Learning How to Author Problems

Learning how to Author WeBWorK problems

• See Problem Authoring Background Information and sample problems If you're just starting out.
• See subject area templates if you're looking for complete examples from very basic to advanced.
• See index of problem techniques section if you need help with one particular construct.
• See PGML (Template 4) to learn techniques which simplify formatting the appearance of the questions.
• See MathObjects for more information on authoring problems using MathObjects.
• See PG/PGML labs to try out code fragments on line -- including code fragments containing MathObjects. This is a quick way to learn the fine points of the MathObject syntax.
• Intro to Problem Authoring Introduction to the basics of Perl, MathObjects, and PGML (Nov 2020) -- includes problem templates
• Problem Authoring Tutorial aimed at people who already know TeX, but need to learn about Perl, PG, and MathObjects. (Older -- 2010).

Sample Problems

• Index of Sample Problems
  • Template 1 (the basic structure of a WeBWorK PG problem file)
  • SampleProblem1a (old-style, non-MathObjects example)
  • Template 2 (formulas, multiple choice, and string entry problems)
  • Template 3 (dynamically generated graphs)
  • NEW --Template 4 (illustrates PGML markup)

Reference Documents

• Index of Problem Techniques ** very useful code fragments for embedding and creating graphics, tables, creating multiple choice and sequential problems, embedding JavaScript, Geogebra and Sage, and many, many other things.
• Subject Area Templates ** complete examples for questions on various math subjects
• POD -- POD = "plain old documentation" -- original documentation embedded in the code files -- this is the place to find the most complete and most technical description of macro behaviors.
• PG/PGML labs, On-line labs for rendering of PG and PGML code. These labs enable you to experiment interactively online with PG syntax.
• The Good Questions project at Cornell University

Background information

(older reference material )

• Basic Perl syntax — PG is based on Perl, so it is important to know some basic Perl syntax.
  • How BEGIN_TEXT...END_TEXT blocks work
• Problem Authoring Best Practices for problem authoring.
  • What to do if you find a bug in a problem
  • Tagging Problems with metadata for indexing and searching.