In the digital age of education, ensuring academic integrity is paramount. At UMass Amherst, Blackboard Learn is a central platform for learning and assessment, and Turnitin stands as a vital tool integrated within it. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using Turnitin with Blackboard Learn at UMass Amherst, empowering both instructors and students to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty.
Turnitin is a leading plagiarism prevention service utilized by educational institutions worldwide. It works by comparing student submissions against a vast database of online content, academic papers, and publications to identify potential instances of unoriginal content. UMass Amherst Libraries provides access to Turnitin, seamlessly integrated into the Blackboard Learn environment, making it an accessible and efficient resource for the university community. Since 2006, student papers submitted at UMass Amherst are securely stored in a dedicated database, accessible only to UMass Amherst faculty, respecting student intellectual property rights.
Turnitin Integration with Blackboard Learn at UMass Amherst
For instructors at UMass Amherst who are already leveraging Blackboard Learn for their courses, Turnitin integration offers a streamlined workflow. This integration is particularly beneficial for courses with larger enrollments or those heavily reliant on online submissions. The integration simplifies the process of submitting papers to Turnitin and accessing similarity reports directly within the Blackboard Learn platform.
While Blackboard Learn integration is highly recommended for most courses, instructors who occasionally need to check a few documents outside of the course context can also utilize the Turnitin website directly. For faculty opting to use Turnitin outside of Blackboard Learn, it’s essential to contact the UMass Amherst Library for account information and guidance.
Faculty Guide to Using Turnitin at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst faculty members are encouraged to use plagiarism prevention services like Turnitin as part of the grading process. This aligns with the university’s Academic Regulations, which emphasize intellectual honesty and the importance of original work. The regulations explicitly state that student work may be analyzed for originality, electronically or otherwise, and may be included in a database to check for plagiarism in future submissions.
To effectively utilize Turnitin, faculty should consider the following:
- Within Blackboard Learn: Leverage the integrated Turnitin assignment feature when creating assessments. This allows for automatic submission and similarity report generation for all student submissions.
- Outside Blackboard Learn: For individual document checks, contact the Library for account access and follow Turnitin’s website interface for submission and report review.
- Syllabus Inclusion: Clearly inform students about the use of Turnitin in the course syllabus. Sample syllabus statements are provided below for both mandatory and selective Turnitin use.
Student Guide to Turnitin and Blackboard Learn
For students at UMass Amherst, understanding how to submit assignments through Turnitin within Blackboard Learn is crucial. The process is generally straightforward, but resources are available to ensure a smooth submission experience.
- Blackboard Learn Course Submissions: Instructors using Turnitin within Blackboard Learn will typically set up assignments with Turnitin enabled. Students will submit their work directly through the designated assignment link in their Blackboard Learn course.
- Helpful Resources: UMass Amherst provides resources to guide students through the submission process. The Instructional Media Lab offers helpful guides for Turnitin within Moodle (which shares similarities with Blackboard Learn in this context). Additionally, Continuing and Professional Education provides specific resources for submitting Turnitin assignments in Blackboard Learn.
Sample Syllabus Statements for Turnitin
To ensure transparency and inform students about the use of Turnitin, consider including one of the following paragraphs in your syllabus:
For mandatory Turnitin use for all assignments:
As a condition of continued enrollment in this course, you agree to submit all assignments to Turnitin for textual comparison or originality review. Assignments will be included in the UMass Amherst dedicated Turnitin database, solely for plagiarism detection during grading and in the future. Students not submitting electronically must provide copies of the cover page and first cited page of each source in their bibliography with the final paper to receive a grade.
For selective Turnitin use for suspect assignments:
Students should be aware that suspect assignments may be submitted to Turnitin for plagiarism checking. Submitted assignments will be included in the UMass Amherst Turnitin database for plagiarism detection during grading and in the future. Students must provide an electronic copy for Turnitin submission when requested to receive a grade and avoid potential sanctions.
Getting Help with Turnitin at UMass Amherst
For any questions, assistance, or account information related to Turnitin, UMass Amherst offers dedicated support channels:
- Turnitin Account & General Inquiries: Contact [email protected].
- Turnitin within Blackboard Learn (Instructors): Contact the eLearning group at Continuing and Professional Education at [email protected]. Students should contact the Blackboard 24/7 Help Desk.
- Turnitin within Moodle (Instructors): Contact the Instructional Media Lab (545-2823 | [email protected]). Students should contact the IT Help Center (413-545-9400).
By understanding and utilizing Turnitin effectively within Blackboard Learn, the UMass Amherst community can foster a culture of academic integrity and ensure the originality of student work in the digital learning environment.
