Submit button not working while using the Respondus lockdown browser for Canvas Quizzes

[swold]

Hello-

Nobody every responds on here, so I am unsure why I am even asking. I am trying to use Canvas New Quizzes with the Respondus Lockdown Browser. My course will be shifting to a digital exam format for AP World History. 

I created a Multiple-choice quiz and had the students take the quiz. Two of my students were unable to click on submit. The button basically went dead/inactive when they tried to submit. Has anybody else experienced this issue? If so, how did you fix it?

Thanks.

[mzimmerman · Accepted solution]

Hi @swold 

A "dead" or non-functioning button is usually an indication that there was a connection issue between the computer and Canvas that prevented the page from loading fully, or kicked the student out of the attempt.  

Since Canvas saves answers automatically--at least up until the point when the connection is lost--the best strategy is for the student to exit LockDown Browser, make sure that the connection is good and that any temporary connection issues are resolved, then return to the quiz and re-launch the browser to return to the attempt.

[swold]

Well, I do not think that is the issue since it only happened to some students in a classroom. It worked fine for everybody else.

[chriscas]

Hi @swold,

My usual approach in a situation like this is to look for things that might be different for the two students...  Were all of the students using identical devices with identical operating system versions and lockdown browser versions?  Did all students have the same quiz availability dates/times, all of the same internet connection, etc...  If you can find some differences, they could be the key.  If you can't find anything different, it really is going to be hard to figure out.  We've been using new quizzes for over a year, but no lockdown browser, and have not seen that issue.  I'd tend to lean towards a potential Lockdown browser issue absent any other differences, but it would still be a question of why it worked for everyone else but not those two students.

I know it's not great advice, but I'd almost not investigate this too much further unless it's something that starts to repeat every day/week.  There are just too many little possibilities that are almost impossible to track down to spend too much effort on a one-time issue in my opinion.  If it happens frequently, there might be some things you could do to monitor for the problem and perhaps track it down at that point.

-Chris

[swold]

It happened in multiple classes today. They are required to use their school-issued IPads, so all of the devices are the same, and they are running on the same operating system, and using the same wifi.

They all have the Respondus LockDown Browser, and they all downloaded it at the same time with me just a few weeks ago, so I assume it is the same version, and there is not an update available. I can check that with them. 

Thanks for the suggestions.

[JeanettePayton]

I am having the same issue with two of my students. I have tried everything suggested to fix the problem but it still happens, I have had to require the students to write their answers on paper so I can grade them by hand.

[swold]

It is pretty unbelievable how Canvas does not respond to teacher concerns. This has been an issue for years, and they still have not spent the time to improve their learning management system. 

I only use classic quizzes now, and I have not had this problem. It lacks the bells and whistles, looks way worse, but at least I know it will work. 

[JeanettePayton]

I am so frustrated! I am having all of my students record their answers on paper as backup because I don't know which ones the system will not grade or save.