app switcher after an exam and fully close the app by swiping up with it.

Problems and Possible Solutions

"Lockdown Browser: Your instructor hasn't enabled the use of a table..."

This error appears, unhelpfully, when students attempt more than one test in a given session of LockDown Browser. The remediation is:

  1. Close Lockdown browser
  2. Double Click on the home button and go to the App Switcher
  3. Press on the Lockdown Browser app and swipe up to remove it from the App Switcher.

  4. Return to the home screen and restart LockDown Browser and start again.

LockDown Browser stalls in the middle of the Setup

This problem appears to happen when there are problems with the Wifi signal. It may be necessary to move closer to the router or find a better location.