When Rochester University needed to transition their exam security system to support their new Canvas LMS, they faced a common challenge for small institutions: finding an enterprise-grade solution that wouldn't strain their resources. This case study explores how they successfully implemented Rosalyn's Lockdown Browser to:

• Maintain rigorous exam security for their nursing program
• Seamlessly integrate with Canvas LMS
• Reduce student and faculty stress
• Meet accessibility requirements
• Achieve all this at zero additional cost

"The best thing about Rosalyn is that it's fully integrated into Canvas," explains Donna Love from Rochester University. "Students simply go to Canvas as they normally would, open up the exam, and they can take it. They don't have to do anything else."

Rochester University's nursing department faced a critical situation when transitioning to Canvas LMS: their existing exam security solution, SafeExam Browser, was no longer compatible. For a small non-profit institution, this technical incompatibility created a cascade of challenges.

Core Challenges:

1. LMS Migration Complexity Rochester needed a new lockdown browser after switching their LMS to Canvas. This incompatibility forced them to seek a new solution that would:

• Work seamlessly with Canvas
• Maintain existing security standards
• Minimize disruption to faculty and students

2. Budget Constraints As Love notes: "We also require a free or very low-cost product as we are a small non-profit university and deal with constant budgeting constraints." They needed to find a solution that would:

• Keep costs at or near zero
• Provide enterprise-grade security
• Meet compliance requirements

3. Student Experience Issues Their previous solution created unnecessary stress for students:

• Multiple steps required to access exams
• Manual updates needed before exam sessions
• Extra anxiety during already stressful testing periods

"It was bulkier to use because it did not fully integrate with our LMS. Students had to always open that browser from the icon on their computer, and then open Moodle while in that browser. That added step sometimes caused confusion or extra anxiety for students taking an exam."

4. Professional Certification Requirements The nursing department needed a solution that would:

• Prepare students for state licensing exams (NCLEX)
• Provide a secure testing environment
• Meet accessibility standards
• Support in-classroom exam administration

The Stakes

For Rochester's nursing program, maintaining exam integrity wasn't just about preventing cheating—it was about preparing students for their future careers. They needed a solution that could balance security with usability while staying within tight budget constraints.

Rochester University found in Rosalyn's Lockdown Browser a solution that addressed their complex needs with surprising simplicity. The implementation provided enterprise-grade security features while maintaining the ease of use and affordability they required.

Key Solution Components:

1. Seamless Canvas Integration Unlike their previous experience with multiple steps and separate browsers, Rosalyn provided a fully integrated solution:

• Direct embedding within Canvas
• Automatic launch from within the LMS
• No separate browser login required

"The students still need to download Rosalyn software but it has been a seamless experience. Afterward, students need only to go directly to Canvas as usual and open their exam to engage the software, so the experience for our students is better."

2. Enterprise-Grade Security at No Cost The solution delivered professional-level security features while meeting budget requirements:

• Secure lockdown functionality
• WCAG 2.2 compliance
• GDPR compliance
• Zero additional cost to the institution

3. Simplified User Experience For both students and faculty, the system reduced complexity:

• One-time software installation
• Automatic updates
• Intuitive exam access
• Reduced pre-exam anxiety

Implementation Support

A standout aspect of the implementation was Rosalyn's customer support:

"I appreciate the level of customer service and that we were helped through that... You guys are always really responsive and I feel like if we have any trouble at all, we could just come right to you and it'll get solved."

The support team helped Rochester:

• Navigate initial setup
• Train faculty members
• Resolve technical issues quickly
• Adapt the solution to specific needs

Technical Considerations

The implementation addressed key technical requirements:

• Accessibility: Full compliance with WCAG 2.2 standards
• Privacy: Adherence to GDPR requirements
• Performance: Reliable operation in classroom settings
• Integration: Seamless connection with existing Canvas workflows

Classroom Management

For nursing faculty, the solution provided:

• Confidence in exam security
• Easy exam setup within Canvas
• Simple student access management
• Professional testing environment simulation

"Instructors feel confident that students cannot open another browser or program on their computers during their in-class exams on Canvas because of Rosalyn's lockdown feature."