Turnitin similarity checking
Toronto Metropolitan University subscribes to Turnitin, a similarity checking tool. Turnitin Originality Check helps to promote academic integrity by comparing a student’s written assignment submissions against the Turnitin content database and provides instructors with a report showing areas of similarity
- Plagiarism detection tool
- Integrated with D2L Brightspace
Please note that TMU’s Turnitin license agreement specifically allows only student-related, course-based work to be submitted to Turnitin. Internal use by TMU departments is not included in our Turnitin license agreement.
Instructions
Getting Started
Turnitin is integrated within the Toronto Metropolitan University D2L Brightspace environment.
Instructors can enable Turnitin when creating an assignment in D2L Brightspace. The reports and at-a-glance similarity score can be accessed directly from the D2L Brightspace Assignment submission list.
Visit our Turnitin Instructor Guide to learn how to enable Turnitin for assignments.
Update your course outline
Several key considerations must be addressed when using educational technology tools in your course. It is your responsibility to ensure that students are fully informed about the tool, its costs, and other details to align with University policy and Provincial acts.
We strongly encourage you to include all of this essential information in your course outline, to ensure students are aware of how it impacts them.
Refer to the TMU course outline template for some ways to incorporate this information into your course outline and to the Senate Course Outline Policies for guidance on what needs to be included in your course outlines.
Sample course outline content
This course utilizes Turnitin Originality, an external educational technology tool in addition to D2L Brightspace. This tool is used to enhance your course learning experience by promoting academic integrity and detecting possible academic misconduct.
Costs: The tool does not result in additional costs to you.
Other requirements: There are no additional technical requirements for its usage.
Account creation: An account is automatically created through your use of this tool in your D2L Brightspace course.
Data privacy and usage: This tool will have access to your name, TMU email address, and academic work, and it is visible to All course instructors, Academic Assistants, and Graders. This information will be retained within Brightspace for 2 years, in case of potential appeals or FIPPA requests.
Opt-out options: This tool does have an opt-out policy, and you may inquire with your instructor regarding alternative assessment options, if available.
For technical support regarding Turnitin Originality, please visit the Student Support page.
Students
Submit your assignment in the Assignments tool in D2L Brightspace.
Your instructor may have enabled the Turnitin similarity checking service on your assignment.
This service has its own set of requirements for file uploads.
Support
- For Turnitin issues related to D2L Brightspace, please email courses@torontomu.ca.
- For Turnitin issues which are not related to D2L Brightspace, instructors can submit a ticket directed to the Turnitin Helpdesk (external link)
- Turnitin Instructor Guide
- Visit the Academic Integrity Office
- Instructions for submitting Turnitin-enabled assignments
Details
Integrated with D2L Brightspace?: Yes
Contract Start: 2015
Contract End: TBD
Additional Information
2024: Turnitin removed e-rater from all products, as Educational Testing Services (ETS) ended support of their e-rater grammar service.
2022: Removal of grading and feedback functionalities. Instructors continue to have access to Turnitin for originality checking.
Users are encouraged to use the grading, annotation and feedback features available in the Brightspace Assignment tool in tandem with Turnitin Originality. Please visit our Brightspace Assignment resource to learn more.
Turnitin Status Page
Find real-time information about the Turnitin status as well as updates about scheduled maintenance and past incidents.
More information
- For more information on Academic Integrity initiatives and resources, visit the Academic Integrity Office website
- Turnitin Known Issues (external link)
