Online Proctoring Faculty Guide

A secure online exam proctoring tool, like Respondus or Proctorio, provides an extra layer of security for instructors seeking a way to better control students’ testing environments during online exams.

These tools typically integrate with Canvas quizzes and require students to download a unique browser or browser extension that temporarily restricts students’ actions on their device during exams. For example, some instructors may want to limit students’ ability to open new tabs, copy and paste, or print during exams. More extensive features allow instructors to choose whether to record students’ screens and environments during asynchronous exams.

There are several downsides to these tools to consider:

• Bandwidth/Time: Instructors need to complete training to learn how to use the tool and review results. They need to help students understand what equipment they need when using these tools, how to use the tool effectively, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Many instructors also find the process of reviewing exam results time-consuming. (These tools flag suspicious behavior that then requires instructor review and judgment.)
• Equity concerns: Instructors across higher ed have raised concerns about secure online exam proctoring tools, noting many were historically more likely to flag students of color and students with disabilities. Instructors who use secure online exam proctoring tools should be aware of potential bias and should carefully review exam results, rather than assuming a flag means cheating occurred.
• Privacy concerns: Students have raised privacy concerns around secure online exam proctoring tools. Installing these tools on personal devices can feel invasive, and not all students have private spaces they are comfortable being recorded during exams. To mitigate this, instructors are encouraged to offer students alternative options, like taking an exam in the Computer Center or during an instructor's office hour.
• Costs:
  • Licenses to secure online proctoring tools are quite expensive; money spent on these tools means less money is available for other priorities.
  • While the college covers the licensing costs for students, students typically need a laptop or desktop with a relatively up-to-date operating system, webcam, and microphone. Instructors who use these tools should include options for students without the necessary equipment. At LPC students can take exams that require a secure online proctoring tool in the Computer Center or can borrow a laptop from the LPC Library.

In most cases, no. Many instructors opt to design alternative forms of authentic assessment that help students demonstrate what they’ve learned through project-based learning and incorporate process-checks that allow them to feel confident students are meeting learning outcomes. (Instructors interested in learning more about this can sign up for ongoing workshops, like the “Reimagining Assessments” series.)

However, some departments may determine secure online proctoring tools are warranted in some instances. If you’re not sure, check your Course Outline of Record/DE Addendum in CurrIQunet or reach out to your Department Chair.

While LPC historically provided Proctorio as a secure online proctoring tool, we are currently transitioning to Respondus. 

• Proctorio: Proctorio (Secure Exam Proctor) is only available in Fall 2026 and previous terms.
• Respondus: Respondus (LockDown Browser and Monitor) is now available. This tool was piloted in Spring 2026 and has been purchased for the complete 2026/27 academic year.

Respondus has two unique features that support exam security, both on campus and online:

• Respondus LockDown Browser 
  • Instructors teaching on campus or online can use the Respondus LockDown Browser to more securely proctor online exams. When using the LockDown Browser, instructors can choose settings like disabling copy/paste, printing, and opening new tabs during exams. 
  • Instructors can choose from:
    • The core Canvas LockDown Browser that works with Canvas Quizzes/New Quizzes
    • Or the OEM LockDown Browser, which integrates with many third-party publisher platforms. 
  • Notes for On Campus Use:
    • While students in online classes typically install the LockDown Browser on their own device, students are not able to install the LockDown Browser on campus computers themselves; this must be done by IT.
    • While the LockDown Browser is available at the Computer Center and other select labs on campus, not all campus computers have the LockDown Browsers installed at this time. The IT teams at Chabot and LPC are currently working on an implementation strategy.
    • If you don't see LockDown Browser pre-installed on the lab you are teaching in, you're welcome to reach out to Kat or Wanda in the Teaching and Learning Center for more information.
• Respondus Monitor 
  • Instructors teaching fully online courses who can’t otherwise monitor students in person can use the Respondus LockDown Browser in conjunction with Respondus Monitor. When using Monitor, you can choose from settings like requiring students to record themselves and their screen during exams.
  • Important Note for On Campus/Hybrid Instructors: If you are able to proctor exams in person during scheduled on campus meetings, please do not use the Monitor feature. Not all labs have web cams, and the use of Respondus Monitor incurs additional expenses for the college. 

