This article will help you understand what the SMOWL LOCK browser lockdown is and how to use it correctly.
What is the SMOWL LOCK browser lockdown?
The browser lockdown is a feature that forces the browser into full-screen mode for the duration of your activity. This full-screen mode prevents you from browsing the internet or exiting your activity. This tool is executed through the browser extension.
The browser lockdown is an additional feature that you will need to use if your institution requires it.
Detailed steps for the correct use of SMOWL LOCK
Download and install the browser extension (SMOWL EXTENSION): Follow the steps in the next article to be able to use the browser extension. The SMOWL browser extension
Activate the browser lockdown: The lockdown is activated automatically when you enter an activity that requires it.
3. Before accessing the activity, make sure that:
Compatible browser: You are using a compatible browser, such as Google Chrome.
Extension enabled: The SMOWL extension is correctly enabled.
Only one screen connected: SMOWL will block your access to the exam if you have more than one screen connected to the computer.
Icon status: If the extension icon appears in red, check the previous settings and then click "refresh" to try to activate the lockdown correctly.
Share screen:
SMOWL LOCK asks the user to share their computer's FULL SCREEN before accessing the exam. If the user decides to stop sharing at any time, they will be expelled from their activity.
4. If you are a macOS user, you will be asked for permission to access the screen.
Then you will need to select Entire Screen and click Share.
Common Problems with SMOWL LOCK
The lockdown doesn't activate automatically
Problem: When entering the activity, the browser lockdown does not activate and the icon remains red.
Solution:
Check compatibility: Make sure you are using a compatible browser, such as Google Chrome.
Extension enabled: Check that the SMOWL extension is enabled in your browser's extensions list.
Refresh the page: If the problem persists, click "refresh" to try to activate the lockdown again.
Full-screen mode does not work correctly
Problem: When activating the exam, full-screen mode does not start or is interrupted.
Solution:
System settings: Check that your operating system settings allow full-screen mode.
Software interference: Close applications or programs that may interfere with full-screen, such as window managers or third-party software.
Difficulties with detecting unpermitted actions
Problem: The system does not correctly detect unpermitted actions, or it gives false alerts.
Solution:
Check shortcuts: Make sure you do not have personalized keyboard settings that could cause false alarms.
Close other browsers or programs: Ensure that there is no open software that could generate an alert by mistake.
Problems with involuntary expulsion
Problem: The user is expelled from the exam for no apparent reason.
Solution:
Incident limit: Make sure you do not perform actions listed as unpermitted to avoid an accumulation of incidents.
Contact your institution: If you believe the expulsion was unfair, contact your institution's staff to review the incident log.
Failed extension update
Problem: The extension version does not update automatically.
Solution:
Go to your browser's extensions menu and select "Manage extensions."
Click "Update" to make sure you have the latest version installed.
If there are still problems, try uninstalling and then reinstalling the extension from the Chrome Store.
SMOWL LOCK Restrictions
The browser lockdown is designed to detect unpermitted actions and alert the user. All incidents will be registered and evaluated by your institution.
Unpermitted actions:
Exiting full-screen mode
Opening any program
Opening a text document, PDF, spreadsheet, etc.
Opening another web browser
Executing keyboard commands
Incident limit: If you exceed the number of alerts allowed by your institution, you may be automatically expelled from your activity, and the browser will close the activity, submitting the activity in its current state at the time of expulsion.
This will only happen if your institution has the expulsion function activated.