This guide is for staff using the Turnitin iPad App to mark students' work in Turnitin. I
On this page:
First things first: caveats
- More than one marker for an essay? Be aware that synching from your iPad isn't 'synching' in the strict sense of the word - rather than merging marks and comments, synching will overwrite any existing marks and comments. In other words, marks will be saved from the last device that marks were synched 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 synched and saved. This is because, as Turnitin only provides for a single marker at any one time.
- ELE can only support the iPad app on a best-efforts basis. This is because the app is third-party software used on personal equipment, and consequently a varied and changing setting. This means that we in ELE 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. So we will try our best to help, but can't guarantee to solve every problem.
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.
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.
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) .
Note that installing Apple iOS upgrades before Turnitin has released a compatible upgrade to its iPad app may interfere with the running of the app. There are alternatives for avoiding this. One is to delay upgrading iOS until Turnitin has caught up and released a compatible version; the other is to upgrade iOS but avoid using the app until there is a new version. A third is to upgrade one or the other and then proceed with caution, testing dummy submissions first, synching a few at a time and checking carefully.
To keep informed, subscribe to Turnitin’s System Status alerts at http://submit.ac.uk/en_int/support-and-training/system-status and on Twitter to @TurnitinProduct)
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'.
Upgrading your app? To reduce the possibility of crashes, uninstall the existing app before installing any new version.
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 ELE cannot assume a standard iPad model, iOS version, or app versions - these are personal rather than institutional will vary between people.
Consequently, following the instructions below, we strongly recommend starting off with some test submissions first. You can find these on the E-Learning Champions Network Moodle area (open to all staff).
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.
How do I link the app with my Turnitin assignment?
Before you do anything else, link your app to TurnitinUK - to do this see Turnitin's guidance on 'Access for TurnitinUK users'.
Before you start,
- make sure the assignment in question has at least one submission in it (otherwise you can't get to its Document Viewer to generate a unique access code)
- and have you linked your app to TurnitinUK yet? Do that first - Turnitin has instructions.
Next Turnitin has step-by step guidance for generating the code and entering it into the app.
You'll notice that when you get an access code, it will add all Turnitin assignments on that Moodle course.
My assignment doesn't have any assignments - can I get an access code?
Yes, if you log into your Moodle course using a Test Moodle Account, and submit a dummy submission. Contact ele@ucl.ac.uk for details.
(By the way, you can generate the access code from your iPad using the web browser - no need for a computer.)
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.
Can I link several assignments at once?
Yes - you can add multiple access codes, and therefore multiple Turnitin submission inboxes. See Turnitin's FAQs for instructions.
Note that the amount of storage space Turnitin takes up on your iPad depends on the amount of work you're downloading.
Can I unlink an assignment?
Only by unlinking all assignments:
Make sure you've turned Sync Papers on, otherwise your marking will be lost.
- tap the Profile icon (top right); Profile then loads
- tap the red 'Unlink iPad from Turnitin' button.
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.
- Accounts - select University College London
- Classes - select the name of the Moodle course area containing the assignment you want to mark.
- Assignments - select the assignment containing the submissions you want to mark.
To hide the sidebar, tap elsewhere on the screen.
Or to display the sidebar again, tap the button labelled Accounts, or Classes, or Assignments.
How do I switch between assignments?
See 'How do I get to the assignments?' above.
Can I mark offline?
Yes - in fact the iPad app is the only way to mark offline in Turnitin.
Remember to Sync when you connect again, to upload the marked work to Turnitin's servers so that colleagues and students can access it.
Note that several of Moodle's own assignment types allow anonymous submission and offline marking, too.
How do I mark?
To quickly get started marking papers in Turnitin for iPad, you need to know "TPS" - Tap, Press, Swipe:
- Tap on the paper for most interactions such as leaving marks
- Press to select text or marks
- Drag to move marks or change the selection length
- Swipe across with one finger to access the Grade Overview
- Tap to change grades, mark rubrics, and leave general and Voice comments in the Grade Overview
- Swipe with two fingers to move between papers
For more in-depth information about using Turnitin for iPad, check out the interactive tutorial using the “Try Tutorial” button inside the app.
Does Turnitin allow multiple markers at once?
No.
More than one marker for an essay? Be aware that synching from your iPad isn't 'synching' in the strict sense of the word because although Turnitin technically allows different markers, it hasn't designed the software for them. So rather than merging marks and comments, synching will overwrite any existing marks and comments. Marks will be saved from the last device marks were synched 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 synched and saved. This is because, as Turnitin only provides for a single marker at any one time.
How can I see an Originality Report?
To view matches from the OriginalityCheck in Turnitin for iPad:
- Tap on the OriginalityCheck button at the top right of the paper
- Slide the switch at the top of the source list to “On”
Matches to sources will then be highlighted within the paper. Tap on the numbered flag at the beginning of a match highlight to view the glimpse (view of the source text) for a match.
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.
How do my marks get from my iPad onto Moodle and Turnitin?
You need to Sync.
- Check to be certain that your iPad is online (try going to a new page in Safari)
- Open Turnitin for iPad
- Click the Sync button at the top right (arrow in a circle)
It's a good idea to sync as often as you can, as a safeguard against lo
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.
Turnitin says (http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701):
"We recommend using the passcode lock feature Apple offers on the iPad (found under the General settings in your iPad’s device settings). That will require a passcode to be entered to wake up your iPad whenever it goes to sleep and should keep anyone from being able to access any of your information (i.e. email or Turnitin for iPad papers).
Apple also offers the ability to remotely delete data from your iPad. An Apple support document regarding this can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701"
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. For instructions on logging out, see Turnitin's FAQs. When you log in again, link the assignment and run a Sync to resume marking where you left off.
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.
Consult the Health & Safety Executive's Assessment of Repetitive Tasks Tool which includes guidance on repetition and posture.
Take plenty of breaks and exercise.
How can I keep up to date with Turnitin developments?
You can follow Turnitin developments directly via:
- Twitter - @TurnitinProduct
- Turnitin System Status
Where can I get further help?
More help and FAQs are available on the Turnitin iPad page
Please note that UCL E-Learning Environments team cannot formally support this iPad app, so guidance from us will be on a best-efforts basis.
