MATH 150 Calculus I

Introduction to WeBWorK for Students

(Have this guide with you when you log into WeBWorK)

What is WeBWorK?  WeBWorK is a software package developed at the University of Rochester which delivers individually customized homework assignments via the Worldwide Web. You can connect at any time to the Mathematics Department’s WeBWorK server from any computer with a reasonably up-to-date web browser. You will be assigned your own version of each problem in that homework assignment. After solving each problem you can submit your answers over the web and WeBWorK immediately tell you whether or not your answer is correct. In out class, you have up to five attempts at submitting the correct answer without penalty (before the due date of the assignment and except for multiple choice or true/false questions).

How do I log into WeBWorK?  From any computer with a network connection, start up your favorite web browser, such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, then

1.       Go to the Class website http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/Faculty/Don.Short/  and click on Math 150.

2.       Click on the WeBWorK link.

3.       Your WeBWorK login name is your Last name, e.g., Potter

4.       Your password is your Red ID#, e.g. 123456789

How is WeBWorK different from regular homework?  The types of problems you will encounter in a typical WeBWorK assignment are very similar to the kinds of problems you will find in the textbook. The problem set page will say what week the problems cover.  However unlike written assignments (which take a long time to grade if they get graded at all), WeBWorK will give you immediate feedback as to whether you are doing the problems correctly. So you have plenty of time to seek help. 

Suggestion: When you first log in, print out a copy of the entire homework assignment; solve the problems with paper and pencil as you would do ordinarily, and when you’re ready, input the answers in the computer.  It will check the answers for you and tell you if you are right or wrong, and it will give you a four additional chances to correct your answer, even if you log into the system at a later, but before the due date.  You will save a lot of time if you use the WeBWorK  Preview Button before submitting your answers.  This option will show you how WeBWorK in interpreting your answer.

Do I still have to attend lectures and read the text? Yes! WeBWorK is NOT a distance learning system. It does not teach, explain, or give you hints. It cannot analyze your errors whether they are trivial or fundamental; it is simply a homework checker. 

How should I go about doing WeBWorK assignments? 

• Attend the lectures and read the relevant sections of the text.
• Log on to WeBWorK and print a hard copy of the assignment.
• Work out solutions to the problems on paper, starting with the easiest problems first.
• Log back into WeBWorK and submit your answers.
• If WeBWorK tells you your answer is wrong, take the following steps in roughly the following order:
  1. Check for input errors, use the Preview Button to check that you and the computer are in agreement (as to the input, not whether your answer is right or wrong; the Submit Button will tell you the latter.)
  2. Carefully go over your written solution looking for mistakes; talk the problem over with a fellow student.
  3. Try doing some of the odd numbered exercises in the text that have the answers in the back of our text.
  4. Go to the Mathematics Learning Center and ask a tutor for help.
  5. Go to the professor office during office hours.
• At each step, if you think you've found your mistake, go back to WeBWorK and try inputting your answer again. [NOTE: For this to work well, you need to start working on your assignments as soon as you can. Do NOT put off working on your assignment till the night before it is due - this will lead to a lot of stress and frustration.]

I am sure that I have the correct answer, but WeBWorK will not accept it. What should I do?  You may be using the wrong syntax and WeBWorK is misunderstanding what you are trying to write. Again, use the Preview Button to see how WeBWorK is interpreting your answer. If you still can't figure out what is going wrong, print the contents of the Preview window, as well as the window where WeBWorK tells you your answer is wrong, and bring the hard copy to your instructor/professor.

NOTE: Many students who think WeBWorK is refusing a correct answer are actually making algebra mistakes, sometimes minor, sometimes serious. Please check your algebra and syntax before submitting your answer.

Revised 12/09/04
By Don Short, dshort@sciences.sdsu.edu