Turnitin Updates: AI Detection and More

This fall, Turnitin has rolled out updates to its interface and features:

• Turnitin AI Detection is re-enabled and available through the Turnitin Assignment tool. Remember that AI detection should start conversations about responsible use, as results can include false positives.
  
• Turnitin Draft Coach (in Google Docs) helps students improve writing with grammar, citation, and similarity feedback visible only to them. You must request access in order for you or students to use Draft Coach.
  
• Turnitin’s Updated Interface streamlines how you add Turnitin and PeerMark Assignments to Moodle. Instructors are encouraged to use the Turnitin Assignment tool instead of the plugin that works with Moodle Assignments or Forums for the full range of features, in particular AI Detection.
  
• PeerMark improvements make peer review easier to set up and access within a Turnitin Assignment. NOTE: PeerMark grades do not transfer to the Moodle Gradebook and we use the LTI version, classic view.

Teaching Use Cases →

1. Using AI Detection for Draft Discussions
You assign a Turnitin paper and enable AI detection. One student’s report shows potential AI use. Instead of penalizing immediately, you invite the student to a short meeting where you review the report together, discuss responsible AI use in academic writing, and clarify expectations for original work. This approach turns detection into a teaching moment.

2. Supporting Student Writing with Draft Coach
Your students are working on research papers in Google Docs. You request access to Turnitin Draft Coach for the class. Students run their drafts through Draft Coach to check grammar, citations, and similarity before submitting to Moodle. This helps them self-correct issues early and reduces repeated mistakes in final submissions.

3. Peer Review with Updated PeerMark
You create a Turnitin Assignment with PeerMark enabled. Students submit their first drafts and then complete guided peer reviews through PeerMark. With the updated interface, setup is smoother, and students receive structured feedback from multiple classmates which can help them revise more effectively before final submission. Checkout additional Digital Peer Review Tools on our Teaching Resources page. 

Explore step-by-step guides, screenshots, and resources in our Turnitin: Writing Feedback, Plagiarism Checks, and Peer Review Teaching Resources article.