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Understand how Canvas can tell if you're using ChatGPT or another AI for assignments
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If you're using Canvas, you're most likely a student. Canvas is designed to uphold academic integrity through monitoring mouse clicks, keystrokes, word usage, and more. If you submit an assignment created with ChatGPT, it's very likely that Canvas will flag it. However, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting through undetected. Keep in mind that there are third-party tools that teachers can use in conjunction with Canvas to detect AI influence. This wikiHow will explain how Canvas detects ChatGPT and what you can do to avoid being flagged.

Things You Should Know

  • Canvas can detect AI usage to an extent. Teachers can use third-party tools to completely detect ChatGPT.
  • To avoid detection, avoid copying and pasting direct phrases from ChatGPT.
  • Use ChatGPT as a starting point for your assignments. Take the ideas you need and expand them in your own words.
Section 1 of 2:

Can Canvas detect AI or ChatGPT?

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  1. Yes—Canvas can detect AI influence, to an extent. If you're submitting work through Canvas, such as an essay, it's very likely it will be flagged if you copy and paste directly from ChatGPT. As AI technology is quickly rising in popularity, there will be countermeasures from academic institutions to ensure integrity in your work.[1]
    • Canvas records all activities during important exams. All mouse clicks, keystrokes, and even the time spent on certain questions is all recorded for your teacher to see. If this activity differs from your "normal" behavior, you may be flagged.
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Section 2 of 2:

Avoiding Detection

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  1. ChatGPT's speech pattern can be identified fairly easily. If ChatGPT's response sounds vastly different from your own voice, your teacher will know. You can use a thesaurus to change the words, and you can shift the sentence structure to match your own voice more closely.[2]
  2. If you need a little help on your assignments, ChatGPT can help you get an idea of how to start. However, try not to follow ChatGPT too closely, especially if the topic is complex. Take the ideas you need, and expand on them in your own words.[3]
    EXPERT TIP
    Tyrone Showers

    Tyrone Showers

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    Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.
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    Tyrone Showers
    Technologist

    Pay close attention to the content ChatGPT generates. If you use ChatGPT often, you'll start noticing its patterns, like its tendency to begin articles with phrases like "in today's digital world." Once you spot patterns, you can refine your prompts to steer ChatGPT in a better direction and avoid repetitive content.

  3. If your assignment involves using ChatGPT and it's approved by your teacher, you'll still need to properly cite your sources.[4] Otherwise, this is still considered plagiarism and can land you in trouble with your school.
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 67,022 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 28, 2024
Views: 67,022
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