Introduction to WeBWorK

WeBWorK FAQs

1. What is WeBWorK?

WeBWorK is an on-line interactive program that presents problems and checks answers.

It is more a grader than a tutor, although some problems provide hints. It will give you immediate feedback on your mastery of each topic. To be successful with WeBWorK you must have ready access to the internet.

2. Can I access WeBWorK from any personal computer?

Yes, provided the level of interactivity enables the exchanges of information necessary.

You can access WeBWorK from a MAC or a PC on campus, log off, and reconnect from, say, a home computer, log in, and pick up where you left off. WeBWorK keeps track of your correct answers, and shows them to you in the Problem List for each Set.

3. How do I log in?

From the internet, go to https://webwork.csun.edu. (or use any of the links to WeBWorK provided on the Math 102 web pages.)

Click on “Spengel”.

( For example, if your CSUN email address is john.r.someone74@csun.edu, then your username is john.r.someone74 . )

Type your password (your nine digit student ID number).

( If you have a seven digit ID number, such as 4321987, pad it with zeros in front: 004321987. )

4. How do I proceed after logging in?

Click on “Set00”; see a list of problems.

Click on “Problem 1”.

Complete problem 1 by typing your answers in the five boxes.

When you are satisfied with your answers click “Submit Answers”. The program

will grade the problem and show any errors.

If any part of the problem is wrong, you may revise your answer any number of times*.

Click on “Submit answers” to have WW check your answer, and give you credit for correct answers.

When you have completed the problem, click “Next” at the top; problem 2 will be shown.

Continue in this manner until you have completed all the problems. When you have

completed all the problems, click on “Prob. List” at the top. You will see a summary

of your scores on the quiz. (You may log out and log back in.)

At any time, you can return to the Problem List, and continue by clicking on any Problem number.

*Later in the semester, you will encounter problems where the number of attempts is limited, and these will be clearly marked as such. On such problems, you may wish to use the “Preview answers” key to see how WW interprets your input BEFORE you “Submit answers”.

Start subsequent sets by clicking on “Get Hard Copy”, on the problem list page to print the problems. You can work on them when time permits, and return to the computer when you are ready to enter the answers. The problems follow the textbook but are algorithmically generated, so that each student will have a unique set of problems. Each assignment (Set) will have a timed due date. After the due date, any work you do will not count for a grade. However, deadlines may be extended when class coverage is not yet complete.

5. What if I get an answer incorrect?

Most of the problems allow unlimited attempts. When the problem states a limit, you might want to use the “Preview” key to see how WeBWorK views your answer.

6. Must I work the problems in order?

You can do the problems in any order. You can select any Problem from the problem list to work on. You can return to previously viewed problems. See also answer regarding revisions below.

7. Are the deadlines absolute?

The deadlines for completion of a given Set may be extended by reasonable request. Last-minute requests may be seen too late.

8. Can I revise a correct answer?

Yes, and the system will inform you whether the new answer is correct or not. But your score on the problem will not change after it is correct. Thus you may try additional forms of the answers without jeopardizing your score.

9. Where can I get help?

Read the advice shown on the right side of the Problem list page for each Set; sometimes this contains links to examples, advice, and caveats. When working in the WeBWorK system, if you have no idea how to approach a given problem, check your text. Most of the problems are closely aligned with the sections we are working on each week, and the problem list page for each Set informs you of the text sections the Set covers. The book contains worked-out examples and advice.

If you need extensive help, consider the following resources:

At the Math Lab in the LRC—

Learning Resource Center (BH 417) - tutorial by appointment - link on the 102 Notices page

Developmental Math Tutorial Lab (BH 400) - drop-in tutorial

Math Tutorial Lab in SH274. (hours will be listed on the 102 Notices page)

Science/Math/EOP advisement center (EH2126) - tutorial by appointment

Consider forming a study group with classmates, or students from other sections of Math 102.

TEXT-RELATED:

CD (packaged with text)

Student Study Guide (packaged with text)

On-line tutorial using access code you purchased with your text –

available at CourseCompass (use COURSE ID: spengel60653)

Sometimes a small hint or advice regarding the format of the answer will resolve the difficulty; in those cases, the email facility provided by WeBWorK makes it easy to email a request for help to your professor, and will include automatically the page you are on, including any answer you have typed. Access this facility via the “Feedback” key at the lower right of the page. (Responses will be sent to your CSUN email account, so make sure you have set up a correct forwarding instruction; some students set up incorrect forwarding email addresses, so the forwarding fails.)

10. What if I have trouble typing the answers in WeBWorK?

Use the Preview key to see how WeBWorK interprets your input.

See hints provided on the right side of the Problem List page.

Pay attention to specific instructions, such as when you must input two values, A and B, and WeBWorK is requiring A<B. If WeBWorK says the answer is Ax + B, and asks you for A and B, and your answer is 7x – 3, then A is 7 (not 7x) and B is –3 (not 3).

FINALLY, let WW do the arithmetic for you! Don’t compute 3(5-2)^3 + 72. Just enter that expression, and let WW compute!