KB1236 - Using Safe Exam Browser

There are two ways of adding extra layers of security to your online exams in Moodle - using the Safe Exam Browser ("SEB") or using Moodle's built-in test security features. We'll cover Safe Exam Browser here.

Some important considerations for using SEB

1. Students don’t download the browser to their own devices – they MUST login to Remote Desktop to take Moodle exams that use SEB. This is the process in on-site labs too.
2. We VERY STRONGLY advise that instructors create a practice test and have their students go through the process well ahead of the actual exam, so they can discover any issues and give the students a trial run.
3. We VERY STRONGLY advise that, on the day of the test, the test lab is booked for at least 15 minutes before the exam start, and students are advised to arrive early. They need to authenticate into Remote Desktop, again into Moodle, and one more time into SEB, and this can take time.
4. If possible, we advise that a second instructor/assistant is on hand to help students navigate the process of logging in to SEB on the day of the test.
5. Note that students will need their cellphones at their desks right up to the moment when they open SEB, as they will need to use their authenticator app to login – if instructors are in the habit of asking for cellphones to be handed in during an exam, then the timing of this is important.

What is Safe Exam Browser?

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a lockdown browser that allows instructors to restrict student access to additional displays, external websites, system functions or other applications while they are taking an exam online. SEB supports instructors to deliver more secure online assessments in Moodle by turning the computer into a secured workstation. You can use SEB with any Moodle Quiz.

Important: There is no completely secure method to deliver online exams. SEB can be a useful tool, but it should be used alongside in-person invigilation and other non-tech security practices. Ultimately, redesigning assessment is the most effective way to counter breaches of academic integrity.

Using SEB

Safe Exam Browser is part of the virtual desktop suite of applications available to all VCC students, whether in a lab, or using their own device. If students will be using their own devices to take an exam, they will need to log in to their VCC remote desktop using the Remote Desktop app. VCC IT has instructions on installing and using Remote Desktop.

Important: Before scheduling an exam, we strongly recommend that you test that SEB is working as expected. Create a test quiz for your students to attempt using SEB via Remote Desktop. This will give us time to troubleshoot any issues before the date of the test.

Setting up a Moodle Quiz to use SEB

1. Add a Quiz to your Moodle course. See this Knowledge Base article if you need an overview on setting up a Moodle Quiz.

2. In the Quiz settings, under the ‘Safe Exam Browser’ section, select ‘Yes – Use an existing template'

3. Under ‘Show Safe Exam Browser download button’ select No. The settings should look like this: (Note - if your students will be taking the test on a computer with dual monitors, you need to select the appropriate template from the dropdown menu)

4. Enter the desired settings for the rest of the Quiz and select ‘Save and return to course’ to save your Quiz settings. The quiz is now set up to require SEB and cannot be taken using a regular browser.

Students will see this message on the quiz launch page after they click to open the Quiz:

How Students will access an exam using SEB

1. Students must have Remote Desktop Client installed to take exams using their own devices (IT has provided a how to video for installing and configuring Remote Desktop).
2. Student launches Remote Desktop and authenticates (usually via an app on their phone)
3. Student opens any browser on their Remote Desktop and navigates to VCC Moodle (the student may need to authenticate again)
4. Student navigates to the Moodle course and quiz.
5. Student launches the quiz
6. Student selects Download configuration
   
7. Student saves the config file to the default location
8. Student clicks the config file to launch it.
9. SEB opens
10. The student will need to authenticate into SEB using the app on their phone
11. Student completes quiz
12. Student closes SEB

Watch this interactive video for a walkthrough of the student experience using SEB.