This document provides instruction on downloading and testing the Respondus LockDown Browser application on iPad devices. The Respondus add-on enables students to use an iPad to take assessments that require LockDown Browser.
1. Instructions to Download
The iPad edition of LockDown Browser by Respondus Inc. is available to download from the Apple App Store here.
No configuration of the LockDown Browser application itself is required. Earlier versions of LockDown Browser did require setting up the iPad with “Guided Access.” That is no longer necessary as a newer feature of iPadOS, called “App Self Lock,” is used, which also requires no configuration.
2. Testing
- Open the Safari browser on the iPad and enter your district's unique SchoolCity Student Portal URL, which, for most districts is: online.schoolcity.com/*insert your district-specific subdomain*
- Example: online.schoolcity.com/abcunified
- Example: online.schoolcity.com/abcunified
- Login using a test student account’s credentials. Your district will likely have the “Z TEST” accounts to use for this purpose.
- Tap on the Assessments menu in Student Portal
- Locate an assessment with the LockDown Browser set to be required and that has the test student activated then tap the start button to open it.
- Safari prompts with “Open in LockDown?” message. Tap Open to continue.
- A "Confirm App Self-Lock" message will display. Tap on Yes in order to start the test. The iPad is now locked until the student completes or exits the assessment.
- The LockDown Browser will display the message shown above when it starts.
- After the assessment is completed or exited, the LockDown Browser app will appear as above. The student can return to the Home screen of the iPad using the Home button or appropriate gesture, depending on the version of iPad being used
3. Troubleshooting
The Error message shown above displays if a student taps No to the “Confirm App Self-Lock” prompt. The student must tap OK, then return to Safari and start the assessment again from Student Portal.
If a student remains on the Thermometer summary page upon completing the assessment, they will need to tap the green Close button in the upper right corner of the screen to release the self-lock mode.