Unplag Updates Interface, Adds Commenting for Canvas Users

Unplag has updated its cloud-based plagiarism detector with a new user interface and the ability for instructors using Canvas to leave comments on student assignments.

"After each student assignment is checked with Unplag, an educator receives a report with a percentage of citations and references found and a list of sources used by students," according to a news release. "This way educators can evaluate the quality of the research carried out by students in a matter of minutes. When citations and references are omitted from the report, a similarity and originality percentage is immediately updated. Thanks to the exclusion option, educators can figure out what is a student contribution amount. For educators to be able to navigate reports with ease, Unplag highlights citations in blue, references in purple and similarities in yellow."

With the new commenting feature, teachers will be able to add feedback anywhere in the text or edit or remove it. Students will have a read-only mode and will receive notifications when new comments are added. In addition, Canvas users can now use Unplag in speedgrader mode.

"We keep on asking educators using Unplag about the features they might need to simplify their interaction with students", said Anastasia Parokha, CEO at Unplag, in a prepared statement. "Once we get this valuable feedback, our team of developers starts working on the Unplag functionality enhancement. Thus, a commenting feature has been released. It allows teachers and professors share their advice with students or explain why particular parts of their assignments need improving."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • hooded figure types on a laptop, with abstract manifesto-like posters taped to the wall behind them

    Hacktivism Is a Growing Threat to Higher Education

    In recent years, colleges and universities have faced an evolving array of cybersecurity challenges. But one threat is showing signs of becoming both more frequent and more politically charged: hacktivism.

  • Hand holding a stylus over a tablet with futuristic risk management icons

    Why Universities Are Ransomware's Easy Target: Lessons from the 23% Surge

    Academic environments face heightened risk because their collaboration-driven environments are inherently open, making them more susceptible to attack, while the high-value research data they hold makes them an especially attractive target. The question is not if this data will be targeted, but whether universities can defend it swiftly enough against increasingly AI-powered threats.

  • digital book with circuit patterns

    Turnitin and ACUE Partner on AI Training for Educators

    Turnitin is teaming up with the Association of College and University Educators to create a series of courses on AI and academic integrity designed to help faculty navigate the responsible use of AI in learning and assessment.

  • student with headphones engaged in virtual learning

    Virtual Learning that Works: 4 Ways to Build Real Engagement

    As colleges and universities expand online offerings, the goal now is clear: Build environments where students actively participate, not passively attend.