Respondus is assessment software that allows you to create and manage online tests delivered through Moodle. The College’s enterprise Respondus license includes two applications that provide professors secure online testing environments. LockDown Browser, and a digital proctoring system Respondus Monitor add flexibility for students to take tests in locations outside of the classroom. While several instructors at Spelman have adopted the Respondus tool, three instructors in Biology are utilizing the proctoring applications for most of the online tests they administer. Here’s what one instructor had to say about the tools:
Technology has made it possible to useclosed-book exam as an assessment tool outside the classroom. In Spring 2016, the Bio125 teaching team used the Respondus LockDown Browser and Webcam Monitor to proctor closed-book exams every weekend.
The implementation of this technology was prompted by unsatisfactory midterm class average, which was 12 points lower than 2015. A total of six closed book exams were administered every weekend after the midterm exam. Along with a few other adjustments, the new strategy helped the students develop a regular study habit and a realistic assessment of their own progress. In the final exam, the class average was 5 points higher than 2015, which demonstrates the benefit of using Respondus LockDown Browser and Webcam Monitor for assessment. For instructors already familiar with Moodle quizzing, it just takes a few more clicks to add these two security features. During the exam, the LockDown Browser prevents students from surfing the web, while the webcam Monitor captures a video of the student and automatically flags suspicious behavior. Since Moodle quiz performs automatic grading and item analysis on multiple-choice questions, this combination will allow the instructor to identify problematic areas instantaneously after an exam. It is highly recommended to start with low-stakes instead of high-stakes assignments, just to give students enough time to be familiar with the new test environment. If you are tired of printing exams and running Scantrons, you might want to consider taking these cool tools for a test run and save a couple of trees along the way.
Respondus offers virtual training sessions and webinars throughout the year. A list of upcoming webinars can be found here. Watch the videos below for an overview of Lockdown Browser and Monitor.
An Introduction to Lockdown Browser
An Introduction to Monitor
If you would like to schedule a Respondus training as an individual consultation, departmental training, or get access to Respondus, please contact the MIT Service Desk at x5400 or mitservice@spelman.edu.