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WebAssign Winter 2008 Newsletter
In this issue:
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January 23, 2008
Vol. 5, Issue 1
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New Features
We hope you find the following new features helpful. As always, let us know if you have any ideas on how we can make WebAssign better for you!
Two New Gradebook Features
We have recently rolled out two much-requested features related to the WebAssign GradeBook: Automatic Updates and the ability to apply GradeBook settings to multiple sections/classes at once.
Automatic Updates
If you've already set up a GradeBook, go to the main GradeBook page, click Settings, and make sure you're looking at the Basics tab. You should see a new set of controls called "GradeBook Automatic Update Settings", as shown below.
You can decide the time and day (in your local timezone) when the GradeBook values will be be updated to reflect recently completed assignments, score overrides or extra credit you have granted, etc.
For this example, the gradebook is set to auto-update in the middle of the night before your class meets. Over the weekend, when student essays are graded and extension requests are handled, the GradeBook is not auto-updated.
If you're creating a GradeBook for the first time using the Wizard, you can also specify these automatic update settings, as you can see below.
Apply GradeBook settings to multiple sections/classes
We've also updated the last step of the GradeBook settings wizard to make it easy to use the same group of settings for all your classes. On the final review page, you'll notice that we've moved the "Save Settings" button from the bottom of the page (where it sometimes was easy to miss) to a location closer to the top.
Below the Save button, there is a new set of controls that lets you either save your GradeBook settings to the current section only (as previously), or to more than one section. Click "Apply to this section and others" and you'll see a list of other current sections you can apply the settings to - saving yourself lots of clicks and chances for errors.
Question Pooling
This feature has been highly requested - the ability to create assignments by letting WebAssign randomly choose different questions from a "pool" of questions, so that each student gets a truly different assignment to work on.
We have designed this feature for maximum flexibility. WebAssign can now select any number of questions out of a pool, and you can intermix pooled questions with specifically assigned questions within an assignment.
This feature should be particularly beneficial when using test-bank style non-randomized questions.
PencilPad
The PencilPad is a new question type that allows students to show their work using their mouse or a tablet. This question type gives instructors another tool to better see how their students are doing and where they might be going wrong.
Examples for its use include showing the steps in the derivation of a mathematical formula, a simple diagram showing a physical situation, geometrical shapes, simple electrical circuits, and lewis structures for chemistry.
As with essay questions, an instructor will have to grade this question by hand. If you create some questions that really show off what students can do using PencilPad, please let us know so we can put them on our Best Practices page.
New Features for Coding Questions
Hints for Wrong Answers
Here is a simple way for those instructors who write their own questions and want to add hints for a wrong answer. Your hint can guide students who get at least one part of a (potentially multi-part) question wrong.
<EQN $QUESTION_HINT = "Text that you'd like your students to see below the question if they get part of it wrong."; ''>
This hint text can also include HTML, an image, or a link.
Try it out and let us know what you think!
Coding Shortcuts
We have recently added a few ways to make coding questions a little easier.
The first is an easier way to add special symbols like  ,  , or  into your questions. To do this you would just use <s:vecAbold>, <s:infinity>, or <s:nabla>, respectively. For those symbols which produce images, alt tags will be added automatically for accessibility.
The complete list of current symbols is on our website; bookmark the page below for easy copy/paste.
http://webassign.net/info/symbols.html
The second group of shortcuts allows you to display things like matrices, isotopes, and chemical equations without having to use SymImage or lots of HTML markup. Check out the list here:
http://webassign.net/info/html_substitution.html
If you have other shortcuts you would like to see added to this list, please let us know!
New Stats Functions
We have added several new functions that will cut down the amount of computations needed to write a linear regression question. (They may also be helpful in steps of multiple regression or ANOVA.)
For each of the following @a represents a list of x-values of a data set and @b represents a list of y-values from the same data, where x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable.
ssx(@a) will return the "sum of squares" for the data in @a.
ssxx(@a, @b) will return the "sum of squares" for the data in @a.
ssyy(@a, @b) will return the "sum of squares" for the data in @b.
ssxy(@a, @b) will return the sum of the product of the residuals.
corr(@a, @b) will return the correlation coefficient between the data in @a and @b.
linrega(@a, @b) will return the constant term, a, for linear regression of the form a + bx performed on @a and @b.
linregb(@a, @b) will return the slope, b, for linear regression of the form a + bx performed on @a and @b.
