Password and Respondus LockDown Browser information

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The cartoon above is used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES by Dr. Nilsson, South Texas College, scanned from http://simmonsatshowcase.wikispaces.com/file/view/Testing_Cartoon.jpg/33641679/Testing_Cartoon.jpg




Before you read the information about the Respondus LockDown Browser, some quizzes in this class have passwords. Why?

Answer x To make students read instruction pages. Many students have the idea that it is "unnecessary" to read class instructions and will therefore have problems with the course. To compel students to go to this instruction page -- and while there hopefully READ THE PAGE -- the password information has been located on a pertinent place.
Answer x For final exam security reasons. Some students, who have the idea mentioned above, miss the final exam. Unlike quizzes, the final exam can only be attempted once and over a limited time period. Having students get used to finding passwords ahead of time has reduced this problem.



Note which reason was listed first!


Technology integration in education

x As humankind proceeds into the 21st century everything we do is becoming increasingly integrated with technology. Education is no exception, and in this web-enhanced class the exams require special downloadable software -- Respondus LockDown Browser. In open book exams you can take as many times as you wish, the reason for using it is to prevent students from printing the exams, rather than for proctor reasons. After downloading a version of Respondus LockDown Browser specific for STC to your computer (if you use an STC computer it is already downloaded) it is easy to use. When required -- as for the exams in this class -- you just use that browser when you log in to Blackboard instead of the regular browser.


Note for this semester: The requirement for the Respondus LockDown Browser has been removed -- due to problems with the new Blackboard platform -- for all assignments except MAYBE the Final Exam at the end of the semester!


What is Respondus LockDown Browser?

x Respondus LockDown Browser is a special browser that increases the security of assessments (tests) by locking down the testing environment within Blackboard. When you use Respondus LockDown Browser you cannot print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an assessment is started, you are locked into it until you submit it for grading. (Supports Windows and Mac OS X 10.3.9+. If you have an older version of Mac OS, you must either update or use another computer.)

x To take the exams you must login to Blackboard using Respondus LockDown Browser. Then you take the drill as usual, and when you submit the drill you leave the "LockDown" environment. Do not use Respondus LockDown Browser for anything else. Before you start taking the drill you must type in password. (Keep reading for password information.).

x If you need to download the browser you will find a link on the same page where you login to Blackboard. Be aware that the appropriate Respondus LockDown Browser must be used when taking an assessment requiring the browser. For example, if you are taking an STC online course, you will need to download, install and use the STC Respondus LockDown Browser. A UT Pan Am Respondus LockDown Browser will not work.


Passwords


Whether you have to use Respondus LockDown Browser or not, before clicking to start a quiz you must fill in the password. DO NOT give away the password. The password for most "tests" located in the regular course shell is: exam

(The password is case specific -- all small letters.)


For General Biology II students: The passwords for the Virtual Labs (Lab Practicum Reviews and Lab Practicum I and II) are NOT identical to the password given above. The information is NOT located here. Instead, when you are ready to work with the lab, navigate to the lab instruction folder on Blackboard Plaza. If you read the instructions inside the folder you will find the password.

x Again, the password is to make sure that students read certain information, so DO NOT give away the password. All students must go to the folder ANYWAY, to read up on the lab in order to understand the lab. If a student get the password by cheating -- asking another student for it (who then also is cheating if giving it away) -- chances are that student will miss much needed information... Read instructions in the Lab Practicum Review folder to find the password for the review and practicums (lab tests).



The password for the Town Hall "Key" Quiz -- also sometimes called the Evolution Worksheet Quiz, located in the Town Hall course shell (the shell is not open at the beginning of the semester -- when is posted in the Semester Calendar) -- is located on "The Preface" -- one of the reading assignments for the Town Hall "Evolution Related" discussions. DO NOT give away the password. Click on the Town Hall button below to get to the Town Hall information page. Scroll down for the link to "The Preface". Read The Preface to find the password for the Town Hall "Key" Quiz.

Bu_TownHallM_Gre300_dgretxt
You may start the navigation to the Evolution instructions
and the reading assignments here. This link is also available
on the Class Hub page by clicking on "Class Discussions" or "Town Hall Meeting".
The discussion bulletin boards are located on the extra Town Hall course shell.




x If you want a direct link to "The Preface" from this page, click: HERE. Just remember that you need to be able to find this page the "normal" way -- navigating here through the password locater page is NOT the normal way...



Dr. Nilsson















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