AIM WeBWorK workshop (August 2007)

Welcome to the AIM WeBWorK workshop course.

This is a record of the work done at the AIM WeBWorK conference held on August 6-10, 2007. The work done here is currently being integrated into the standard WeBWorK documentation and code.

We have constructed WeBWorK courses for AIM workshop participants. At AIM we used the URL http://aimwebwork-int.openwebwork.org/webwork2. The courses have now been moved to a more permanent location at http://hosted2.webwork.rochester.edu/webwork2.

Your course name begins with your last name and ends with _course (e.g gage_course). You should log in to your WeBWorK course and change your password. Guests are allowed in these courses so that you can share your work with others in the workshop.

If you would like to practice the managing of a WeBWorK course you can read through this tutorial (PDF). The tutorial is also linked to from the home page of your course.

If there are any problems or questions email Mike Gage, gage at math.rochester.edu.

Some tools. Wikis, forums, databases -- these are all provided by the Moodle course management system. Anyone who is knowledgeable about these tools and has tips for us on how to use them effectively should feel free to speak up. We need all the help we can get!

MathObjects: One of the principal tasks is to document how to use these to rewrite webwork homework questions in simpler formats

Training new PG authors: During this workshop we want to create an easy path for instructors to learn how to author WeBWorK questions. This should include tutorials, model problems, macro documentation, how-to tips, etc.

Applet objects: Creating and documenting macros and writing tutorials for authoring math questions that involve applets in some way (java, javaScript or Flash applets)

Calculus questions, single variable calculus and vector/multivariable calculus -- in particular writing "good question" types of calculus problems which go beyond simple calculations. (Expeditious ways to code calculation questions also welome. )

Linear Algebra questions: Documentation and tutorials on macros which simplfy the creation of questions for linear algebra.

Simplifying language syntax: How to bring the older language constructs into sync with MathObjects and so that they interact well with MathObjects. This will include improvements in how Graph objects are constructed and inserted, modifications to SelectList objects which generate matching questions, true false questions and listings of short answer questions.

Language documentation:

1. POD documentation in the code,
2. Examples of best practices in coding problems,
3. Fast lookup for macros.

Pre-calculus questions: These pose special challenges because one is often interested in the form of the formula as well as its behavior as a function. This requires different types of macros.

Progressive or sequential problem types: Problems in which later questions are revealed or are changed depending on answers to earlier questions. The object currently called "MultiPart" is one possible solution for this frequently asked for feature. Perhaps we can think of a better name?

Simplifying input: Creating front ends that allow simplified entry of common question types.

What should/can be done to curate the various collections of WeBWorK questions. How should we make appropriate problems readily available to instructors?

Checking homework for CS courses: (programming fragments)

New question types: Essay questions, pre-flight or warm up questions (short questions asked before a lecture -- answers are polled and guide lecturer - questions get the audience to think about the topic ahead of time.)

Assessing the effectiveness of WeBWorK courses (and individual WeBWorK questions)

Administering large sites This is admittedly a bit off the central topic -- but I'd like to encourage those with experience to use this section to post command line scripts that they have found useful.