LockDown Browser FAQ

Compatibility

Q: Do we need to purchase licenses or use an LMS in order to use LockDown Browser with Aware?

A: No, if your district uses Eduphoria and has Aware then you do NOT need to purchase any licenses. The only licenses needed are for Eduphoria and Aware.  

Q: If our district does use an LMS (Schoology, Canvas, Blackboard, etc) how can LockDown Browser work with our LMS?

A: Eduphoria’s LockDown Browser will only work with our online assessments. If you embed Eduphoria’s online testing URL in your LMS system, a student could take an Aware assessment using LockDown Browser.

Q: What browsers are compatible with LockDown Browser? 

A: All major browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Q: What devices can be used with LockDown Browser?

A: Windows devices and MacOS will have the best experience with LockDown Browser. Chromebooks have a specific App required for LockDown Browser use, as do iPads. 

Virtual machines and virtual machine software are incompatible with LockDown Browser. 

Q: What is needed to make LockDown Browser work on our District Chromebooks?

A: Please visit the LockDown Browser section of the Online Help Guide for more information about installing and using LockDown Browser on district managed Chromebooks.

Q: Can LockDown Browser be installed on multiple devices at once? 

A: Lab install requires an IT administrator to ship the application to multiple devices at once, which is a process specific to each school district. For this reason, we are unable to provide step-by-step directions. For more information, please contact your district IT administrator. 

Q: How does LockDown Browser function on Chromebooks? 

A:The Eduphoria LockDown Browser for Chromebook is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment.  When students use the locked browser to access an assessment, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications.  Students are locked into an assessment until it is submitted for grading.

The Eduphoria LockDown Browser for Chromebooks is a Chrome App that can only be run in kiosk mode when the Chromebooks are centrally managed with Chrome Device Management.

Note: If you are experiencing issues with Text to Speech on Chromebooks, please check your configuration settings or reach out to a Google representative. Because districts manage Chromebooks in different ways, Eduphoria will likely be unable to assist with Text to Speech issues on managed Chromebooks.

Security

Q: When LockDown Browser is enabled by the test author, does the student have the option to use LockDown Browser?

A: If LockDown Browser has been enabled for the assessment then the student must use LockDown Browser or they cannot take the assessment.

Q: Is LockDown Browser just as secure as the STAAR Online Assessment?

A:No, but it is very close in security measures. With considerations such as extended time on assessments and being able to take a test during multiple class periods, our LockDown Browser does give students the option to exit the test and then come back into the assessment if needed. Eduphoria is currently working on adding a button that the test author can turn on that does require a student to submit an assessment before being allowed to exit the test. This will mean that if a student does not complete answer choices before submitting, they will be marked incorrect. 

Q: Will LockDown Browser allow for the students to use their camera or a product like Zoom while taking an assessment? If a student has a question during the test, can they communicate with their teacher?

A: Yes. Please visit the LockDown Browswer Whitelist Option article for more information about how to whitelist applications. 

Q: Does LockDown Browswer pixelate to prevent pictures being taken? 

A: If no other applications are allowed during the assessment, LockDown Browser will prevent images/screenshots from being captured. No applications can be whitelisted in this case. 

Test Features

Q: Does LockDown Browser keep track of the time a student spends on the assessment?

A: No, it does not. A teacher can watch the live proctoring screen to see about how long a student spends taking an assessment.

Q: Can a calculator be used while taking an online assessment with LockDown Browser?

A: Yes, if the test author turns on the calculator option under the administration tab for the assessment then the calculator can be used by every student.