Category Archives: Student

Apps, iPads, Student, Students

AP Students: LockDown Browser

Dr. Franklin will be coordinating the details on taking your AP exam. This article will discuss the software you will need to take the exam.

Note that if ANYTHING stated below conflicts with what Dr, Franklin tells you – go with what he says.

You can take the exam using a Windows or Mac computer, OR YOUR IPAD [as long as you are using IOS 12 or later]

  • How to check: Settings –> General –> About –>Software Version.
  • If you are still on IOS 11 or earlier – SHAME on you! You’ve been ignoring all the reminders to update for a good while now!
  • Pick a time when you won’t be needing the iPad for a while. Open Settings –> General –> Software Update and make it happen!

AP requires LockDown Browser from Respondus.

LockDown Browser
from Respondus,
available in the App Portal
  • For your computer, CLICK HERE to download the correct browser and install it.
  • For your iPad, open up the App Portal and search for LockDown Browser. Install it.

Once you’ve installed the browser, AND WELL BEFORE YOU NEED TO TAKE THE EXAM, you need to run a security check. Below are excerpts from the instructions on the AP site. [CLICK HERE for the originals.]

Once the LockDown Browser has been installed on the devices that will be used to take secure assessments, each student needs to complete a Secure Assignment Readiness Check.


Log in to the platform using the device that will be used for the final exam.

  • Students using Windows or Mac computers should use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari 10 or higher.
  • Students using iPads (iOS 12 or higher) should use Safari.
  • Students using Chromebooks should select “College Board” from the Apps link and log in to the platform.

On the Assessments tab, you should see a yellow banner as shown below.

Click the “please complete this readiness check” link. You should see a pop-up to open
LockDown Browser. Click “Open LockDown Browser” and the readiness check will launch.

The LockDown Browser requires certain applications to close. If the pop-up shown below appears, click “Kill these applications.” Feel free to make appropriate bomb-dropping noises as you do.

AFter the check has launched, you should see 6 sample questions. Answer them, click “Submit“, and then exit the LockDown Browser. You have now successfully completed your readiness check.

  • If the exam didn’t launch successfully, check to see if the LockDown browser is installed
  • Send an email to tech or ipad and ask for assistance.
  • If technical issues persist, contact AP using the “Help” option at the top of the screen
iPads, Student

What to do if your iPad needs to be repaired

These are the things MDS Tech does to prepare your iPad for replacement. During this eLearning season, the process needs to change.

Make sure you take care of these things, if your iPad is operational:

1) Confirm that Notability files are being backed up – in Notability, click the gear icon, bottom left. Select Autobackup, and make sure there’s a checkmark beside Google Drive.if there isn’t check it, login, and let the backups commence.

2) Fire up Google Photos. Make sure your photos and videos are backing up to Drive. Click the “hamburger menu” – the three horizontal lines at the top right.

3) if you have anything else that you’d like to keep – Textilus documents, iMovies, etc – find a way to stash them somewhere. You could send them to Drive, or email them to yourself. Each app has it’s own solution.

Then contact MDS Tech to arrange a time to meet in the ARC. We are working partly on campus and partly from home.

Note that the standard policies apply here – there is a $100 charge for the repairs [which usually cost much more than that]. The business office will send an invoice in due course.


Faculty, Faculty/Staff, iPads, Student, Students, Video

iMovie: Do you know how?

See the source image

First, some advice:

  • LANDSCAPE ORIENTATION – over 90% of the time you should be shooting in Landscape orientation [a.k.a. SIDEWAYS]. The ONLY time Portrait Orientation is preferred is if 99% of your audience will be looking at the video on their phone, AND they don’t know how or are too lazy to turn their phone sideways.
  • GOOD AUDIO IS IMPORTANT. After all, without it you just created a silent movie. Talk louder than you think, and be aware of all the noise that it around you [try closing your eyes and listening to the sounds around.]
  • PLAN what is going to happen – it will save time. What shots do you want? What sounds? Where? Who is going to be in it?

Here’s a good process to follow when creating a video

  • Shoot your footage.
  • Get too much video – it’s easier to delete extra material than to stretch out material because you don’t have enough.
  • Put the clips in rough order.
  • Add titles.
  • Record your voiceover, if you are going to add one.
    • After recording bump the volume up as much as you can – avoid a lot of red in the waveform, though a bit is usually OK. Your ears will tell you.
  • Watch it 5 times – look for problem spots and fix them.
  • Export the movie and send it on its way. Google Drive is a good place to stash video.

Some Online Help: