Canvas: Using Turnitin for Similarity Checking and AI Writing Detection

Overview

Turnitin is a tool integrated with Canvas that helps Cedar Crest College instructors review student submissions for similarities to existing sources and, when available, identify text that may have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Turnitin provides two different types of reports:

  • Similarity Report: Identifies text that matches existing sources, including websites, publications, and previously submitted papers.
  • AI Writing Report: Estimates how much qualifying text may have been generated or modified using AI writing tools.

Important: Turnitin reports are intended to support instructor review. Neither a similarity score nor an AI writing detection result is definitive proof of academic misconduct.

1. Enable Turnitin for a Canvas Assignment

  1. Sign in to Canvas.
  2. Open your course and select Assignments.
  3. Create a new assignment or edit an existing one.
  4. Enter the assignment instructions, points, and due date.
  5. Under Submission Type, select Online.
  6. Enable File Uploads or Text Entry.
  7. Locate the Plagiarism Review section and select Turnitin.
  8. Configure the available similarity checking options.
  9. Choose whether students can view their Similarity Reports.
  10. Select Save & Publish when the assignment is ready.

Note: Depending on the Canvas integration, Turnitin may appear under Add Document Processing App rather than Plagiarism Review. Follow the options available in your course.

2. View a Turnitin Similarity Report

After a student submits an assignment, Turnitin processes the submission and generates a Similarity Report.

  1. Open the assignment in Canvas.
  2. Select SpeedGrader.
  3. Choose the student's submission.
  4. Locate the Turnitin similarity indicator or report link.
  5. Select the indicator to open the detailed report.

The report highlights text matching other sources and provides an overall similarity percentage.

Understanding Similarity Scores

A similarity percentage represents the amount of submitted text matching sources in Turnitin's database.

A high percentage does not automatically indicate plagiarism. Matches may include properly cited quotations, references, or commonly used phrases.

Instructors should review the highlighted passages and source information before drawing conclusions.

3. Turnitin AI Writing Detection

Turnitin may also provide an AI Writing Report for eligible submissions when the feature is included in the College's licensing and integration configuration.

The AI Writing Report is separate from the Similarity Report.

View AI Writing Detection Results

  1. Open the student's assignment in Canvas.
  2. Access the Turnitin report through SpeedGrader or the available Turnitin integration.
  3. Locate the AI Writing indicator or report option.
  4. Open the report to review the available results.

The report may identify portions of qualifying text that Turnitin estimates were generated or modified using AI writing tools.

Important Considerations

  • AI detection results are estimates and may contain false positives or false negatives.
  • Not all documents, languages, or file formats qualify for AI writing detection.
  • Short submissions or documents without sufficient qualifying text may not generate a report.
  • AI writing detection results are separate from similarity percentages.
  • Students do not automatically have access to AI Writing Reports.

Important: AI detection results should not be used as the sole basis for an academic integrity determination. Instructors should consider the student's work, assignment requirements, and applicable College policies.

4. Troubleshooting Turnitin

Turnitin Does Not Appear in Assignment Settings

Confirm that the assignment uses an Online submission type with File Uploads or Text Entry enabled.

If Turnitin is still unavailable, contact IT Support.

Similarity Report Is Missing

  • Allow time for Turnitin to process the submission.
  • Confirm that the submitted file is supported.
  • Verify that Turnitin was enabled for the assignment.
  • Check for any processing errors.

AI Writing Report Is Not Available

AI writing detection may be unavailable because of licensing, integration settings, document requirements, or unsupported content.

Contact IT Support if you believe the report should be available.

5. Additional Resources

Need Additional Assistance?

If you experience technical problems using Turnitin in Canvas, submit an IT Support Request.

Include the course name, assignment title, a description of the issue, and any relevant screenshots.

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