WeBWorK - Math Homework on the Web

Michael E. Gage

Department of Mathematics
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627
USA
Phone: (716) 275-9424
gage@math.rochester.edu

Arnold K. Pizer

Department of Mathematics
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627
USA
Phone: (716) 275-7767
apizer@math.rochester.edu

Click to access this paper: paper.html

ABSTRACT

WeBWorK is an internet-based system for generating and delivering homework problems to students. It increases the effectiveness of traditional homework asa learning tool by:

Providing students with immediate feedback on the validity of their answers and giving students the opportunity to correct mistakes while they are still thinking about the problem. As one student said, 'I can fix my mistakes while [the] problem is fresh in my mind.'
Providing students with individualized versions of problems which means that instructors can encourage students to work together; yet each student must develop an answer to his or her own version of the problem.

These are important educational advantages, and WeBWorK is a tool designed to conveniently deliver these advantages to large numbers of students. It is currently be used by more than 1200 students at the University of Rochester and at Indiana University. Readers can try WeBWorK for themselves by connecting to actual courses at http://www.math.rochester.edu/webwork.

Keyword(s): Internet, WeBWorK