TEU Update 6 November 2025
Understanding text-matching
Text matching via Turnitin Similarity shows where students’ submitted work to Loop is similar to other works on the web or in the Turnitin Similarity archive. The Turnitin Similarity report colour codes the levels of similarity according to a traffic light system. The coloured percentage cannot be solely relied upon to determine the presence or otherwise of plagiarism; the percentage score is relative, and there is no ‘acceptable’ score. Where a student uses another's work and correctly quotes, paraphrases, cites and references such work - that is fine. Turnitin Similarity will generate a match for that in its Similarity Report, but because it has been adequately referenced so, nothing improper has occurred.
Text-matching is useful for students to understand the similarities between their work and others, and if it needs to be refined, and is also useful for lecturers to see if students have upheld good standards of academic integrity. It is not in and of itself a definitive indicator of plagiarism or non-plagiarism.
Learn more about the nuances between text-matching and plagiarism in this resource from the Loop Staff Support Page, and also explore the features of the Turnitin Similarity report. You may also wish to direct students to this resource to learn more about how they can use Turnitin Similarity.
Loop Notetaker role
Students in your module may be registered with the Disability and Learning Support Service and may have a notetaker to support them in their studies. As Loop is a central tool for learning, it may be beneficial to give this notetaker access to your Loop module page so that they can better support the student. This notetaker role allows them to see and interact with the material on your page like any other student, but they do not appear in student lists or in the Gradebook. Instructions are available on the Loop Staff Support Page.
Loop Reflect Drop-in Clinic
The next Loop Reflect online drop-in clinic of the semester will take place as follows:
Thursday 13 November, 3pm - 4pm, Join via Zoom
The drop-in clinic is an informal, unstructured space where any student or staff member who has a question about Loop Reflect can come and get guidance. Please circulate the details of this clinic to your students if they are using Loop Reflect this semester.
Did you know that Vevox has a great data analysis feature to help you gauge student progress across your sessions? The data feature in Vevox provides you with immediate insights into student comprehension and engagement levels. Results from Vevox polls can highlight specific areas where your students may be struggling. The detailed data reports provide you with great visualisations of your poll results and the data is downloadable to Excel, making it straightforward to identify trends that can inform your instructional planning across the semester.
Learn more about Vevox in the Loop Staff Support Page.
A reminder that our next Sipping Point session takes place on Monday, November 10th at 12pm: “Teaching with Presence: Curiosity, Care, and the Courage to Slow Down.” We’ll be joined by Ian Cook (SALIS) and Ruth McManus (History & Geography) as they share their experiences of teaching with attentiveness and care.
Find out more about this session
There’s still time to share your practice and inspire others in an upcoming Sipping Point! The Call for Contributions deadline has been extended to November 28th. Submit your idea for a short talk/presentation and we will be in touch.
If you wish to research your teaching practice with a view to a potential conference, book and/or journal publication in the near future, then you might like to join us for one or both of these upcoming introductory workshops. Click the following links to find out more and register for sessions of interest.
Workshop 2: Locating a suitable research project from your teaching practice
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St Pats - Tues Dec 2, 2-4 pm (in-person)
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Glasnevin - Weds Dec 3, 10-12 pm (in-person)
Please register for whichever Workshop 2 session suits you best.
Workshop 3: Writing educational research for publication
Wed Dec 10, 2-3 pm (online) Please register for Workshop 3 and if you missed earlier sessions, we can point you to previous resources.
The Digital Badge on GenAI for Teaching and Learning will commence November 10 (Week 10). The Course is divided into two parts:
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Part 1 from Nov 10th to Dec 5th (Week 10 to Week 13 in Semester 1)
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Part 2 from Jan 12th to Jan 30th (Week 1 to Week 3 in Semester 2).
The total time commitment is approximately 25 hours. Please click here to read more details about the Course Schedule.
If you are interested in participating in this digital badge course, please click here to fill out a 'Confirmation of Intent to Participate' form.
Please contact samantha.xu@dcu.ie if you have any questions.
Access recording and slides on the ILTA site here.
As part of National Academic Integrity Week last month, DCU hosted an event in conjunction with the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA), “Designing for integrity with integrity”, led by guest speaker Professor Rajiv Jhangiani, Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning at Brock University.
A panel of DCU colleagues - Samantha Xu, Academic Integrity Officer, Dr James Brunton, School of Psychology, Dr David Gibson, School of Human Development - as well as the chair of the National Academic Integrity Network (NAIN) Dr Mary Claire Kennedy, responded to Prof. Jhangiani.
Submit a request at DCU Help for Loop queries
More complex query or prefer to chat? Join a Loop drop in clinic
Find comprehensive resources on our Loop Staff Support Page - enrolment key is 'staff'
For advice on teaching practice, including on the use of technology, email teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie
request a workshop or extended consultation
Stay in the loop Professional and technical staff - Join Group to stay informed on TEU activities, including Loop communications and professional development opportunities.
