Master Plagiarism Detection with Turnitin

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Turnitin?
3. Benefits of Turnitin Integration with Canvas
4. How to Implement Turnitin in Canvas
   • Step 1: Adding an Assignment
   • Step 2: Selecting Submission Type and Turnitin Integration
   • Step 3: Choosing Storage Options and Comparison Sources
   • Step 4: Enabling Originality Reports for Students
   • Step 5: Allowing Resubmissions and Using Turnitin as a Learning Tool
5. Testing Turnitin with Student Views
6. Understanding Similarity Scores
   • What is a Similarity Score?
   • Interpreting Similarity Scores
   • Common Errors and Troubleshooting
7. Checking Similarity Score and Feedback as a Teacher
   • Accessing Submission Details
   • Examining Similarity Score Breakdown and Sources
   • Using Filters and Downloading Papers
   • Reviewing Grades and Identifying Plagiarism
8. Conclusion

Turnitin Integration with Canvas: A Powerful Tool for Plagiarism Detection and Student Learning

Plagiarism is a significant concern in academic institutions, and educators are constantly seeking effective methods to prevent and address it. Turnitin, a widely used plagiarism detection software, has recently introduced an integration with Canvas, a popular learning management system. This integration offers several benefits for both instructors and students, including seamless assignment submission and automatic plagiarism checking. In this article, we will explore the various features and advantages of Turnitin integration with Canvas, along with a step-by-step guide on how to implement and utilize this powerful tool effectively.

Introduction

In the digital age, where information is readily accessible, it is crucial to ensure academic integrity and promote originality in student work. Turnitin, a leading plagiarism detection software, has been widely adopted by educational institutions worldwide. With the recent integration of Turnitin with Canvas, instructors can now streamline the process of assigning and grading papers while ensuring academic honesty.

What is Turnitin?

Turnitin is an online plagiarism detection software that compares submitted papers against a vast database of academic content, including publications, journals, and student work. It identifies matching text and provides a similarity score, indicating the percentage of content that appears similar to existing sources. This valuable tool helps educators detect potential instances of plagiarism and promotes academic integrity by fostering a culture of originality.

Benefits of Turnitin Integration with Canvas

The integration of Turnitin with Canvas brings several benefits to both instructors and students. Here are some key advantages of using this integrated tool:

1. Seamless Assignment Submission: With Turnitin integration, students can submit their assignments directly through Canvas, eliminating the need for separate platforms or manual submission processes. This streamlines the workflow for both students and instructors, saving time and effort.

2. Automatic Plagiarism Checking: Turnitin automatically checks submitted papers for plagiarism by comparing them to a vast database of academic content. Instructors receive similarity scores, which indicate the percentage of matching text, helping them identify potential instances of plagiarism.

3. Increased Academic Integrity: By using Turnitin's plagiarism detection capabilities, instructors can promote academic integrity and discourage students from submitting plagiarized work. The integration with Canvas makes it easier to detect and address potential cases of plagiarism, fostering a culture of originality.

4. Learning Tool for Students: Turnitin's integration with Canvas allows instructors to Show originality reports to students. This feature enables students to identify and learn from their mistakes, encouraging them to improve their writing skills and avoid plagiarism in future assignments.

5. Efficient Grading and Feedback: The integrated Turnitin tool makes it easier for instructors to evaluate and provide feedback on student submissions. The platform offers features such as annotation tools, rubrics, and grading grids that facilitate efficient grading and personalized feedback, promoting student learning.

Implementing Turnitin in Canvas is a straightforward process. Let's explore the step-by-step instructions on how to set up Turnitin for plagiarism detection and build a culture of academic integrity within your institution.

How to Implement Turnitin in Canvas

Step 1: Adding an Assignment

To implement Turnitin in Canvas, start by creating an assignment in your Canvas course. Navigate to the desired module, click on "Add an Assignment," and provide a title and description for the assignment.

Step 2: Selecting Submission Type and Turnitin Integration

In the assignment settings, choose the submission type as "Online" and select "File Upload." This allows students to submit file types such as Word documents or PDFs. In the same settings, locate the "Plagiarism Review" option and change it from "None" to "Turnitin Immediately." This enables Turnitin's plagiarism detection features for the assignment.

Step 3: Choosing Storage Options and Comparison Sources

Under the Turnitin settings, You can choose where the submissions will be stored. The options include the standard paper repository or not storing the submitted papers. Use the standard paper repository for most assignments, but select the Second option if you wish to exclude certain papers from the Turnitin database (e.g., draft papers that shouldn't be checked for similarity). By default, Turnitin will compare submissions against student repository, Website content, periodicals, journals, and publications.

Step 4: Enabling Originality Reports for Students

To enhance the learning value of Turnitin, make sure to enable the display of originality reports to students. You can choose to show it immediately after submission, after the assignment is graded, after the due date, or Never. Allowing immediate access to originality reports encourages students to review and correct any flagged similarities, fostering a proactive approach to learning from mistakes.

Step 5: Allowing Resubmissions and Using Turnitin as a Learning Tool

Consider enabling resubmissions for assignments in which you want students to learn from their mistakes and improve their work. By allowing resubmissions, students can make corrections Based on the feedback they receive, transforming Turnitin from a purely punitive tool to a valuable learning resource.

Once you have completed these steps, save and publish the assignment, making it available to students. In the next section, we will explore how to test Turnitin using student views and understand how to interpret similarity scores.

Testing Turnitin with Student Views

To ensure a seamless experience for students, it is recommended to test the Turnitin integration using student views. Within the assignment settings, access the "Student View" feature. Here, you can submit a sample file that contains clear instances of plagiarism. However, be aware that the submission process may require students to agree to the Turnitin End-User License Agreement, which may not be explicitly stated. It is advisable to communicate this requirement to students in the assignment instructions.

By testing Turnitin in student views, you can ensure that the submission and similarity checking processes function correctly from a student's perspective. This helps identify any potential issues or ambiguities in the user experience and allows you to address them proactively.

Understanding Similarity Scores

What is a Similarity Score?

A similarity score, provided by Turnitin, indicates the percentage of a student's submission that matches existing sources in the Turnitin database. It offers insights into the originality of the submitted work and serves as a starting point for instructors to review potential instances of plagiarism. However, it is crucial to remember that similarity scores alone do not classify a paper as plagiarized or not; they require further examination and Context.

Interpreting Similarity Scores

When interpreting similarity scores, it is essential to consider multiple factors, such as the nature of the assignment, the sources flagged, and the student's writing style. A high similarity score does not automatically imply intentional plagiarism. It could indicate a variety of factors, including improper citation, extensive use of quotations, or even unintentional text similarities in a research-heavy assignment.

Common Errors and Troubleshooting

While using Turnitin, you may come across common errors or encounter challenges. Some common errors include a delay in similarity score calculation, incomplete reports, or false positives. In such cases, it is advisable to consult Turnitin's support documentation or reach out to their technical support team to resolve any issues.

Checking Similarity Score and Feedback as a Teacher

As an instructor, it is crucial to understand how to access and interpret similarity scores for student submissions. Here's a step-by-step guide on reviewing similarity scores and providing feedback:

Accessing Submission Details

Through the Canvas interface, navigate to the specific assignment and click on "SpeedGrader." This will allow you to access the submission details for each student. Within the submission details, you will find a small clock icon indicating that the similarity score is pending calculation. Once the score is calculated, it will be displayed.

Examining Similarity Score Breakdown and Sources

By clicking on the similarity score, you can view a breakdown of the matching sources and their respective percentages. This breakdown provides valuable insights into the similarities detected and allows you to determine the originality of the submission. Additionally, you can use filters to exclude sources like bibliographies or quotes to get a more accurate representation of the student's work.

Using Filters and Downloading Papers

Within the Turnitin interface, you have the option to Apply filters to exclude specific sources or types of content from the similarity score calculation. This can be useful when reviewing papers to ensure accuracy and exclude irrelevant matches. Furthermore, you can download the entire paper for offline review or print purposes.

Reviewing Grades and Identifying Plagiarism

In the Canvas grade book, papers with high similarity scores will be flagged with a red tab. Clicking on the tab enables you to access the paper and examine the similarity score percentage in Detail. This makes it easier to identify instances of potential plagiarism and take appropriate actions, such as providing additional feedback or initiating disciplinary procedures.

Conclusion

The integration of Turnitin with Canvas offers a powerful tool for plagiarism detection and promoting academic integrity. It streamlines the assignment submission process, provides automatic plagiarism checking, and enables instructors to provide valuable feedback to students. By implementing Turnitin effectively, educators can transform it into a learning tool that encourages originality and enhances the quality of student writing. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Turnitin integration with Canvas is a valuable asset for educational institutions committed to maintaining academic integrity.

Highlights

• Seamless assignment submission through Turnitin integration with Canvas saves time and effort for both students and instructors.
• Automatic plagiarism checking by Turnitin helps educators identify potential instances of plagiarism and promote academic integrity.
• Turnitin's originality reports act as a learning tool for students, enabling them to identify and learn from their mistakes.
• The similarity scores provided by Turnitin indicate the percentage of matching text in a student's submission but require further examination and context.
• Instructors can access submission details, examine similarity score breakdown and sources, and use filters to review student papers effectively.
• Turnitin integration with Canvas fosters a culture of academic integrity and enhances the quality of student writing.

FAQs

Q: Can Turnitin detect all types of plagiarism? A: Turnitin can identify text similarities in a submitted paper, including direct matches, paraphrased content, and poorly cited sources. However, it is important to note that Turnitin is an automated tool and its effectiveness may vary based on the sources and algorithms used.

Q: How long does it take for Turnitin to calculate the similarity score? A: The time taken for Turnitin to calculate the similarity score may vary based on several factors, including server load and the length of the submission. Generally, it takes a few minutes, but it can be longer during peak usage periods.

Q: Can Turnitin detect plagiarism in non-textual content, such as images or videos? A: Turnitin primarily focuses on textual content and does not have robust capabilities for detecting plagiarism in non-textual content. It is primarily designed for analyzing written assignments.

Q: Can students resubmit their assignments after receiving an originality report? A: The option to allow resubmissions is determined by the instructor. If enabled, students can make corrections based on the feedback received from the originality report and resubmit their assignments for reevaluation.

Q: Is Turnitin integration available for all versions of Canvas? A: The availability of Turnitin integration may depend on the specific version and settings of your Canvas implementation. It is recommended to consult your institution's Canvas administrator or support team for more information on your specific setup.

Q: Can Turnitin detect sources that are not accessible to the public, such as subscription-based databases or password-protected websites? A: Turnitin's database includes a broad range of sources, including subscription-based databases and websites. However, it depends on the accessibility of the content and the agreements in place between Turnitin and the content providers. The detection of non-public sources may vary.