Quiz Converter without Respondus

Rich Path at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has created a tool to convert test banks that are in any word processing program (Word, iWork, etc.) into a Desire2Learn question import file. The file can be imported directly into a quiz or the question library. This basically does what Respondus does for free.

https://kb.wisc.edu/luwmad/page.php?id=41417

It is Windows and Macintosh compatible. Here is some sample syntax for four different question types (true/false, multiple choice, long answer, and ordering). Notice that the questions are numbered sequentially and there is a blank line between each question.

1. I am a college student.
TRUE

2. What color is the sun?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green
*D. Yellow

3. Describe the process you used to select a college major.

order 4. From shortest to longest, order by length:
centimeter
inch
yard
meter
furlong
kilometer
mile
league

For a more detailed reference view the D2L Question Tool Documentation.

Respondus LockDown Browser and external links and files

Respondus has posted a blog entry on how to use external links and files in a quiz that  requires the use of their LockDown Browser:

Respondus LockDown Browser: Using External Links and Files

Respondus LockDown Browser and the Macintosh

Apple's Snow Leopard operating system breaks the Respondus LockDown Browser in two ways:

1. The keyboard shortcut for screen capture works while the browser is on (Apple/Command + Shift + 4)
2. The screen-recording function built in to QuickTime X works while the browser on (it must be turned on before the browser is started)

This is for the Snow Leopard operating system only (not Leopard). I have reported this bug to Respondus and expect them to fix it soon.

Respondus LockDown Browser and Mutiple Institutions

It is possible for a computer to be used the same term for online exams at different institutions outside of Los Rios. If those non-Los Rios institutions also use the Respondus LockDown Browser, the student will need to take some steps so they can use the browser with multiple institutions. These are from an email I received from Respondus:

If the student is running LockDown Browser for Windows, she can create a new LockDown Browser shortcut with your institution ID. 

Here's the steps for running LDB for two different institutions on a Windows system. First, I'll assume she has installed other institution's version of LDB.

1. Copy the LDB shortcut on the desktop and paste the copy back onto the desktop.
2. On the second copy, "right click" on the icon and select "Properties"
3. Under the "General" tab, add "LosRios" to the end of the "LockDown Browser" title.
4. Under the "Shortcut" tab, add " /ID=xxxxxxxxx" (without quotes), where "xxxxxxxxx" is the 9 digit institution ID for your LockDown Browser. You can see the ID at the end of the URL that you distribute to students.
5. Save the shortcut.
6. Double click on the new shortcut to start LockDown Browser and verify it is accessing your institution.

The student may also want to edit the properties of the LDB shortcut title for the original install so she doesn't confuse the two. 

If the student has a Macintosh, she will need to uninstall the other institution's copy of LDB and install your copy of LDB. But there is a little workaround if the student has Windows XP under Bootcamp (not a Windows VM like VMWare or Parallels) by installing and running the second LDB while in Windows under Bootcamp.

Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a tool that instructors can use to add additional security to quizzes. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an quiz is started, students are locked into it until they submit it for grading. This works for both Windows and Macintosh computers.

• Demonstration video
• Instructor QuickStart Guide
• Student QuickStart Guide

This same tool can be used to prevent students from printing, copying, or accessing other applications when viewing quiz feedback if you have that option chosen on the Restrictions tab for that quiz.