LockDown Browser includes a basic spreadsheet tool that enables .xls/.xlsx spreadsheets to be viewed and manipulated during an exam session. This functionality is available for Windows, Mac, and iPad editions of LockDown Browser.
Within the quiz tool of the learning system, an instructor should add a link to the spreadsheet in the question wording. Exactly how this link is determined and then added to the question differs with each LMS. In most cases, you should:
* Upload the spreadsheet to a content area in the course.
* In the content area, right click on the spreadsheet title and choose "copy link location" (wording will vary depending on the browser used).
* Paste that link directly into the quiz question.
However, these steps may not work for every LMS. Some LMS types offer a document uploading tool right in the essay question toolbar, and if so, this would be the preferred method to embed the file.
The .csv file type is not supported. Please convert this file type to .xls/.xlsx before attempting to use it with LockDown Browser.
When a student selects the link within LockDown Browser, a spreadsheet tool will open. The spreadsheet can be pre-populated with content, or it can be a blank spreadsheet created in another spreadsheet app, which students use to prepare their answers.
As an example, the spreadsheet tool might be used with a multiple choice question. As shown below, a link provides access to a pre-populated spreadsheet. The student calculates the answer and then selects one of the answer choices.
The image below shows the spreadsheet that was used for this exam question.
Alternatively, an instructor can require students to create or modify a spreadsheet and submit it for grading. The example below shows how an essay question can be used for this purpose.
The question wording itself should provide guidance on the steps a student should follow. As shown above, students are instructed to 1) select the link that opens a pre-populated spreadsheet, 2) create the required formula or calculation, 3) select the button “Click here to save your work”, and 4) paste the resulting URL into the answer field for the essay question.
After the spreadsheet file has been saved, a dialog will remind students to copy the resulting URL to the answer field using CTRL + V.
Following the exam, the instructor will see a unique URL within the LMS for each student who provided an answer for the essay question. Upon selecting the URL with a standard browser (not LockDown Browser), the spreadsheet tool will open and the student’s work will be shown for that question.
Note: the spreadsheet tool is not available for the McGraw-Hill ALEKS or Pearson MyLab integrations. It is also not available with LockDown Browser for Chromebook.