Wonders of WeBWork
Prof. McNicholas, Willamette University, Mathematics
Prof. McNicholas, Willamette University, Mathematics
WeBWorK is an online homework distribution and grading system. The best feature of WeBWorK is that when you enter an answer to a homework problem, the system immediately tells you whether the answer is correct. You can try a problem as many times as you like. Once you get the answer right, that fact is immediately recorded (provided it is before the due date), and any wrong answers are not counted in your grade.
Get started early on WeBWorK, and enter some answers at least a couple days before the due date. That way you will have time to seek help on the harder problems (and the ones that looked easy at first but turned out to be tricky) before the set is due. Avoid the last-minute rush. The system often becomes overloaded and slow in the last couple hours before a set is due, since everyone is trying to enter their answers at the same time.
Let WeBWorK do the work for you! On most problems, you can enter answers like cos(9.81sqrt(340)) instead of a messy decimal, and WeBWorK will do the calculation for you. WeBWorK usually requires very precise answers. For instance, if the correct answer is 1.60045 and you enter 1.6, the system will say that’s incorrect. If you are entering a decimal answer, give at least five digits of accuracy.
Some WeBWorK problems require formulaic answers, like x ∧ (2/3), which means x raised to the power of 2/3 (two-thirds). However, if you enter x ∧ 2/3, the system will say that’s wrong, since WeBWorK interprets that as one third of x^2 . So be careful and check your syntax. (WeBWorK Set 0, which is recommended and counts as extra credit, will help you learn about entering formulaic answers.)
WeBWorK has a previewing feature which allows you to see how a complicated formula you just entered is actually interpreted by WeBWorK. The previewer will help you track down syntax errors and ensure that your answer is being interpreted the way you want without having to add three hundred parentheses.
Last, and MOST IMPORTANT, do not spend large amounts of time guessing random answers and entering them into WeBWork. This is a waste of your time! If you don’t know how to do a problem, consult the WISE chatroom or class Discord site to get help from your peers, me, or the class tutor. If you think you are doing everything correctly and WeBWork doesn’t accept your answer, please come to my office hours or email me with an explanation of what you have done, so I can help. Banging your head against the computer, yelling at it, or throwing the computer out the window does not change whether or not WeBWork accepts your solution.
“DON’T LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO HATES WEBWORK. Seriously, I love WeBWorK (despite its horrible capitalization). There is nothing better than knowing you got a 100% on your homework assignment. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve longed for a WeBWorK-style system in other classes. WeBWorK ensures high homework grades and high material understanding. I would not have done nearly as well in the class without WeBWorK, I guarantee you. WeBWorK catches your misconceptions so they do not perpetuate. And unlike getting written homework corrections, there’s a tangible benefit to retrying a problem until you get it right (namely a higher homework grade).”
“Look at it right after class; you don’t have to complete it then, but get the ideas and questions into your head so you can complete them. Or at least give yourself many hours to complete the assignment.”
“Every time I have a math class that has non-webwork homework, I can’t help but feel annoyed. I know webwork is a hassle when things don’t work correctly, but being able to get that immediate feedback on whether we’re doing things right or not is SO helpful for me. Also helping other students/getting help with webwork online in the chat room [or discord] was very helpful and enjoyable. I would tell students to help each other!”
“Find friends in class and do your homework together. It will make the time more fun and more easy, and you will appreciate the long time you will spend on the assignments much more.”
“Guessing can be extremely tempting sometimes, but really try to do them first because they help you understand the concepts. Also get a study group for WeBWorK and exams! Working together is multitude better!”