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On this page:

Table of Contents


First things first: caveats and notices

The public-spirited University of Northampton have posted on an instance of data loss. In short:

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Digital Education isn't promoting this app and can only support it on a best-efforts basis. As third-party software used on personal equipment, and consequently a varied and changing setting, we in Digital Education can't assume a standard iPad model, iOS version, or app versions, can't become experts, and can't test updates in advance of their release. That said, we know the app is out there and being used, which is why we've produced this guidance.  We'd also recommend signing up for alerts directly from Turnitin. Precise instructions further down this page.

How is the iPad app useful?

You can now mark students' work offline, and you have more choice about where you mark.

Like the web version, the app provides Turnitin's suite of marking tools - bubble comments, quickmarks, voice comments, rubrics, highlights, text comments, strike-throughs, grades and the rest, along with originality reports, and the full sources of any matches.

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Is it just for iPads?

Yes - Turnitin don't plan to support any other type of tablet or computer for offline marking at this stage.

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Is it compatible with all iPads?

Turnitin recommends that the app be used on iPad devices that are second generation or higher with iOS6 or higher (though it reports fixing issues with IOS5.1) .

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To keep informed, check Turnitin’s System Status alerts or on Twitter to @TurnitinStatus)

How can I install the app?

First install the app on your iPad - in the usual way from the iTunes AppStore. It's simply called 'Turnitin'.

Note

Upgrading your app? To reduce the possibility of crashes, uninstall the existing app before installing any new version.

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How do I get work from Turnitin onto my iPad?

First do a trial run

Since this is third-party software on personal equipment, we in Digital Education cannot assume a standard iPad model, iOS version, or app versions - these are personal rather than institutional will vary between people.

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After that, begin with just one or two actual submissions at a time, syncing frequently and checking that marks and feedback upload to the server as expected. Hopefully this will go smoothly and you can gain confidence in the app.

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How do I link the app with my Turnitin assignment?

Note

Before you do anything else, link your app to TurnitinUK - to do this see Turnitin's guidance on 'Access for TurnitinUK users'.

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You'll notice that when you get an access code, it will add all Turnitin assignments on that Moodle course.

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My assignment doesn't have any submissions - can I get an access code?

The only reason we can think of that you'd need to do this is to test out the app before your students submit - for this kind of familiarisation we've provided some test assignments for you to work with. 

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(By the way, you can generate the access code from your iPad using the web browser - no need for a computer.)

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Will the app let me filter student work by their Moodle Groups?

No - because the app itself connects directly with the Turnitin servers, bypassing Moodle entirely.

Groups only come into effect if you mark in the web version of Turnitin.

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Can I link several assignments at once?

Yes - you can add multiple access codes, and therefore multiple Turnitin submission inboxes. 

Info

Note that the amount of storage space Turnitin takes up on your iPad depends on the amount of work you're downloading. 

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Can I unlink an assignment?

Only by unlinking all assignments:

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  1. tap the Profile icon (top right); Profile then loads
  2. tap the red 'Unlink iPad from Turnitin' button.

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How do I find the assignments on the app?

How do I get to the assignments?

At the top of the app screen is a button - depending on your context it is labelled Accounts, or Classes, or Assignments. Tapping this displays a sidebar.

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Or to display the sidebar again, tap the button labelled Accounts, or Classes, or Assignments.

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How do I switch between assignments?

See 'How do I get to the assignments?' above.

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Can I mark offline?

Yes - in fact the iPad app is the only way to mark offline in Turnitin.

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Note that several of Moodle's own assignment types allow anonymous submission and offline marking, too.

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How do I mark?

To quickly get started marking papers in Turnitin for iPad, you need to know "TPS" - Tap, Press, Swipe:

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For more in-depth information about using Turnitin for iPad, check out the interactive tutorial using the “Try Tutorial” button inside the app.

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Does the app allow multiple markers at once, or shared marking for a submission inbox?

This needs care and attention because syncing from your iPad isn't 'syncing' in the strict sense of the word; although Turnitin technically allows different markers, it hasn't designed the software for them. So rather than merging marks and comments, syncing will overwrite any existing marks and comments. Marks will be saved from the last device marks were synced from.  If the marker on the iPad app didn't have the markings of the other markers synched to the iPad app prior to creating his or her markings, then only the markers who used the iPad app will have their markings synced and saved. This is because Turnitin only provides for a single marker at any one time.

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Second marking? Ensure that the first round of marking is completed before allowing the second marker access to each first marker's cohort. That way when the second marker syncs to the iPad, that sync will include the first marker's markings.

How can I see an Originality Report?

To view matches from the OriginalityCheck in Turnitin for iPad:

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NOTE: Setting exclusions and inclusions such as excluding quoted material, viewing of alternate sources, requesting to view student source papers, and refreshing Originality Reports must be performed through Turnitin directly or through the Turnitin integration in your LMS.

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How do my marks get from my iPad onto Moodle and Turnitin?

You need to Sync.

  1. Check to be certain that your iPad is online (try going to a new page in Safari)
  2. Open Turnitin for iPad
  3. Click the Sync button at the top right (arrow in a circle)

    Note

    It's a good idea to sync as often as you can, as insurance against worst case scenarios such as a baboon making off with your iPad or capsizing in your kayak and watching it float irretrievably over the 150 metre waterfall, etc.

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What about security?

Even when the app is closed it still remembers all classes that have been accessed. You simply need to open the app to access them. This means the security to the device itself is paramount, and the only protection for student papers and grades.

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For tighter security - but only if you're online and can Sync first - you could log out of Turnitin when you aren't using it. When you log in again, link the assignment and run a Sync to resume marking where you left off.

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Is it healthier?

Any long spells in the same position or making small repetitive movements has its occupational health implications - whether online or on paper. iPads are no exception.

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Take plenty of breaks and exercise.

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How can I keep up to date with Turnitin developments?

You can follow Turnitin developments directly via:

Where can I get further help?

More help and FAQs are available on the Turnitin iPad page.

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