A surprisingly high number of students have trouble with this, so READ THIS THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY.
After that, read it again.
For some of the assessments (examinations, quizzes, etc.) that are parts of this course, you will be required to use LockDown Browser and a webcam. You must use either a desktop computer or a laptop computer, and you must download the LockDown Browser software and install it onto your computer. Otherwise, you will NOT have access to the assessments (and you will therefore NOT be able to pass the course).
For each assessment that requires the LockDown Browser, you will be required to make a video of your environment (your desk space). The purpose of each video is to demonstrate that your desk space is free of materials, because no materials are allowed to be used or even sitting out during an assessment, even if those materials have nothing to do with biology.
Each video must clearly show the entire work space in FRONT of you, and the video must demonstrate that the workspace is empty. If any video is found be be unacceptable, then the corresponding assessment will be disqualified. The kinds of assessments that require the LockDown Browser are the most heavily weighted items in the course, which means they affect your final grade more than any other assignments. Obviously, any disqualified assessment will have a devastating affect on your final grade. That is why this page exists, and that is why I requested that you read it so carefully.
To ensure that you have everything (hardware, software, environment, video technique) ready for the real assessments, you will be required to complete an assignment called LockDown Practice. This will give you a chance to make a practice video, which I will review. After my review, you will receive email telling you either that you are properly following instructions and that your video has been approved, or that your video is unacceptable. If your video is unacceptable, you will be required to repeat the LockDown Practice until you make an acceptable video.
Only AFTER you have made an acceptable video for the LockDown Practice will you have access to the assessments. Otherwise, you will be locked out. It takes a while for the video to be processed by the website, then it takes a while for me to review the video. This is why you are required to complete the LockDown Practice so early in the term and WELL before the first assessment becomes available.
Nearly half of students fail to make an acceptable video, because those students fail to carefully follow the instructions. Therefore, for the sake of your final grade, do not take this lightly.
HOW TO MAKE AN ACCEPTABLE VIDEO:
1. Turn on a light, so your video will not be dark.
2. Remove headphones or ear buds.
3. Clear your desk or table of ALL materials, whether they are related to biology or not. If you are unwilling to clear the space, then you should expect your test to be disqualified. Disqualified tests may NOT be retaken.
4. Pick up your camera. If your camera is in a laptop, this means picking up your computer.
5. Stand up (with your camera or computer in hand).
6. Step back from your work surface (two or three steps) with your camera or computer in hand. You need to step back, so you can get a wider view.
7. Point the camera or computer toward the desk in front of you (this means pointing it away from you).
8. Move the camera or computer very slowly, taking about twenty seconds to show an overall view of your empty desk, including all four edges (left, right, front, and back).
ALL of the steps above must be followed for EVERY video that you make throughout the term. Make it easy on yourself by completing the LockDown Practice assignment as soon as it becomes available to you on the course website.