Q1: What is the primary difference between a lockdown browser and Chromebook kiosk mode?
A1: A traditional lockdown browser is a standalone software executable installed on Windows or macOS that takes over system-level process controls. Chromebook kiosk mode is an operating-system-level sandbox managed through the cloud via Google Workspace for Education. Kiosk mode launches the assessment without requiring a student profile login, using far fewer device resources while preventing access to background applications and web searches.
Q2: Can students bypass modern browser restrictions using split-screen or external monitors?
A2: No. When configured through managed device policies, operating systems automatically disable multi-monitor output and split-screen window management. If a secondary display is plugged into the device, the kiosk environment either mirrors the locked screen or disables the auxiliary port until the test session ends.
Q3: How do modern lockdown tools protect student data privacy after the 2022 Illuminate breach?
A3: Following the acquisition by Renaissance Learning, assessment engines abandoned invasive client-side monitoring agents. Modern testing setups use encrypted, short-lived session tokens through Google Workspace APIs. No persistent local data, biometric indicators, or webcam footage are captured or stored, significantly reducing compliance exposure under FERPA and COPPA regulations.
