By default, if an exam contains a link to an external web domain, students can view the initial page but all links and navigation from that page are blocked.
With the LockDown Browser Dashboard-"exam"-Modify Settings-Advanced Settings-"Allow access to specific external web domains" option, the setting allows a student to access any page or link within the specified domain. This is useful, for example, to provide access to an e-book during an exam.
This functionality is available for Windows, Mac, and iPad editions of LockDown Browser.
To add a valid site, such as a publisher's e-book, the instructor must first add the web links to the exam itself, usually the first question. The link cannot be in any exam instructions outside the active exam. The web links must also be configured to "open in a new window or new tab", not the "same window".
The instructor then enters the "domain" of all the locations including any specific paths. Multiple domains can be entered, separated by commas. Do not include the "http:" or "https:" protocols or any parameters staring at a "?" in the address.
You can only specify domains, not URLs.
Example of a domain: respondus.com
Example of a URL: https://www.respondus.com
Identifying the full list of domains necessary is made simple by using a Chrome extension called “Domain Spotter.” Instructions can be downloaded here.
Please be aware that instructors should not try to specify the domain of the LMS or a domain for another learning management system. Specifying the domain of the LMS itself or permitting a student to log in to one LMS, then access a second LMS to take an exam, will result in errors and is unsupported. Respondus Support will not troubleshoot errors that result from either scenario.
As an example, to access Amazon's Kindle Cloud Reader, the instructor would enter "read.amazon.com" along with "www.amazon.com/ap/signin" separated by commas into the "Allow access to specific external web domains" listing.
You must then also include a URL link to the permitted domain in the quiz question. Without such a link, students will not be able to access that domain.
Once the link is clicked on by the student, that link will open in a second tab and remain open during the exam until the student closes it. If you desire to have the domain open during the entire exam, it's only necessary to place the link in the first question.
If students encounter a "Linked is Blocked ?" while accessing an external domain, it indicates additional domains may need to be added to the external web domains list. Clicking on the "?" will bring up a brief pop-up window showing the URL for the blocked link. The domain listed in the window can be added to the "Allow access to specific external web domains" listing.
Please note, e-textbooks and similar resources with digital rights management that requires downloading the book for viewing in an offline app (examples: Kindle, Adobe, Kobo, OverDrive, etc) are not supported. The student will need to locate a supported alternate device (tablet, e-book, etc) or obtain a paper-based edition.
Note: This functionality is available for Windows, Mac, and iPad editions of LockDown Browser. The option to allow specific external web domains is not available in McGraw-Hill ALEKS or Pearson MyLab integrations with the OEM Edition of LockDown Browser.