Every exam season students ask the same thing: can Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard see what I’m doing? The honest answer is that these platforms log far less than the rumors claim. On their own they’re websites, not spyware — they record timestamps, page views, and your IP, but they can’t see your screen, your other tabs, or your room. Real monitoring only starts when your instructor adds a proctoring tool like Respondus or Proctorio — and you’re always told when that happens.
Here’s exactly what each platform can and can’t detect.
What each LMS can detect
| Can it detect… | Canvas | Moodle | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your other browser tabs | No* | No | No |
| That you left the quiz | Yes (Classic log) | Only with SEB | Only with LockDown |
| Your screen (recording) | No** | No** | No** |
| Copy-paste | Plagiarism tool only | Plagiarism tool only | Plagiarism tool only |
| Your IP address | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Your GPS location | No — IP only | No — IP only | No — IP only |
| A second monitor | No** | No** | No** |
| Your webcam / room | No** | No** | No** |
* Canvas logs that the quiz tab lost focus, never which tab you opened. ** only when a proctoring tool (Respondus, Proctorio, Honorlock) is enabled.
Canvas
Canvas tracks data, not you — your IP, page views, and quiz timing, but not your screen or other tabs.
- What does Canvas track?
- Does Canvas track your tabs?
- Does Canvas record your screen?
- Can Canvas detect copy and paste?
Moodle
Plain Moodle logs your activity inside a course but can’t watch your screen or detect tab switching without an add-on.
Blackboard
Standard Blackboard tests track activity within the platform, but can’t see your screen, tabs, or a second monitor unless proctoring is enabled.
Proctoring tools (the part that actually watches you)
When an exam requires LockDown Browser, Respondus Monitor, or Proctorio, the rules change — webcam, screen, and tab controls kick in.
The bottom line
Without a required download or webcam check, your LMS sees timestamps, page views, and your IP — not your screen, your other tabs, or where you are. If a tool asks to install software or turn on your camera, that’s the moment real monitoring begins.
FAQ
Can my professor see my screen through Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard?
No — not unless a proctoring tool is enabled for that exam. On their own, LMS platforms can’t view or record your screen.
Do online exams record you?
Only proctored ones. A tool like Respondus Monitor or Proctorio records your webcam; a normal quiz does not.
Is my LMS spying on me?
No — it logs activity data (pages, times, IP) inside its own platform, not your device or your room.
Last updated: July 2026.