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Respondus
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Respondus
Home > Academics > Online Education > Faculty Support > Teaching Resources > Tools for Assessment > Respondus

Respondus

Respondus is an online proctoring tool designed to monitor students' activities.

How to set up Respondus in Canvas

  1. Enable "Respondus" in your courses' navigation menu (under Settings)
  2. Locate the LockDown Browser Dashboard tool in the course (either from the navigation or a Course Tools menu). A list of quizzes in the course will be displayed.
  3. To change the settings, select Settings from the context menu to the left of the quiz title and select the desired option.
  4. Provide information for students on what to expect, how to prepare for, and where to get help, when taking an online proctored quiz
  5. Create a low-stakes practice Respondus quiz so students can become familiar with the software and testing environment prior to a "real" exam.

As part of our transition from Honorlock to Respondus, we have identified an issue that may affect some Canvas quizzes that were previously configured to use Honorlock. In some courses, a small piece of Honorlock code remains in the quiz instructions after the Honorlock integration was removed. This can prevent students from accessing or taking the quiz.

 

What should you do?

If you have quizzes that previously used Honorlock, we recommend reviewing them before students take the exam.

  1.  Open the quiz in Edit mode.
  2.  In the Rich Content Editor, select the HTML Editor (</>).
  3.  Look for the following Honorlock code (it will usually be at the very bottom)
    • <iframe id="hlinstructframe" src="https://app.honorlock.com/install/extension"...></iframe>
  4.  Delete that entire line of code. If the Honorlock code is not present, no action is needed.
    • highlight honorlock code and delete
  5.  If the quiz settings have an access code enabled, disable the access code.
    • Uncheck "require access code" if selected
  6.  Save the quiz.

 

If you experience any issues or need assistance, please contact the Online Education team. Thank you for your patience as we complete this transition.

We suggest including the following sample text in your Syllabus and Orientation Letter so students are informed and prepared with the necessary technology to complete an online proctored exam.

Using LockDown Browser and a Webcam for Online Exams

This course requires the use of Respondus LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

You will be prompted to download and install LockDown Browser on your device (Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or iPad) when accessing an exam in Canvas.  

Please note, LockDown Browser does not work on mobile devices.

To ensure LockDown Browser and the webcam are set up properly, do the following:

  • Start LockDown Browser, log into Canvas, and select this course.
  • Locate and select the Help Center button on the LockDown Browser toolbar.
  • Run the Webcam Check and, if necessary, resolve any issues.
  • Run the System & Network Check. If a problem is indicated, see if a solution is provided in the Knowledge Base. Troubleshooting information can also be emailed to our institution's help desk.

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

  • Select a location where you are comfortable having a video recording taken of yourself and your workspace environment. This area should also be free of distractions and interruptions.
  • Turn off all other devices (e.g., tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach.
  • Clear your desk of all external materials not permitted — books, papers, other devices, etc.
  • Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and that you’ve allotted sufficient time to complete it.
  • Remain at your device for the duration of the test.
  • If the device or networking environment is different than what was used previously with the Webcam Check and System & Network Check in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to starting the test.
  • To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
    • Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims.
    • Ensure your device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the device on your lap, a bed or other surface where the device (or you) are likely to move.
    • If using a built-in webcam, avoid tilting the screen after the webcam setup is complete.
    • Take the exam in a well-lit room and avoid backlighting, such as sitting with your back to a window.
  • Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

If you prefer not to utilize this online proctoring tool, please contact me to make arrangements for your exam to be proctored in person at the Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC).

Student Respondus Information & Support

Faculty Respondus Information & Support

Respondus & TLC - Proctored Exams

Need an alternative to online exam proctoring? The TLC Testing Centers provide exam proctoring with a live in-room proctor and eliminate concerns regarding student privacy! See below for how to allow students the option to have their exam proctored in person in the TLC Testing Center vs. online using Respondus.

How to give students the option for on-campus proctoring at the TLC

To allow students the option to have their exam proctored in person in the TLC Testing Center, follow these steps:

Instructor Steps

  1. Complete the TLC Test Proctor Request Form (please review FAQs prior to first submission).
  2. Instruct your student(s) to make an appointment on the TLC Testing Center webpage.

When the student arrives for their exam appointment, the testing clerk will enter a secure bypass code to allow the exam to be proctored in person without the use of Respondus. Please see below for more info about the student experience.

Student Steps

Students should visit the TLC Testing Center webpage to:

  • make their testing appointment at either of the COC campuses
  • read tips for testing at the TLC
  • learn how to schedule their exam

What to expect at the TLC Testing Center

When a students arrives for their in-person proctored exam appointment, they will present their photo identification to a Testing Clerk. The testing Clerk will review the exam rules (from TLC Proctor Request From) with student, and escort the student into exam proctoring room desk and/or computer.

  1. If exam is online & initiates Respondus, Testing Clerk will enter a secure bypass code to allow the exam to be proctored in person without the use of Respondus.
  2. Testing Clerk will monitor student's computer screen in real time via secure software, and will notify Instructor of any observed exam rule violations via email.

Is online proctoring right for my class?

While considering whether or not to ask students to use online proctoring software, please be aware of the concerns that students have expressed about the use of this type of tool. See below for recent news articles on online proctoring to provide additional perspectives for you to consider.

Adhering to Title V Standards

Title V Section 55005 - Publication of Course Standards requires that "[f]or each course offered, a community college shall make available to students through college publications all of the following facts before they enroll in the course:

….Whether the course is offered in a distance education format, and if so, include the following information:

  1. All online and in-person synchronous meeting days/dates and times;
  2. Any required asynchronous in-person activities;
  3. Any required technology platforms, devices and applications;
  4. Any test or assessment proctoring requirements."

This information can be disclosed to students via an orientation letter and in comments in the schedule of classes.

If you decide to ask students to use an online proctoring tool, we encourage you to:

  1. Inform students prior to registration what software and hardware they will need. You can do this via your Orientation Letter and in the comments in the schedule of classes
  2. Install the software on your personal computer in your personal space to understand the user experience
  3. Know how you will accommodate students with neuromuscular conditions or disabilities that prompt them to move their bodies in ways that don't conform to the parameters of this product
  4. Know how you will protect the privacy of non-students who are captured in the recording of the proctoring session (e.g. young children who cannot be left unattended by their parent)
  5. Know how you will accommodate students who cannot afford a device with a web cam or microphone
  6. Know how the settings you choose align with the California Privacy Rights Act.
  7. Provide the option for students to have their exam proctored in person in TLC if they prefer not to use proctoring software.

What other tools can I use to help ensure assessment integrity?

Please see below articles for best practices, strategies and ideas for creating authentic assessments without the use of proctoring software:

Webinars and Support

Upcoming webinars

These webinars will provide comprehensive training for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The sessions will provide detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus even more effective and easy to use.

Webinar Recording

View Respondus webinar recording from June 29, 2026

One-on-One Office Hours

Instructors using Respondus Monitor can schedule a 15-minute, 1-to-1 “office hours” session with a Respondus Trainer. Go to the LockDown Browser tool in Canvas, select the Respondus Monitor Settings for any exam, and use the “Questions?” button to schedule a session.

Schedule a Training

Would you like to schedule a training session for yourself, your department, or group of colleagues? Use the training request form to book a session at a time that suits your needs.