Web-based Homeworks

Web-based homework problems are much like the usual ones: you need to give answers to a series of short questions, some of them multiple-choice, others not. The only difference is that instead of doing it on paper, you are doing it over the Internet. You can access the WebAssign homework system from any computer which has an Internet connection, whether from home, from an on-campus computer, or say from an Internet cafe in Katmandu. No special software is required: all you need is a relatively recent web browser. If you need to install additional plug-ins or change settings, the homework website will guide you through the process. Also, you can do the web-based homework whenever you want (of course, before the deadline). You can look at the problems, or even print some of them, then go home, think them over, and come back later with your answer. In fact, this is probably the best way of doing the web-based homework for most people.

Please note that each problem has many variants, and different students are given different variants. So do not try to compare your answers to that of your classmates.

The web-based assignments are set up so you can you can work on the assignment for a while, then leave and come back later. If you are working on an assignment and want to stop for a while, click on the Save Work button; do NOT just close your browser, or your work may be lost if you don't return to the page soon.

The system may log you off after a period of inactivity. Save your work often and don't leave your computer for long periods of time while logged in.

WebAssign will not submit your answers for grading automatically. You have to Submit them yourself.

If your answer is wrong, you get to try the question again (with a credit penalty). You have 5 tries; after the fifth incorrect answer, the problem will be permanently marked "incorrect".

For any questions regarding web-based assignments please contact your instructor.

Registration and logging in

Before you can use the web-based homework web site, you will need to register for the system and choose your user name and password (this is separate from registering for the course!). You will also need to submit a personal access code within 14 days from the start of the course. Please follow the instructions below.

If you don't have a computer, you can use the ones on campus, or most public computers such as those in libraries. This system may not work well with customized versions of Internet Explorer, such as the browser for AOL. Many people have had good success using the free Firefox browser. I use Firefox when setting up the assignments, and haven't had any problems.

Setting up an account for the web-based homeworks

Regardless of whether you have an account with WebAssign, here's what to do:

1. Go to the WebAssign site and enter your class key (on the main site, click on "Have a class key?" in the login panel). You class key is:
For section R01 (Tuesday): sunysb 0155 2143
For section R02 (Thursday): sunysb 7647 8315


2. Follow the registration screens and enter your information as prompted. You will enter your name, email address, etc.
3. After you see a confirmation screen, you're ready to log in for the first time.

Logging in

Go to the WebAssign site and enter your username, institution (sunysb), and password. Then select your course.

You will have 14 days from the start of the class to enter your access code (either from your textbook or separately purchased). This can be done right after your login into the system.
If you do not enter the access code within 14 days, you will not be able to access the assignments.

Doing the web-based homeworks

WebAssign has a variety of different question types, ranging from multiple choice to fill-in-the-blank to symbolic questions. Here are some things to keep in mind as you work through your assignments:

• Some questions require entering symbolic notation. You can answer symbolic questions by using calculator notation or by using the pad (calcpad) that appears on the left when you click the answer box. Here are the lists of both calculator notations and calcpad buttons.
• You must use the exact variables specified in the questions. The order is not important as long as it is mathematically correct. Clicking on the eye button previews the expression you enter in proper mathematical notation. Clicking on the symbolic formatting help button provides tips for using the correct keystrokes.
• You can save your work without grading by selecting the Save Work button at the end of the question. After you save your work, it will be available to you the next time you click the assignment.
• Please note that WebAssign will not automatically submit your answers for scoring if you only Save your work. Please be sure to Submit prior to the due date and time.
• You can submit answers by question part or for the entire assignment. To submit an individual question answer for grading, click the Submit New Answers to Question button at the bottom of each question. To submit the entire assignment for grading, click the Submit All New Answers button at the end of the assignment.
• Some WebAssign questions check the number of significant figures in your answer. If you enter the correct value with the wrong number of significant figures, you will not receive credit, but you will receive a hint that your number does not have the correct number of significant figures.
• While different students may get slightly different versions of the assignment, your questions will be the same every time you return. This means you can print out the assignment, work the problems, and then come back later and put in your answers. Since you get multiple attempts to get the question correct, be sure to leave yourself enough time to rework the problems that you did wrong.
• Each question is (typically) worth one point. If a question has multiple answers, each of those are worth a fraction of a point.
• If you put in a wrong answer for a question and ask to have it graded, you will be told it is wrong and be ably to try again. However, if you put in the correct answer on the second try, you get half credit. On the third try, you get 1/3 credit, and so on. You get five tries for each question.
• A comprehensive guide to WebAssign is available online.
• If you have issues with the assignment, email your instructor.