When LockDown Browser is used with Instructor Live Proctoring enabled, you will watch students remotely during an online test with synchronous tools such as Collaborate, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. 

Live Proctoring is intended for small classes where the instructor can view all students on the screen at once. While there isn’t a technical limit as to the number of students supported with Instructor Live Proctoring, you must manage the logistics of getting students logged into the video conference system, take attendance, watch students during the exam, and track whether students leave the video conferencing session. This can be challenging if the class size is more than 20-25 students.

Getting Started

Regardless of the web conferencing tool you use, please make sure you:

Please remind students that Collab etc. will continue to run in the background, enabling you to see and hear them during the exam. However, they will be unable to access the tools during the exam.

It is up to you to ensure students stay in the synchronous session during the exam. Instructor Live Proctoring does NOT record the student video, nor does it alert the instructor to suspicious events.

Respondus LDB & Monitor Live Proctoring supports Windows, MacOS and the new Chromebook Extension. Students must have RLDB pre-installed with the latest version before taking a test. Students can request help from Respondus Support: support.respondus.com/support

  1. Create a test in Blackboard, whether in your Ultra course or in your Original course. 
  2. Access the Respondus Lockdown Browser dashboard. See How do I enable Respondus Lockdown Browser on an Ultra test or assignment?
  3. Select Allow instructor live proctoring for this exam



  4. Select Other for the video conferencing solution.



  5. Include a Start Code. In this example, we have used "collab" but you will select your own unique start code.

    Do NOT use any other field in Blackboard (e.g., password, access code) to secure the test. You must ONLY use the Start Code to secure the test for live proctoring. Do not distribute the Start Code to students until you are ready to begin proctoring the test.

Using Collaborate for Live Proctoring

If you are teaching an Original course:

Tell Me

  1. Create a Collaborate session. Enable guest access.
  2. Copy the guest link and provide this information to students before the test.
  3. At the scheduled time, take attendance and confirm you can see and hear all students in the video conferencing system. 
  4. When ready, provide the Start Code to students to commence the exam. We recommend that you do so verbally and in the chat panel.
  5. Students must open RLDB before they access the test in an Original course. 
  6. Remember: Students will no longer see Collaborate once the exam starts, but they can hear you and each other.
If you are teaching an Ultra course:

Tell Me

  1. Create a Collaborate session.
  2. At the scheduled time, students must access the Collaborate session through the Ultra course. Take attendance and confirm you can see and hear all students in the video conferencing system. 
  3. When ready, provide the Start Code to students to commence the exam. We recommend that you do so verbally and in the chat panel.
  4. Students access the test through the Ultra course. RLDB should open automatically. 
  5. Remember: Students will no longer see Collaborate once the exam starts, but they can hear you and each other.

Using Google Meet with Ultra or Original Courses

  1. Create a Google Meet session.
  2. Copy the guest link and provide this information to students before the test.
  3. At the scheduled time, take attendance and confirm you can see and hear all students in the video conferencing system. 
  4. When ready, provide the Start Code to students to commence the exam. We recommend that you do so verbally and in the chat panel.
    • Ultra courses: Students access the test through the Ultra course. RLDB opens automatically.
    • Original Courses: Students must open RLDB before they access the test in an Original course.
  5. Remember: Students will no longer see Collaborate once the exam starts, but they can hear you and each other.

Tips for using Respondus Live Proctoring

  • Only use the Start Code field to secure the Blackboard test -- if you use a password in an Bb Original test or an access code in a Bb Ultra test, your students will encounter an error message. 

  • When microphones are enabled, make sure students know that if they talk to themselves, read questions out loud, curse unconsciously, etc., you and the entire class can hear everything. 
    • When the RLDB application opens, the students will lose access to the web conferencing tools -- including webcam and microphone sharing. This means students cannot self-mute.
    • One option is to use a headset with microphone controls that do not depend on accessing the actual web application.

  • Schedule a practice exam where everything can be tried by the class in advance.

  • If you decide to record the live proctoring, you must announce the start of the recording.

  • Live proctoring works best with less than 25 students in a course or test session.
To report a bug/issue with live proctoring, please open a support ticket at www.respondus.com/support. 
Instructions are not provided for Zoom as this platform is not supported by Instructional Technology.