When instructors enable Respondus LockDown Browser + Monitor on quizzes, they'll be able to review additional information about student tests in the LockDown Browser Dashboard on Canvas.

If you plan to use Respondus, you'll need to follow the steps below to set things up in Canvas and complete training.

• In your Canvas course shell, customize your course navigation menu to enable LockDown Browser (which is Respondus). Click Save at the bottom to make your changes stick.
  • Note: if you see a course navigation link called Secure Exam Proctor in your course, indicating you have previously used Proctorio, please review the FAQ below titled I've been using Proctorio. What steps do I take to transition to Respondus? You'll find guidance about important steps to take, like removing Proctorio from your quiz settings and course navigation menu, before you begin using Respondus. 
• Next, click LockDown Browser in your course navigation menu. Explore each tab for resources: 
  • Dashboard: Includes a list of quizzes in your course. Click the V icon next to any quiz to: 
    • Enable LockDown Browser (available for online or on campus instructors) and Monitor (available to support fully online instructors). Settings are adjustable to meet your needs, so you can determine which features should apply to each quiz.
    • Select Class Results to review feedback after students complete the exam. 
    • Select Exam Stats for high-level data after students complete the exam. 
  • Getting Started: Check out tutorials to help you set up your exams, give instructions to students, and create a practice quiz. 
  • Video Tutorials: Watch recorded trainings at a convenient time; note: you are also welcome to attend a live upcoming Respondus workshop. Options will be added throughout the year. 
  • Guides and Support: Review Quick Start Guides for Instructors, Sample Student Language, and more 
  • Other Systems: Find guides to using Respondus with publisher content, if needed. 
• Note: after enabling Respondus LockDown Browser on a quiz in your course, your quiz will include - Requires Respondus LockDown Browser in the title. If you choose to use Respondus Monitor for a fully online course, your quiz will include - Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam in the title. This helps students quickly identify proctoring expectations.

Please see below for additional guidance on preparing students to use Respondus.

If you choose to use Respondus, please: 

• Inform students in your course notes, welcome letter, and/or syllabus and provide alternative options for students who may not have the technology needed to run Respondus, may not feel comfortable downloading Respondus on a personal device, or may not have a reliable space they are comfortable recording their exams. For example, you can include information about borrowing technology from the LPC Library or let students know they can take quizzes in LPC's Computer Center, where Respondus is pre-installed.
• Create a low-stakes practice quiz so students can get familiar with using Respondus before any major assessment. This gives students the chance to get familiar with the technology without the anxiety that may accompany mid-term or final exams.
• Provide guidance to students about which settings you'll be using and how they should best prepare for exams in the instructions of your quizzes. For sample language:
  • Check the Guides and Support tab when you click LockDown Browser in your course navigation menu.
  • Check out (or link to) LPC's Online Proctoring Student Guide.
  • Check out the sample Midterm in LPC's Model Template.

Respondus offers dedicated support for instructors. Beyond the resources available within the LockDown Browser tabs in your Canvas shell, instructors can:

• Check the FAQs in the Respondus Instructor Support Center.
• Submit a Respondus Support Ticket.
• Contact Kat or Wanda in the Teaching and Learning Center.

Have a question not answered here?

• Review the Respondus Privacy Center for detailed information about Respondus' Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Data Processing Agreement.
• Review information about how Respondus meets accessibility standards.
• Contact Respondus. (Select I'm faculty.)
• Reach out to the Instructional Technology team in LPC's Teaching and Learning Center.

While we were able to purchase a limited number of Proctorio licenses to support instructors who could not transition right away, Proctorio will not be available after the Fall 2026 term.

If you have not already made the switch to Respondus for your secure online proctoring needs, please plan to make the transition before any subsequent terms.

