Developing Information Literacy through TurnitinUK Plagiarism Detection Software

1. Developing Information Literacy through TurnitinUK Plagiarism Detection Software Deborah Trayhurn Learning and Teaching Support

2. Workshop content Discuss Northumbria and Programme strategies using TurnitinUK Highlight ways the TurnitinUK software has been used to develop academic practice and improve information literacy. Examine Programme responsibilities and share best practices Consider outcomes for Programme / subject, plan responses Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

3. Northumbria Context • Holistic and Preventative approach • Integrated involvement with Library and Student Services staff, active engagement in programmes • Recognition of Programme, Subject and School responsibilities • Undertaking policy coverage across programmes – UG, PG, PGR regardless programme length • Developing practice with collaborative partners • Use of TurnitinUK as part of the preventative toolkit Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

4. Context Academic Misconduct ARNA, GGAP (new edition) • University expresses regulations through ARNA • Processes and procedures • Guidelines for Good Assessment Practice : • Principle of students’ responsibility to demonstrate to staff that the work they submit for assessment is their own • More important issue is to prevent academic misconduct where we can Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

5. Preventative principles • Assessment strategies use approaches for designing out academic misconduct, review progress in this annually • Seek increased student involvement in assessment process • We build a learning climate to foster integrity • We apply coherentpolicies consistently Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

6. Assessment strategy uses approaches for designing out academic misconduct – such as • Updating methods and questions set for coursework on each delivery • integrative questions requiring comparing, contrasting, synthesis and application in authentic assessment • customised data sets or random allocation of tasks to students • annotated bibliography to demonstrate use of materials and skills in critique reducing numbers of essays or reports Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

7. Designing out cntd • Reflective logs or critique of process • Staging posts so assessment flows from early approach and feedback to final summative submission • Clear communication about links between assessment and learning • Clear scheduling of tasks with module topics • Assessment schedule indicating feedback points Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

8. Learning climate for integrity • Includes • electronic submission of work • process where there is • regular discussion of work in progress • working papers included in assignment hand-in • practice using variety methods such as presentations • use of vivas as mandatory elements for large pieces of work • use of technical support to review papers such as proof-reading • PDS – TurnitinUK • used from outset of studies, planned with development information literacy through all programmes Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

9. Academic Misconduct : technical support for use • TurnitinUK compares submitted work to its database - produces an Originality Report showing any matching text and the source from which this is drawn • PGR TurnitinUK • own account set up with Supervisor /School, use formative approach, formative B method • account set up with Supervisor /School, Summative for Mid-point progression and final thesis stages, summative C method • Taught progs, modules set up for programme use all levels Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

10. Consistent practices - Programme responsibilities • ensure students have • assessments meeting strategy scheduled with enough time / opportunity to carry out the tasks • understanding of importance and integration of the task set • opportunity to develop skills and confidence • chance to discuss the materials and assessments set • understanding of expectations of UK and NU practices for the academic world • opportunity to link with Student Services specialist staff • Learning climate which fosters integrity Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

11. Possible Model School policy • Programme team determines approaches with Library specialist staff to develop Information Literacy ‘IL’ programme which includes formative use of TurnitinUK • Modules are determined to act as focal points for demonstration of IL development • Where collaborative partners are involved – determine model of practice to ensure consistency Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

12. ‘Level’ approach using eLP • Level 4 supported by information specialist staff • Early practices Sem 1 various skills including writing precis & use of Endnote • using the TurnitinUK system practical demo through eLP • interpreting the Originality Reports from Tii • gaining confidence in developing repeat use of Tii • Developing skills Sem 2 • using Tii in another, different module context • using Tii in summative mode Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

13. Model contd • Level 5 supported by Info specialist staff • Formative use of Tii across modules, Formative and summative use of Tii in larger piece of assessment • Level 6 • Mandatory use of Tii for dissertations, project and other larger pieces of work Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

14. PG and PGR • PG model follow principles of formative practices and support to develop skills in conjunction with IL • reading Originality reports and developing writing • mandatory use for dissertations • PGR students model of practice includes formal submission of mid-point progression and final thesis as formal requirement Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

15. Collaborative partners • Consistency is important, sites should mirror practices at NU • Two types CV links • Franchise – Where programmes • run in tandem • run past practice • Validated • TurnitinUK available to all partners under NU license. Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

16. Detailed policy at module level • Determine • Operational lead on setting up module /assignmt • Materials used to support students … • Engagement expected with CV partners • Details of use of Tii with the assignment • Formative, dates specified • Reading of Originality Report (OR) • OR activity integrated into teaching – generic comment in class activities recommended with support for individual students Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

17. Originality Reports ‘OR’ • What it tells us • Textual matches only • “Simply a tool to help find sources that contain similar text” • Limitations • Includes citations, quoted text and bibliography entries • Possible actions • Careful examination of both submitted paper and matching sources liaising with other HEIs worldwide • Proceed within University guidelines, see Appendix for Regs Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

18. Viewing OR Available from an assignment inbox Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

19. Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

20. Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

21. Example uses • Students have a lecture on plagiarism and using TurnitinUK delivered by library specialist developing understandingof the importance of good academic writing and how seriously plagiarism is viewed. • They are directed to the area in the module and as a practice they can submit 2 documents to practice using Tii, also they can see whether they require help with their writing. Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

22. eLP site example • The link to the TurnitinUK submission area and text explaining the process • Tii PDF handout for students created by the library • Link to slides from the presentation • Instructions about enrolling on Skills plus and how to access the plagiarism and Tii tutorials • Link to referencing materials supplied by the library, Cite them right etc. • Details of Help and support from the Library and also Study advice service Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

23. Resources • MARCET eLP/TurnitinUK user notes: – • TurnitinUK Methods Overview;TurnitinUK Assignment Screen Settings; Formative use B for learning ;Summative use C for checking • eLP site • EndnoteX for Research Students available from Marcet • ALSO Jisc Pas ‘Being an information literate researcher: tips for avoiding plagiarism’ Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

24. Activity • Consider how far you might develop use for your area • Indicate any further assistance that could be provided • Share and compare your views to those from another context, perhaps one you work alongside. • Review any other views about developing Information Literacy using Tii overall in whole group. Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008

25. contacts • For further discussion or assistance please contact • Deborah Trayhurn Academic Adviser 0191 243 7254 Deborah.trayhurn@unn.ac.uk • Margaret Home Marcet 0191 227 4186 margaret.home@unn.ac.uk Subject and Programme Leaders Northumbria Conference May 2008