Coming Soon: Auto-save in Quizzes

You know how you can take an entire quiz in BOLT but if your connection drops you might lose your answers if you don't save them periodically?

That's going to be a thing of the past soon.

BOLT will soon introduce an auto-save feature in quizzes. Answers will save automatically while you're taking a quiz.

This feature is not yet available but is in on its way. Keep saving your answers for now! We will post once the feature is available.

Quizzing with LockDown Browser

If your instructor requires you to use Respondus LockDown Browser, here are some tips to help you.

First, if you are on your own machine, you MUST download the browser via OUR special link at http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=666246493

You won't be able to download the browser to campus machines due to permissions on campus machines.

Some machines on campus already have the browser, such as machines in the library. However, they do not have webcams which are needed to use Respondus Monitor which instructors may require. If you require a webcam you may need to use your own machine.

To begin a quiz, use a regular browser to go to BOLT and your course. Go to Assessment > Quizzes and click on the name of the quiz. There will be a button to Launch LockDown Browser rather than the "Start Quiz" button other quizzes in BOLT have.

For support, contact BOLT Support via phone at 1-866-921-0473 to make sure there is not an issue with BOLT first. If they can't assist you right away, contact Respondus at http://support.respondus.com/support/index.php

BOLT TIP: No confirmation needed when starting or submitting quizzes!

Easier Quiz Start and Quiz Submit in BOLT

You no longer need to confirm starting or submitting your quizzes in BOLT!

Clicking Start Quiz begins your quiz.
Clicking Submit Quiz submits your quiz.

This is a change as you used to have to confirm starting or submitting your quiz on a secondary screen.

Do you use Respondus LockDown Browser in a Course?

Is your instructor using Respondus LockDown Browser for quizzes? If so, you will need to download the LockDown Browser using our Bloomsburg University link: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=666246493 

You cannot download the browser using any other source. You must download it using the link above.

To take a quiz with LockDown Browser, just use a regular browser to access BOLT, the course, and your quiz. If you have downloaded LockDown Browser, you can click the Launch button and this will open the quiz directly in LockDown Browser.

You can find out more at our Student Support pages and BOLT How-To:  https://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-quizsurvey

Having technical difficulty? Contact BOLT Support and visit the Respondus Support Portal here: http://support.respondus.com/support/index.php

Using ProctorU this Semester?

Is your instructor using ProctorU this semester? ProctorU is a live online proctoring service instructors may require for certain exams. 

If your instructor is using ProctorU, you can find more information on what you will need to do to use ProctorU at https://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-quizsurvey

Secure Quizzing Tips in BOLT

Secure Quizzing Tips for Examity and Respondus Tools

• Keep your software updated.
  This includes browsers, plugins, operating system updates, and application updates.
• Disable Firewalls and Antivirus Software.
  You may need to disable your firewall software or antivirus software to take your secure quiz. Some of these software suites will interfere with secure quizzing protocols.
• Keep LockDown Browser updated.
  You can check your version by clicking on "About" or "i" in the toolbar. Update whenever possible to use the latest software.
• Keep your Flash PPAPI plugin updated.
  Respondus Monitor requires this specific plugin and it must be up to date.
• Do a system and webcam check in LockDown Browser in the Help Center.
  Do this prior to taking a quiz. To access Help Center, launch LockDown Browser from your desktop, login to BOLT, navigate to a course, and click on "Help Center" in the toolbar.
• Stay on schedule for Examity.
  Make sure to register with Examity early, and schedule your exam ahead of your exam date. You will have a clear window of time to complete this in order to take your exam.

Secure Quizzing Tools in BOLT

Authenticate Your Results

Your instructor may require you to use some of the secure quizzing tools available in BOLT: Respondus LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor, and Examity to take online quizzes and exams.

 

These tools are provided to give you flexibility to take your online exams online- without having to come into a classroom.

The use of these tools protects you, making your test-taking secure and aims to preserve academic integrity and the legitimacy of online learning assessments.

If your instructor is requiring you to use these tools, please follow any directions they give you.

You can find out more about these tools at https://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-quizsurvey

Secure Quizzing Tools in BOLT

BOLT comes with several tools instructors may require you to use to take quizzes online.

Your instructor may require you to use Respondus LockDown Browser, Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, or Examity.

  

If your instructor requires LockDown Browser (or LockDown Browser and Monitor) for a quiz, we suggest

1. Downloading the LockDown Browser using our download link here: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=666246493
2. Taking any practice quizzes your instructor has provided to make sure you are comfortable with how the browser works
3. Launching LockDown Browser from your desktop and logging into BOLT to take the quiz

If your instructor requires you to use Examity to take an online quiz, we suggest you
1. Go to the Examity dashboard (click the examity link in your course) right away to create your profile
2. Schedule your exam at least 24 hours prior to the posted exam start time (This is required!)
3. Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your exam to allow time to connect with the proctor and do any troubleshooting necessary.
4. Make sure your pop-up blocker is disabled.
5. Make sure your internet connection speed is 3 Mbps or higher.  Check here: http://www.speedtest.net/
6. Schedule then take any practice exam your instructor provides.

For step by step guides to using these tools, please go to http://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-quizsurvey

BOLT Tips: Taking Quizzes

Tips for Successful Quizzing in BOLT (part 2)

	Take the practice quiz. If your instructor provides a practice quiz , take it. This helps resolve any issues with the tools prior to a high stakes exam.
	Give yourself enough time. Make sure you give yourself enough time to take or schedule (if required) your quiz.
	Avoid interruptions. Close other applications and make sure your connection to the Internet is strong.
	Exit and re-enter the quiz. Screen freeze? Exit the quiz and quickly re-enter using another browser (if not in RLDB).
	Contact BOLT Support NOW. If you encounter problems, contact us right away so we can give you the timeliest troubleshooting possible. Call us at (570)389-2888.

Search our blog for more tips on successful quizzing!

Having Quizzes Trouble?

Troubleshoot common problems in quizzes by following the advice in these tips:

1. Give yourself enough time.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to take your quiz. Don’t start an hour long quiz a half hour prior to the closing time on the quiz. Start early enough to give yourself time.

2. Close apps and browsers.
Focus on your quiz and reduce possible issues by closing other applications and browsers or browser tabs. 

3. Use a strong connection.
If you can, use a wired connection. If not, try to be close to your router, or close bandwidth-heavy applications (streaming apps or games).

4. Exit and re-enter the quiz.
If you encounter an issue, exit your quiz and immediately re-enter using another browser. Sometimes this simple trick will resolve your problem.

5. Contact BOLT Support NOW.
Contact us right away so we can give you the timeliest troubleshooting possible. Call us at (570)389-2888.

Coming Soon to BOLT: Examity

We are pleased to announce a partnership with Examity^®, a recognized leader in remote test proctoring. This relationship offers you a secure and convenient way to take your exams online.  

Examity^® will be integrated with BOLT.  You will be able to access Examity^® directly from BOLT, without the hassle of another username and password.  It also means that before using Examity^® for the first time, all pertinent information will be imported into the system for the classes in which you are enrolled.

There is no cost to use Examity^®.  Proctoring costs are being paid by Bloomsburg University.

Examity^® will be available in 2016 Fall. We will provide tools you need to get familiar with the service.

Please watch for additional information about this service in the months to come. We know it will make your education experience even better, and we are very excited to roll it out to you!