If you've been using Proctorio and need to transition to Respondus, please follow these steps when preparing for the upcoming term:

1. First, remove language about Proctorio in your course notes, syllabus, welcome letter, and/or other places on Canvas where you may have provided students with information about Proctorio, like quiz instructions. Replace this language with information about Respondus. You'll find sample language and a link to our Student Proctoring Guide under the above accordion: How do I prepare students to use Respondus?
2. Next, remove the Proctorio requirement on your quizzes in Canvas:
   1. Click on any quiz that shows (Remotely Proctored) in the title, meaning you had previously set it up with Proctorio.
   2.   Click the Edit button.
   3. Scroll to the quiz settings and remove the check in the box next to Enable Proctorio Secure Exam Proctor.
   4. Click the blue Save button at the bottom.
3. After removing Proctorio from your quiz settings, customize your course navigation menu to disable Secure Exam Proctor (which is Proctorio) and enable LockDown Browser (which is Respondus). Don’t forget to click Save at the bottom to make your changes stick! 
4. Next, click LockDown Browser in your course navigation menu. Here you’ll find tabs, including training materials and the ability to add LockDown Browser and Monitor functionality to quizzes in your course. Tabs include: 
   • Your Dashboard: A list of quizzes in your course. Click the V icon next to any quiz to: 
     • Enable LockDown Browser (available for online or on campus instructors) and Monitor (available to support fully online instructors). Settings are adjustable to meet your needs, so you can determine which features should apply to each quiz.
     • Select Class Results to review feedback after students complete the exam. 
     • Select Exam Stats for high-level data after students complete the exam. 
   • Getting Started 
     • Check out tutorials that will help you set up your exams, give instructions to students, and create a practice quiz 
   • Video Tutorials 
     • Library of recorded trainings you can watch at a convenient time; you are also welcome to attend a live upcoming Respondus workshop. Options will be added throughout the year. 
   • Guides and Support  
     • Quick Start Guides for Instructors, Sample Student Language, and more 
   • Other Systems 
     • Guides for using Respondus with publisher content, if needed. 
5. Note: after enabling Respondus LockDown Browser on quizzes, your quiz will include - Requires Respondus LockDown Browser in the title. If you choose to use Respondus Monitor in a fully online course, your quiz will include - Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam in the title.

Note: CLPCCD is transitioning from Proctorio to Respondus. Proctorio will no longer be available after Fall 2026.

Proctorio is a browser extension that applies settings you identify to create a more secure environment for students while they are taking a quiz. Optional settings include:

• Lock Down Options: During exams, Proctorio may limit students' ability to perform some functions. For example, it may block your ability to open new tabs/windows, copy and paste, and print.
• Recording Options: Instructors may opt to record video, audio, web traffic, and student screens during exams.
• Verification Options: Before beginning an exam, Proctorio may prompt an ID check, signature verification, or room scan if the instructor chooses.

Not all instructors use all of these settings. You can determine which are appropriate for each quiz in your course.

Note: CLPCCD is transitioning from Proctorio to Respondus. Proctorio will no longer be available after Fall 2026.

Preparing Canvas

Before using Proctorio, you'll need to set up your Canvas shells:

1. You'll need to launch a supported browser with the Proctorio extension. The video below walks you through the process on Chrome.
   
2. Enable "Secure Exam Proctor" in your course settings under navigation. This allows you to use Proctorio with students.
3. Select your desired Proctorio settings for quizzes in Canvas.
4. After exams, review student results in the Proctorio Review Center.

Preparing Students

• Prior to implementing Proctorio with your students, make sure to read LPC's Grace Guidance for Faculty: Cameras, Recording, and Proctoring.
• Inform students in your course notes, welcome letter, and/or syllabus and provide alternative options for students who may not have the technology needed to run Proctorio, may not feel comfortable downloading Proctorio on a personal device, or may not have a reliable space they are comfortable recording their exams. For example, you can include information about borrowing technology from the LPC Library or let students know they can take quizzes in LPC's Computer Center, where Proctorio is pre-installed.
• Create a low-stakes practice quiz so students can get familiar with using Proctorio before any major assessment. This gives students the chance to get familiar with the technology without the anxiety that may accompany mid-term or final exams.
• Provide guidance to students about which settings you'll be using and how they should best prepare for exams in the instructions of your quizzes. You can link to LPC's Online Proctoring Student Guide.

Visit the Proctorio Support Center or get 24/7 one-on-one support by:

• Chat: Click the shield icon in Chrome
• Email: support@proctorio.com
• Phone: 1-866-948-2039 or 1-480-428-0692

Have a question not answered here?

• Check Proctorio's Frequently Asked Questions.
• Review Proctorio's Data Security Practices.
• Review Proctorio's Privacy Policy.
• Review Proctorio's Compliance with policies like FERPA.
• Reach out to the Instructional Technology team in LPC's Teaching and Learning Center.