We now offer both a Chromebook kiosk app and a Chromebook extension that lock down the testing environment for students accessing Otus through Chromebooks. Students are unable to print, copy, navigate to another URL, or access other applications. Students are locked into an assessment until it is submitted for grading.
Otus LockDown Browser for Chromebook (Kiosk App)
The Otus LockDown Browser is a Chrome kiosk app that is installed through Chrome Device Management.
Installing the Otus LockDown Browser
The Otus Lockdown Browser must be installed using Chrome Device Management.
Step 1: Log in to the Google Suite admin console at https://admin.google.com
Step 2: Select “Device Management” and then “Chrome Management” under Device Settings.
Step 3: On the next screen select “Device Settings” and then scroll down to the “Kiosk Settings” section.
Step 4: Select the “apps & extensions” link.
Step 5: Select the yellow grid icon that shows “Add Chrome app or extension by ID” upon hover, enter the Otus App ID: kkabgiknkhghephdnkgphaofhjpioogg and press enter.
Step 6: The Otus LockDown Browser should now show up as a row in the "Kiosks" tab for you to manage as part of your Google Suite.
Configuring the Starting URL
Our Lockdown Browser Chromebook App has been updated with the JSON setting that allows the starting URL to be configured.
If no JSON settings are configured in the Google management interface, then the App should continue to start on https://my.otus.com/ so existing customers should not be affected.
Troubleshooting the Proxy Server
If you receive an error from the App about not being able to connect to the Internet, there may be a problem with a proxy server. Kiosk mode does not work with proxy servers unless a network configuration is defined and applied “by device” instead of “by user”.The following steps can be followed to set up the network configuration “by device”.
Step 1:Login to the Google Suite admin console at https://admin.google.com
Step 2: Select “Device Management” and then “Network” under the Device Settings.
Step 3: Select WiFi or Ethernet. If no networks are defined, then select “Create”.
Step 4: Enter the setting for your network. On the proxy settings, configure the proxy as required, and be sure to select “by device” in the “Apply network” section.
Step 5: The final step is to validate that everything is set up correctly. To do this, we recommend testing the network settings with the generic "Kiosk" App with App ID: afhcomalholahplbjhnmahkoekoijban
This app allows you to configure an arbitrary URL (such as www.respondus.com) which is displayed when the app enters kiosk mode. Once networking has been validated with the kiosk app, you can be confident that the app will be able to connect to the internet via the proxy server.
The Student Experience
Students launch the lockdown browser by selecting Otus LockDown Browser from the Apps link on their login screen.
When the app launches, the login page will appear, and the student can log in and navigate to the exam.
During an exam, the student will be locked into the testing environment until the assessment is submitted for grading.
Once the exam is complete, the user must restart the Chromebook to fully exit the Otus LockDown Browser.
This article will show you what it looks like for the students to take an assessment with the Otus Lockdown Browser.
Otus LockDown Browser for Chromebook (Extension)
The Otus LockDown Browser is also available as a Chrome extension. This allows for a more fluid experience for students as they do not need to log into Otus through a separate kiosk app.
Installing the Otus LockDown Browser (Extension)
With managed Chromebooks, students will need to have the necessary permissions to install Chrome extensions, or the extension will need to be pushed to their Chromebooks via the Google Admin Suite. The extension can be downloaded from the Google Chrome store using this direct link.
The Student Experience
The Otus LockDown Browser (extension) will launch automatically when the LockDown Browser is enabled by the teacher when assigning the assessment.
Once students select their assessment from their notification feed or their assessments list, they will need to choose to take assessment.
Once they submit their assessment, the extension will prompt them to continue.
This article will show you what it looks like for the students to take an assessment with the Otus Lockdown Browser.
Otus Live Videos
Click to see two of our Otus Live videos on the Respondus Lockdown Browser experience for Chromebooks.
Click to see two of our Otus Live videos on the Respondus Lockdown Browser experience for Chromebooks.
Guide for installing and using the lockdown browser with Chromebooks.
Taking an assessment as a student on a Chromebook with the lockdown browser enabled.