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Updated: Aug. 24, 2021.
We are proud of our students as they continually demonstrate their commitment to honesty and academic integrity. Respondus Monitor is a form of AI-driven remote proctoring that records activity for review by your instructor. If your instructor suspects that you may have engaged in academic misconduct, the investigation process will reflect Laurier’s official policy and procedures.
In August 2021, Laurier announced a decision to transition away from the use of AI-driven remote proctoring software. Learn what this means for you.
Information and practical resources related to academic and wellness supports in the remote learning environment are available to students through the Remote Learning Hub. The Dean of Students Office also provides support related to academic disruptions and mental health challenges.
Your instructors have access to a variety of assessment tools supported by Laurier. The decision on what type of assessment tool an instructor might integrate in their course comes down to ensuring the tool – and the type of assessment – can effectively assess the stated course learning outcomes.
Video monitoring through software allows the university to “proctor” you when completing your test on a computer. If you are not comfortable being recorded using AI-driven remote proctoring tools during your assessment(s), then you are able to elect to receive an alternative assessment during the designated option period.
The software requires that you complete your test on a computer with broadband internet, a webcam, and microphone so that your test can be “proctored.” Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor have been reviewed and approved as a cloud solution through Laurier’s Privacy and Security Impact Assessment review process. All communication between your computer and Respondus is fully encrypted and no account or personally identifiable information is stored on any Respondus servers. The university recently announced that Laurier courses are transitioning away from the use of AI-driven promote proctoring solutions beginning in fall 2021, with the intention of discontinuing use by fall 2022.
During the designated option period, you have the option of being assessed without the use of Respondus Monitor using an alternative assessment method as chosen by your instructor.
The Lockdown Browser and Monitor software is available for download from your MyLS course homepage, from the "Quizzes" page, or directly from Respondus. When you install the Lockdown Browser software, the Monitor software is also downloaded and installed automatically. This software must be installed on a desktop or laptop computer (Mac or PC) or on an iPad tablet.
You need to access your course and the "Quizzes" tool using your regular browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). You will be prompted to launch the Lockdown Browser at the appropriate time. During the setup of Monitor, you will be able to see yourself in your computer’s monitor.
Note: Lockdown Browser and Monitor is not compatible with Chromebooks, any other tablet, or any smart phone.
It is necessary to test the software on your computer prior to completing any online exams which contribute to your grade in a course. Many of the issues that our students encounter are resolvable in advance with the technical assistance available. A Practice Quiz has been set up that requires you to use the Lockdown Browser and Monitor applications in order to test them prior to your first graded assessment which requires them. In some courses a unique practice quiz will be required prior to completing each online proctored graded assessment. Using your regular browser, on your MyLS course page, click on "Quizzes." On this page, you’ll find the Practice Quiz under the "Current Quizzes" heading.
If you cannot find the practice quiz in your course, click on "Self Registration" at the top of the MyLS homepage and join the Respondus Practice Quiz course to access one.
You are required to complete the Practice Quiz prior to the writing the actual tests and on the SAME computer you will use to write the real tests to ensure that Lockdown Browser and Monitor are working on your computer.
Note: Your online exams may not be available until you have taken the practice quiz.
Your MyLS course site contains a Practice Quiz which is set up using the assessment technology that will be used for your examination. You can take the Practice Quiz repeatedly, and at any time, to test your system functionality using different devices.
For example, if your exam is using Lockdown Browser and Monitor, your Practice Quiz will take you through the following sequence:
If Lockdown Browser and Monitor are not working when you are testing your system, please exit your quiz in MyLS, close Lockdown Browser and restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, use a regular browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.) to login to MyLS. Attempt to complete the practice quiz again – you will be prompted to launch the Lockdown Browser when it is required.
If you continue to experience difficulties with Lockdown Browser, please refer to the troubleshooting guide or click the "Help Center" button on the toolbar at the top of the Lockdown Browser window. Follow the prompts to complete the Webcam Check and System Check.
If you are unable to resolve the issue during your practice quiz, contact Educational Technologies for assistance (examquestions@wlu.ca). Be sure to test your computer and webcam prior to each test.
How do I prepare my technological environment?
How do I prepare myself?
How do I prepare my physical environment?
How do I complete the student photo, ID verification, environment check and facial detection?
With the Lockdown Browser and Monitor software activated, the online test is conducted much the same as any test you would write in a proctored setting in a classroom or exam hall. This means that your online assessment is subject to the Wilfrid Laurier University Exam Regulations and 12.2 Student Code of Conduct: Academic Misconduct.
If you encounter technical difficulties during your test or exam (e.g. a loss of internet connection or frozen screen) you should:
As long as your internet connection is live, MyLS will save your answers as you go, and they will be there when you login again to continue your exam. Rebooting your computer and restarting the exam will solve most problems but it is important to note that if you try to re-enter the test after the test’s start window has closed, or this does not rectify the problem, you will need to seek assistance. Immediately contact your instructor using their preferred email address and examquestions@wlu.ca (send one email to both!). Any delay in contacting your instructor may result in a zero on the test. Your instructor might grant permission for you to get back into the test without being penalized for time.
Assistance can also be obtained by emailing examquestions@wlu.ca.
Note: This support is available during scheduled midterms and finals. Response times will vary; however, it is important that you request assistance by sending a help request to this email address.
How am I expected to conduct myself?
You should not exit the exam until all questions are completed and you have submitted it for grading. If an unanticipated interruption occurs, briefly explain what happened by speaking directly to your webcam. Once your exam is over, contact your instructor to let them know what happened.
Only authorized Laurier faculty or staff will have access to the videos of your examination session along with identifying information such as your name. Respondus, the company that makes and sells the Lockdown Browser and Monitor software, does not have access to any identifying information. Respondus may use de-identified recordings for the purposes of quality control and research for improvement of the product.
After each test or exam, videos will be reviewed by the instructor (or their designate) to ensure academic integrity. Videos will be retained for two calendar years, as per Laurier’s guidelines on retaining course-related documents. At any time during this period the videos can be used as evidence in an academic misconduct investigation. There is a formal process to appeal any allegations of academic misconduct.
Respondus Guidelines: Quick Read