Ever submitted an assignment feeling unsure if you properly cited all your sources? In today's academic environment, maintaining originality and properly attributing sources is paramount. Universities and colleges increasingly rely on tools like Turnitin integrated within Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Canvas to help students understand and uphold academic integrity standards. Knowing how to effectively use Turnitin in Canvas isn't just about avoiding plagiarism; it's about mastering the research and writing skills essential for academic success and building a reputation for scholarly honesty.
Turnitin's integration within Canvas provides a streamlined way to submit assignments and receive feedback on originality. It allows you to proactively review your work, identify areas for improvement, and ensure your citations are accurate. By understanding how to access, interpret, and act on the Originality Reports generated by Turnitin, you can confidently submit your assignments, knowing you've taken the necessary steps to uphold academic integrity and demonstrate your understanding of proper citation practices. Mastering this tool is an investment in your academic future and overall writing development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Turnitin in Canvas
How do I submit an assignment to Turnitin through Canvas?
To submit an assignment to Turnitin through Canvas, navigate to the assignment within your Canvas course, carefully review the assignment instructions, and click the "Submit Assignment" button. You will then be prompted to upload your file, agree to the Turnitin user agreement if required, and finalize your submission.
Once you click "Submit Assignment," you will typically have the option to upload a file directly from your computer or, in some cases, from cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Ensure that your document is in a compatible file format (e.g., .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt) and adheres to any specified file size limitations outlined by your instructor. Before completing the submission, double-check that you've uploaded the correct version of your document and that it's free of any accidental errors. After uploading your file, carefully review any Turnitin-specific terms or agreements presented. Some instructors may require you to explicitly agree to Turnitin's end-user license agreement before the submission is processed. Once you're satisfied with your uploaded document and have acknowledged any necessary agreements, click the final submission button (often labeled "Submit Assignment," "Confirm Submission," or similar). A confirmation message or on-screen notification will usually appear to indicate that your submission was successful, and Turnitin will begin processing your document for originality. You may be able to view the Turnitin similarity report after a short processing period, depending on your instructor's settings.What do the Turnitin similarity report scores mean in Canvas?
The Turnitin similarity score in Canvas represents the percentage of a student's submission that matches text found in Turnitin's database, which includes websites, published works, and other student papers. It's an indicator of potential plagiarism, but a high score doesn't automatically mean plagiarism has occurred; it simply flags sections that require closer examination by the instructor.
A low similarity score (e.g., below 10%) generally suggests the work is original, but it's crucial to still review the report to ensure proper citation of sources. Moderate scores (10-25%) often indicate some matching content, possibly due to quoted material or common phrases; again, a detailed review is necessary to determine if the material is correctly attributed. High scores (above 25%) warrant serious attention and require careful scrutiny to determine the extent of plagiarism, improper paraphrasing, or inadequate citation. Instructors should analyze the specific matches within the report to understand the context and nature of the flagged content. Ultimately, the similarity score is a tool to aid instructors in evaluating student work. It's not a definitive judgment of plagiarism, but rather a starting point for further investigation. Factors such as the subject matter, assignment type, and citation practices need to be considered alongside the similarity score to reach an informed conclusion about the originality and academic integrity of the submission. Always click the similarity report to see the matches. The report will highlight which areas of text match other sources.Where can I find Turnitin feedback on my Canvas submission?
You can typically find Turnitin feedback on your Canvas submission by accessing the assignment directly through the Grades section or the specific assignment link within your Canvas course. Once you've located the assignment, look for a colored similarity score indicator or a "View Feedback" button, which will launch the Turnitin Feedback Studio in a new window or tab.
The colored similarity score indicator, usually a percentage within a colored circle (e.g., blue, green, yellow, orange, red), provides a quick overview of the originality report. Clicking on this indicator will open the Turnitin Feedback Studio. Within the Feedback Studio, you'll find the full similarity report, which highlights sections of your submission that match other sources. You can also access any feedback your instructor has left, including inline comments, general comments, and rubric scores, if applicable. Navigation within Turnitin is usually fairly intuitive; look for tabs or icons that allow you to toggle between the similarity report and the instructor feedback layers.
Sometimes, depending on how your instructor has configured the assignment, Turnitin feedback might not be immediately available after submission. Your instructor might set a specific date for the release of feedback. If you're unable to locate the feedback using the methods described above, it's best to contact your instructor directly to inquire about the availability of the Turnitin report and feedback.
