Blackboard (LMS) - Implement Respondus Lock-Down Browser

Quick View

Summary:

Install Respondus Lockdown Browser building block in Blackboard. This is a tool for on-line quizzes. It provides an option for instructors to address academic integrity concerns. Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Blackboard. Students are locked into the assessment and are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications until the test is completed. The instructor uses the building block to select “Restricted Browsing” on a test to requiring the student use the Lockdown browser. When the student attempts to take the test, the student will be required to install the browser the first time.

The client download can be hosted with Respondus or locally. The plan is to just use the Respondus links because with that we will always have the latest version available and we won’t have to re-create their install decision tree (Mac or PC, etc.). E-mail support for this product is available from Respondus for instructors and students.

Start Date:

November 5, 2008

Go Live:

February 13, 2009

End Date:

February 13, 2009

Current Milestone:

02/11/2009 - Browser installed on UTO site and classroom image.

Stage:

Recently Released - Completed in last 3 months.

People

Sponsor/Champion:

Adrian Sannier, Vice President and University Technology Officer

Lead Customer:

Marc Van Horne

Project Manager:

Larry Price, Ayca Darcan

Contact for more information:

Larry.Price@asu.edu

Associate VP University Technology:

Bob Nelson

University Technology Director:

Katherine Ranes

More Info

Source:

Internal

Priority:

Medium

Scope:

1) Acquire product license (funding to be contributed from Distance Learning budget)
2) Determine hosted vs. locally deployed methods
3) Test browser in ASU test environment (which is Blackboard Dev env)
4) Test browser in ASU Labs/Classrooms
5) Develop material for student and instructor distribution
6) Deploy to production Blackboard environment

Notes:
Item 1) To meet the aggressive timeline of the project, we will start with 90 day free license and then upgrade to purchased license. We will also start with Tempe campus, although the contract conversations were done based on all 4 campuses and all student population numbers. Grant Getz can connect us to the other campuses Computer clusters management teams.

Item 2) It is decided to have Respondus provide the hosting services for the Browser.

Item 5) Larry has two pages from Respondus URL explaining all needed. He'll include these 2 pages indicate them in Helpwiki. Helpcenter will also include URLs.

Opening the software to other ASU campuses after Tempe campus and considering whether to purchase annual software maintenance contracts can be left to Phase 2. It may be good to use the software for a while before deciding the annual software upgrade maintenance contract. The price range is not high so financials is not expected to be an obstacle.

If software is decided to be opened up to all campuses, the communication can be handled by Chris for Provost's office to inform all instructors.

All Milestones and Schedule:

11/12/08 - Receive approval and plan project schedule (done)

12/11/2008 - Connie Roberts - Pilot License Contact Information completed and faxed to sales department; waiting to receive license code and software to install. (milestone met, license received on 12/19)

12/29/2008 - Change Control request - Install LockDown browser into development on 12/31/2008. (done on Jan 5th, due to Jim Salverson being on vacation last week)

1/5/2009 - 1/9/2009 - Marc Van Horne, Larry Price, Luke Dorsett - Begin testing in development (Melissa is excluded as she is on leave until Jan 5th). (done)

1/6 - 1/12 - Melissa Verschage - Documenting instructions in Help Center and Help Wiki. (done)

1/12/2009 - Jim Salverson - Install Respondus LockDown Browser into production. (done)

01/12 to 16/2009 - Marc Van Horne, Larry Price, Melissa Verschage, Luke Dorsett - Begin testing in production. (done)

01/16-23/2009 - End testing in production (done) and communication to instructors and make Help instructions available. (Mark van Horne, Larry Price)

1/20-23/2009 - Larry Price - Contact Grant Getz about the LockDown Browser and putting the client piece in the Sites image for Spring. Status as of 1/30/09: The software has been installed in the dev room. Larry tested the PC side. Another person tested the MAC side. There is one small issue with the image that needs to be tested the week. Feb/2. Larry will communicate to Marc van Horne and Jill Schiffelbein when it is complete. Jill has the list of instructors who are piloting it.

02/11/2009 - Larry Price - Issues were resolved with the site image. Audio and video included in a quiz must be embedded in the the Question of the quiz to work in order hear or view it within the LockDown browser. Grant Getz and Robert Phillips pushed out the LockDown browser to all UTO supported machines in the sites and classrooms in all sites. Help Desk has been informed. Marc van Horne has been informed. Project is complete.

Deliverables:

Lock-down browser available for ASU use. This feature is seen as a benefit for planning for large on-line sections.

Risk & Threats:

Ongoing funding for product maintenance licensing
Limited timeframe for installation given academic calendar

Links

Respondus Vendor Website