The July update to the Windows and Mac versions of Respondus LockDown Browser will feature a new Auto Update function that starts when the application opens. 

To optimize the test proctoring experience, students must make sure they are using the latest version of RLDB before taking a Blackboard test if the secure browser is required. Prior to this new update, the check had to be manually completed and installed. The new feature will automatically check for updates and install them to ensure students are using the latest version.

NOTE: The July update must be manually installed for students to benefit from the auto-update function moving forward. Students must run the "Check for newer version" tool to download and install the update.

• For Windows users, start RLDB, select the "i" button from the toolbar. The version will be displayed and you can also click on "Check for Newer Version." The new version for Windows is 2.0.7.03.
• For Mac users, start RLDB and then select “About” from the toolbar. The version will be displayed as shown above, and you can click “Check for Update" to see if a newer version is available. The latest Mac version is 2.0.7.04.

Alternatively, students can run a fresh install using the UMBC-specific download link. 

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 

• What’s new in Ultra? | Known Issues 

• Open a ticket via RT

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with instructional technology staff

A new update to Respondus Lockdown Browser (RLDB) is available for students to download and install. This update is for Mac users and the Chrome extension. 

Students must make sure they are using the latest version of RLDB before taking a Blackboard test if the secure browser is required.

• For Chromebook users, the extension should auto-update the extension to version 0.2.0.52. However, if students don’t see this version, they can update the extension manually, or remove/re-install the Chrome extension. 
• For Windows users, start RLDB, select the “i” button from the toolbar. The version will be displayed and you can also click on “Check for Newer Version”. If a newer version is available, you'll have the option to download and install it.  
• At this time, Windows users do not have a new update, but should check for updates every time they launch the application before a test to verify they are using the latest version. The last known version for Windows is 2.0.7.01.
• NEW as of 8 PM ET: The Windows RLDB was updated to version 2.0.7.02.
• For Mac users, start RLDB and then select “About” from the toolbar. The version will be displayed as shown above, and you can click “Check for Update" to see if a newer version is available. The latest Mac version is 2.0.7.03.

Existing Mac/Windows installs of Respondus LockDown Browser will NOT be auto-updated at this time. Students must run the "Check for newer version" tool to download and install the update. Alternatively, students can run a fresh install using the UMBC-specific download link. 

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 

• What’s new in Ultra? | Known Issues 

• Open a ticket via RT

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with instructional technology staff

A new update to Respondus Lockdown Browser (RLDB) is available for students to download and install. Outdated versions of Respondus Lockdown Browser may not allow students to save short answer and essay questions while taking a Blackboard test due to an update in the underlying Chromium browser that powers the RLDB tool.

Students must make sure they are using the latest version of RLDB before taking a Blackboard test if the secure browser is required.

• For Windows users, start RLDB, select the “i” button from the toolbar. The version will be displayed and you can also click on “Check for Newer Version”. If a newer version is available, you'll have the option to download and install it.  The latest Windows version is 2.0.7.01.
• For Mac users, start RLDB and then select “About” from the toolbar. The version will be displayed as shown above, and you can click “Check for Update" to see if a newer version is available. The latest Mac version is 2.0.7.01.

Existing installs of Respondus LockDown Browser will NOT be auto-updated at this time. Students must run the "Check for newer version" tool to download and install the update. Alternatively, students can run a fresh install using the UMBC-specific download link.

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 

• What’s new in Ultra? | Known Issues 

• Open a ticket via RT

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with instructional technology staff

An updated release of a beta Chromebook extension for Respondus LockDown Browser is now available for assessments in both Original and Ultra Blackboard courses. This version of the Chromebook extension also supports Respondus Monitor. 

Please note: This is a beta extension, which means it will have some limitations.

• The setting must be enabled on a per test basis.
• There is no direct link to the Chrome extension. Students must click on the click on the same RLDB download link as the Windows/Mac versions to install for Chrome. 
• Pop-ups need to be enabled in Chrome to avoid students encountering a "can't open page" error.
• LockDown Browser’s internally linked “Help Center” is currently unavailable.
• Also not supported at this time:
• Instructor-created passwords passwords. Please do NOT remove the automatically generated passcode set by Respondus to secure the test environment.
• The “Early Exit” feature in LockDown Browser.
• LockDown Browser’s Calculator and Spreadsheet features aren’t currently supported.
• The extended keyboard functions (for adding symbols and special characters) isn’t currently available.

The how-to instructions for faculty and for students are posted to the FAQs. To report a bug/issue with the Chromebook beta, please open a support ticket with Respondus directly so your feedback is escalated with their developers. Be sure to indicate you are using LockDown Browser for Chromebook. 

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources

• Check our extensive FAQ collection 

• What’s new in Ultra? | Known Issues 

• Open a ticket via RT

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with instructional technology staff

It's a brand new year, and that means more opportunities to take advantage of free instructor trainings from Respondus. Learn how to use LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor to address the integrity of final exams. Or see how Respondus 4 allows you to easily create online tests and quizzes. 

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor 

This comprehensive training is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor proctoring with online exams. The training will cover: 

• How to use LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor to protect integrity and ensure student identity 
• The instructor and student perspective in each application 
• How to analyze proctoring results, including a feature that ranks exam sessions by risk 
• Best practices and tips for success with both applications

Register online:

• Wednesday, January 6 at 1 pm ET
• Thursday, January 7 at 2 pm ET
• Tuesday, January 12 at 3 pm ET
• Thursday, January 14 at 2 pm ET
• Tuesday, January 19 at 12 pm ET
• Thursday, January 21 at 3 pm ET
• Wednesday, January 27 at 1 pm ET

Respondus 4.0 (Windows only)

Find out how Respondus 4 allows you to create and manage exams that can be printed to paper or published to Blackboard, and how the Test Bank Network enables instructors to create online tests from official publisher test banks.

Register online:

• Thursday, January 21 at 1 pm ET

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:

The beta release of a new Chromebook extension for Respondus LockDown Browser is currently available for assessments in Original Blackboard courses. This version of the Chromebook extension also supports Respondus Monitor. 

Please note: This is a beta extension, which means it will have some limitations.

• It is ONLY available for Original courses/tests AND it must be enabled on a per test basis.
• Students must click on the click on the same RLDB download link as the Windows/Mac versions to obtain the extension link for installation. 
  
• Instructor-created passwords passwords for assessments are NOT currently supported. Please do NOT remove the automatically generated passcode set by Respondus to secure the test environment.
• The “Early Exit” feature in LockDown Browser isn’t currently supported.
• LockDown Browser’s Calculator and Spreadsheet features aren’t currently supported.
• The extended keyboard functions (for adding symbols and special characters) isn’t currently available.
• LockDown Browser’s internally linked “Help Center” is currently unavailable.

The how-to instructions for faculty and for students are posted to the FAQs. To report a bug/issue with the Chromebook beta, please open a support ticket with Respondus directly so your feedback is escalated with their developers. Be sure to indicate you are using LockDown Browser for Chromebook. 

At this time, the Chromebook extension does not support Ultra tests. UMBC continues to monitor development of this functionality.

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options: