Turnitin is a software designed to verify the originality of student submissions in academic settings. Integrated into Canvas, Turnitin can be used to compare student submissions to an extensive database of academic papers, web pages, and other student work to identify content similarities. This tool supports educators in ensuring the authenticity of student work and assists students in understanding the importance of originality and proper citation practices in their academic papers.
Why Use Turnitin?
Turnitin is integrated with the Canvas Assignment tool, so it is quick and easy to enable it for use with your new or pre-existing assignments. Although Turnitin is typically thought of as a plagiarism detection tool, it can often be unreliable. Turnitin may mistakenly identify common phrases and properly cited work as plagiarism. Instead of relying on the tool solely to detect plagiarism, consider utilizing Turnitin as a tool to help improve your students’ writing. It can be used to:
Educate students on proper citation and references
Create scaffolded assessments for the research paper development process
Provide authentic inline feedback on students’ writing
Things to Consider When Using Turnitin
The AI detection feature of Turnitin is currently disabled. Please review Generative AI for Teaching for information on AI detection software limitations.
Student submissions WILL NOT be used to train Turnitin’s Large Language Mode (LLM), and the tool has been thoroughly vetted for security and student data protections as recommended by OIT.
Turnitin is optional and can be used on an assignment-by-assignment basis.
We have two options available for using Turnitin in Canvas: Plagiarism Framework and Turnitin LTI. Please view the LTI vs. Plagiarism Framework guide to determine which feature is best for you.
Consider the following when selecting a repository during assignment setup
Institutional repository: Student submissions are stored in a PSU-only database and are NEVER shared without outside institutions that leverage Turnitin.
Do not store papers: Assignments will be compared against but will not be stored in any repository.
Syllabus Statement When Using Turnitin
If using Turnitin in your course, include the following statement in your course syllabus:
Note: Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission review for textual similarity for the purpose of detecting unoriginal writing, including plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting unoriginal writing, including plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Turnitin Acceptable Use posted on the Turnitin.com website.
Turnitin should not be relied upon as a definitive source of truth that a student engaged in academic misconduct. Consider reviewing the Encouraging Academic Integrity through Course Design guide for more information.
