Product Overview of Turnitin
Turnitin is a comprehensive educational technology platform designed to uphold academic integrity, improve learning outcomes, and streamline the assessment and grading process for educators and students across various educational levels.
What Turnitin Does
Turnitin is primarily a plagiarism detection software that scans student work, comparing it against a vast database of student submissions, publications, and internet content to identify matched text and ensure originality. However, its capabilities extend far beyond plagiarism detection, encompassing a range of tools and features aimed at enhancing the educational experience.
Key Features and Functionality
Plagiarism Detection and Originality Checking
Turnitin generates a Similarity Report that quantifies the similarity between a student’s work and existing content. This report is created by breaking the text into phrases, comparing them against a database of seven trillion possible matches, and employing natural language processing to minimize false positives.
AI Writing Detection
Turnitin has developed an AI writing detector that identifies AI-generated content, such as that produced by ChatGPT and GPT-3, with a high accuracy rate of 97% and a very low false positive rate. This feature is integrated into the existing workflow, allowing educators to analyze content and provide feedback seamlessly.
Grading and Feedback Tools
- Feedback Studio: This tool enables instructors to give feedback and grade essays and long-form writing assignments, fostering writing excellence and academic integrity.
- Gradescope: Instructors can build, administer, and grade various types of assignments, including paper-based, bubble sheet, digital, and code assignments, whether in-person, online, or hybrid.
Assessment and Exam Solutions
- ExamSoft: This feature helps prepare students for careers by addressing potential gaps in curriculum and assessment, meeting accreditation requirements, and providing a secure and reliable digital exam experience.
- ProctorExam: Turnitin offers solutions for proctored exams to ensure the integrity of online assessments.
Comprehensive Similarity Detection
Turnitin checks for various forms of misconduct, including text similarity, synonym swapping, contract cheating, AI writing, and AI paraphrasing. This ensures that every assessment maintains integrity at its core.
Integration and Workflow
Turnitin is often integrated into learning management systems like Canvas, making it easy to create assignments and use its features within the existing educational workflow. It also offers flexible solutions for integration and commercial partnerships through the Turnitin Partner Program.
Research and Publication
For academic researchers and publishers, Turnitin provides tools to check for similarity and ensure the originality of scholarly works, allowing them to publish with confidence.
Additional Benefits
- User-Friendly Interface: Turnitin’s tools are designed to be user-friendly, providing clear insights and faster feedback to both educators and students.
- Compliance with Educational Regulations: Turnitin is compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), ensuring that student data is handled in accordance with educational privacy laws.
- Resource and Support: Turnitin offers various resources, including guides, tutorials, and support services, to help educators effectively incorporate its tools into their teaching practices.
In summary, Turnitin is a robust platform that supports academic integrity, enhances learning outcomes, and simplifies the assessment process through its advanced plagiarism detection, AI writing identification, grading tools, and comprehensive assessment solutions.