Disabling Email, Instant Messages, and Alerts with Brightspace if you're using the Lockdown Browser

Richard.W.228

In a quiz's settings, under Timing & Display, you can disable Email, Instant Messages, and Alerts with Brightspace. If you're using the Respondus Lockdown Browser with the quiz, is it necessary or redundant to use the setting to disable access to email and instant messages? Is there any benefit to using the two settings together? Thank you.

Isidora.R.173

Hi Richard,

I hope you're doing well! Thanks for reaching out with your question.

Respondus LockDown Browser works by restricting access to other applications and tabs on the device being used for the quiz. If students are using a single device to take the quiz, enabling the quiz settings to disable email, instant messages, and alerts may be unnecessary, since the LockDown Browser already prevents students from navigating away from the quiz.

However, it’s important to note that the LockDown Browser doesn’t block access from other devices. If your organization’s configuration allows multiple sessions, students might be able to log in from a separate device and navigate through Brightspace. In that case, using both the LockDown Browser and the settings to disable email and instant messages could offer additional protection.

For more information on the LockDown Browser, here’s a helpful resource: About the Respondus LockDown Browser

You may also find this guide on preventing cheating in quizzes useful: Prevent Cheating

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Isidora

Richard.W.228

Thanks Isidora!

Best,
Rich