Test Mode Browser – Installing the itslearning LockDown Browser Extension for Chromebooks (Sysadmin)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1 Overview
• 2 Why This Matters
• 3 Prerequisites
• 4 Force-Install the Extension
• 5 Verify the Installation
• 6 Changes to the End-User Experience

1 Overview

Due to recent changes in Google Chrome's support for kiosk-mode applications, all customers need to force-install the new "itslearning LockDown Browser" extension on their Chromebooks.

For older versions of ChromeOS, the current kiosk-mode application can still be used, but newer versions of ChromeOS require the new browser extension instead.

Force-installing the browser extension for all users ensures that the extension is pre-installed on their Chromebooks before they take tests in Test Mode.

2 Why This Matters

Without this extension properly installed, students are unable to start tests with Test Mode enabled. This can disrupt scheduled assessments and evaluations.

3 Prerequisites

4 Force-Install the Extension

Follow these steps to ensure all users in your organisation have the itslearning LockDown Browser extension:

1. Sign in to the Google Admin console at admin.google.com with your administrator account.
2. From the Admin console Home page, go to Devices > Chrome > Apps & extensions.
3. At the top, click the type of app or extension you want to automatically install:
   • Users & browsers – for users who sign in with a managed Google Account on any device
   • Managed guest sessions – for users who sign in to a managed guest session on a managed ChromeOS device
4. On the left, choose the organisational unit (OU) you want to apply the settings to. To apply the settings to all users, leave the top-level OU selected.
5. Click the yellow plus button (+) and select Add Chrome app or extension by ID.
6. Enter the itslearning LockDown Browser extension ID: ngobkpaglpdfccmalagookhfmniefkbj, and click Save.
7. In the panel that opens on the right, under Installation policy, choose Force install or Force install + pin to ChromeOS taskbar.
8. Click Save.

The extension is now automatically installed for all users in the selected organisational unit when they sign in to Chrome.

5 Verify the Installation

Ensure the extension is pinned to the browser taskbar if needed. The Admin console builds a set of configuration text that is then set in a JSON string for the ExtensionSettings policy.

After completing the installation, we recommend:

• Testing the setup with a sample user account
• Confirming the extension appears in Chrome's extension list
• Conducting a test run of a test with Test Mode turned on, to ensure everything works correctly

6 Changes to the End-User Experience

The itslearning LockDown Browser extension introduces a more user-friendly experience when answering tests with Test Mode enabled.

itslearning automatically detects whether the extension is installed, and enables Test Mode. The user can start the test by clicking Start test in test mode, and the itslearning LockDown Browser extension ensures that the user cannot start the test until all other browser windows are closed.

Once the test has been answered and submitted, the itslearning LockDown Browser extension returns the system to normal mode, without the user needing to sign in again.

For additional assistance, contact itslearning support.