Tools & Software

Tools and Software

On this page you will find information about common tools and technology used at the College. Knowing which tools we can use and when to use them appropriately is important. Using these tools correctly will help you maintain strong academic integrity.

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Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

Generative AI tools are becoming more common. You may already have used them for personal projects. But can you use them for your academic work? Sometimes! But it is your responsibility to educate yourself about any GenAI tools you use and understand the risks of using them.

GenAI is always evolving. The information on this site will evolve, too! If you notice out-of-date or missing information, please contact academicintegrity@conestogac.on.ca

When can I use GenAI?

If you are thinking about using generative AI, start by checking the assessment instructions. If the instructions don't clearly say that you can use generative AI, email your professor. They will tell you whether you can use these tools. If you are permitted to use generative AI tools, confirm how you can use the tool in your work.

If your faculty says no, or if they don't answer your question, stop: don't use generative AI tools. Using AI tools without your professor's written permission is a type of cheating called Use of Unauthorized Aids.

Next, you need to decide if it’s a good fit for your assessment. Generative AI is good at some things, but bad at other things. Conestoga College's Generative AI Flowchart is a great tool. It can help you decide whether a generative AI tool would be a good fit for the type of work that you're doing.

For more information about generative AI, visit the Library's Generative AI Guide.

Microsoft CoPilot

Conestoga provides access to a privacy-protected version of Copilot. Copilot is Microsoft's Gen AI tool, built on the GPT-4 model.  If you are allowed to use Generative AI for your coursework, this is the tool you should use.

Important: Sign in to Copilot with your Conestoga College account (email address). This will let you access Copilot's full features while maintaining privacy/data protection. 

Learn more about Copilot with Data Protection from IT Service

Originality Checkers

Tools like MOSS and Turnitin's Similarity Score/Report check your work for originality. This helps your faculty determine whether you independently completed your assessment outcomes. These tools do not say whether or not a student cheated! They just provide a score representing of how much of the assessment may not have been original work. It is up to your faculty to consider the score along with all other evidence to determine what happened.

You have the right, based on privacy and copyright law, to opt out of originality checkers and other detection tools. If you choose to opt out of a detection tool, notify your professor as far in advance as possible - ideally at the beginning of the term. They will provide alternate assessment instructions and expectations,.