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AISR has purchased a site license to help improve the computer-based testing options at Jefferson. These new tools make it easier to create new online exams, improve test security, and decrease problems such as accidentally closing the exam window.
The application Respondus is a tool for formatting test questions which can be loaded into Pulse. Respondus is able to pull down existing tests or test pools from Pulse – so if you have already taken the time to enter your questions into Pulse, that effort wasn't wasted. Respondus also accepts a much larger variety of test item import formats, making it easier to load items from Word or Excel.
Respondus Features
- Create exams and assessments offline using a Windows interface
- Support up to 15 question types, including calculated and algorithmic formats
- Import questions from MS Word (including embedded images), rich-text, QTI and tab/comma delimited formats
- "Spell check" an entire exam file (includes dictionaries for American English, Canadian English, British English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, and a comprehensive medical dictionary)
- Add tables, bulleted lists, font changes, and enhanced formatting (e.g. bold, italics) just like in a word processor
- Insert mathematical and scientific symbols using the Respondus Equation Editor
- Embed graphics, audio, and video without writing or viewing the underlying HTML
- Resize graphics and convert them to JPEG format with one click
- Add links to multimedia content on other servers with the Web Links tool
When taking a test that requires the LockDown Browser, students click on this application instead of Internet Explorer, Firefox or some other web browser. The LockDown Browser is not available to students and is installed in the Learning Resources Centers on campus. The LockDown Browser prevents a user from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during an assessment. The LockDown Browser supports all of the existing Pulse test formats and conditions you already use. If an online exam or assessment requires that Respondus LockDown Browser be used, the exam won't be accessible with a standard web browser.
LockDown Browser Features
- Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized
- Assessments cannot be exited until submitted by users for grading
- Task switching or access to other applications is prevented
- Printing functions are disabled
- Print Screen and capturing functions are disabled
- Copying and pasting anything to and from an assessment is prohibited
- Right-click menu options are disabled
- Browser menu and toolbar options are disabled, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop
- Function keys are disabled
- Source code for the HTML page cannot be viewed
- Over 250 screen capture, messaging, screen-sharing and network monitoring applications are blocked from running
- URLs cannot be typed by the user
- External links don't compromise the "locked" testing environment
- Pages from the assessment aren't cached or stored in Internet Explorer's history listing
- Assessments that are set up for use with Respondus LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers
If you would like to have a copy of Respondus to get started using this software, contact Dr. Tony Frisby at Tony.Frisby@jefferson.edu. In the relatively short time we've had the LockDown Browser on campus, I can already tell you it has reduced the number of test resets due to students accidentally closing the browser window or loosing the connection with Pulse.
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