How do I resubmit an assignment to Turnitin in Canvas after a revision?
To resubmit an assignment to Turnitin in Canvas after revising it, you essentially repeat the original submission process. Navigate back to the assignment in Canvas, and you should see an option to "Resubmit Assignment" or "Submit Assignment" again (the wording may vary slightly depending on your instructor's settings). Click this button and upload your revised file, ensuring it meets the assignment requirements and accepted file types.
When you resubmit, Turnitin will generate a new similarity report for the revised version. Be aware that resubmissions may take time to process, and the new report might not be available immediately. If you resubmit close to the assignment deadline, keep this processing time in mind to ensure your instructor can view the report before grading. It's always a good practice to carefully review the new similarity report to check if further revisions are necessary before the final deadline. It's also important to note that some instructors may limit the number of resubmissions allowed or delay the availability of the Similarity Report after a resubmission. Check your assignment instructions or syllabus for any specific policies your instructor has set regarding Turnitin resubmissions. If you're unsure about the resubmission process or have concerns about the Similarity Report, reach out to your instructor or the Canvas support team for clarification and assistance.How does Turnitin handle group submissions in Canvas?
Turnitin, through its Canvas integration, allows for group submissions, but it's crucial to understand that only **one** submission per group is analyzed for originality. Typically, the instructor determines how group submissions are handled within the Canvas assignment settings, with the most common approach being that any member of the group can submit the work, and that single submission represents the group's effort.
When a group assignment is set up in Canvas and integrated with Turnitin, only one group member needs to submit the assignment. Turnitin then generates an Originality Report based on that single submission. All members of the group will typically be able to view the Originality Report generated for their group's submission. The similarity score and the report itself reflects the entire group's work as presented in that one uploaded document.
Instructors have the ability to view the submission details and the Originality Report for each group through the Canvas SpeedGrader. It's important to note that Turnitin itself doesn't inherently track individual contributions within a group submission; the originality score applies to the submitted document as a whole. If instructors require individual contribution assessments, they may need to employ supplementary methods like individual reflections or peer evaluations.
Can I see my Turnitin originality report before the due date in Canvas?
Whether you can see your Turnitin originality report before the due date in Canvas depends entirely on the settings chosen by your instructor for that specific assignment. Some instructors allow students to view the report immediately or after a certain period, while others restrict access until after the due date.
To determine if pre-submission viewing is enabled, check the assignment details in Canvas. Look for information regarding Turnitin settings. If the instructor has allowed it, you should see an option to submit your paper to Turnitin and then view the originality report. If you don't see an option to view the report after submitting, or if the settings are unclear, the best course of action is to contact your instructor directly for clarification. They can tell you if and when the reports will be available. Remember, the purpose of allowing you to see the report beforehand is to give you the opportunity to review your work for unintentional plagiarism and make necessary revisions before the final submission. Taking advantage of this opportunity can significantly improve the originality and quality of your submitted work.What file types are compatible with Turnitin in Canvas?
Turnitin in Canvas accepts a wide variety of file types for submission, including Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), PDF (.pdf), plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), HTML (.htm, .html), WordPerfect (.wpd), PostScript (.ps), and OpenOffice (.odt). It is important to note that the document must contain at least 20 words of text to generate a Similarity Report.
While Turnitin supports a diverse range of file types, submitting in a compatible format is crucial for ensuring accurate Similarity Reports. Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) and PDF (.pdf) are generally the preferred and most reliable formats. When submitting a PDF, make sure it is text-based and not a scanned image, as Turnitin cannot process images for text matching. Using less common file types might lead to unexpected formatting issues or prevent Turnitin from properly extracting text, impacting the Similarity Score.
Submitting files that are password-protected, encrypted, or corrupted can prevent Turnitin from processing them. Similarly, files exceeding the maximum file size limit (usually 100MB) or containing images as the primary content cannot be processed effectively. Always double-check your file format and ensure it's unlocked and accessible before submitting it to Turnitin via Canvas.
And that's all there is to it! Hopefully, this guide has made using Turnitin within Canvas a little less daunting. Thanks for taking the time to read through, and we hope it helps you ace those assignments. Come back and visit us again soon for more Canvas tips and tricks!