LaTeX tag
An exciting new feature for creating elegantly typeset questions and solutions in WebAssign is the integration of the LaTeX typesetting language into the question editor. Entering LaTeX notation is easy and is accomplished by wrapping your LaTeX commands in a simple HTML-like tag. For example:
<latex>
$ f(x) = x2 + 5 $
</latex>
We have included the ability to use your randomized Perl variables inside your markup. Consider:
<eqn $a = randnum(2,9,1);''>
<latex>
$ f(x) = x2 + $a $
</latex>
Experienced LaTeX users will notice the space after the first $. This is important. WA will parse the variables first, so the string $f(x)$ would break if $f was a previously defined variable.
Users wishing to create links to pdfs (most often used for solutions) can do so via the option <latex pdf="your link text goes here">. This will create a hyperlink to a pdf document. A great use would be for long derivations or other things that would 'get in the way' of your question.
Currently, functionality is under development to allow users to include images in their solutions, both static (from the textbook) and randomized (e.g. <mapleplot>).
Coming Soon
Graphing Tool
Another new question type under development for developmental math is the Graphing Tool. This feature will allow students to graph simple functions such as straight lines, parabolas, circles and more complex functions. For example, the student could graph the region where y is less than or equal to 3x (y <= 3x) and WebAssign would grade their work instantly. Below is a preliminary version that may change as we develop this feature further.
Math Palette
We are also hard at work on a Flash-based "math palette" that will allow students to enter symbolic expressions and see the mathematically correct display as they work, rather than entering expressions in calculator notation and clicking "preview". We intend to make it easy to enter most answers entirely with the keyboard for those that prefer not to use the mouse for entry.
Practice Another Version
We've heard many requests to allow students to try variations of a question for their own benefit. This will be possible soon, via a new option in the Assignment Editor.
To enable this feature you will just check a special feedback box, and students will see a link at the end of each question which pops up a different (randomized) version of the same question for them to try. They will not receive credit for their "practice" work, and can practice with as many variations as they want.
It will be possible to have this feature on for most of an assignment, but switched off for particular questions, if needed.
Employment
Interested in working for WebAssign, or know someone who might be? We're hiring!
Please email your cover letter and resume to jobs@webassign.net.
WebAssign is currently seeking:
full-time/part-time chemistry, math, and statistics coders
More information about these positions is located on the employment page of our website.
FAQ
How do instructors report coding errors to WebAssign?
For now, the best way is to simply send an email to question_report@webassign.net - this address puts all emails into a shared "ticketing" system which makes it easier for us to ensure that no request is missed.
New Textbooks for Fall 2007/Spring 2008
Astronomy
Chaisson and McMillan Astronomy Today 6e
Chemistry
Atkins and de Paula Physical Chemistry 8e
Atkins and Jones Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight 4e
Carey Organic Chemistry 7e
Chang Chemistry 9e
Chang General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts 5e
Corwin Introductory Chemistry: Concepts and Critical Thinking 5e
Goldberg Fundamentals of Chemistry 5e (Testbank)
Kelter, Mosher, and Scott Chemistry: The Practical Science 1e
McMurry and Fay Chemistry 5e
Silberberg Principles of General Chemistry 1e
Smith Organic Chemistry 2e
Timberlake Basic Chemistry 1e
Waldron The Chemistry of Everything 1e
Zumdahl Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation 6e
Physics
Halliday, Resnick, and Walker Fundamentals of Physics 8e
Knight, Jones, and Field College Physics: A Strategic Approach 1e
Ohanian and Markert Physics for Engineers and Scientists 3e
Serway and Jewett Physics for Scientists and Engineers 7e
Seeds, "Horizons - Exploring the Universe", ed. 10
Tipler and Mosca Physics for Scientists and Engineers 6e
Giambattista Richardson, and Richardson, Physics 1e
Wolfson Essential University Physics 1e
Math
Aufmann, Barker, and Lockwood Algebra: Introductory and Intermediate 4e
COMAP For All Practical Purposes 7e
Dugopolski Intermediate Algebra 5e
Faires and DeFranza Precalculus 4e
Gustafson and Frisk College Algebra, 9e
Gustafson and Frisk Beginning Algebra 8e
Gustafson and Frisk Intermediate Algebra 8e
Gustafson and Frisk Beginning and Intermediate Algebra: An Integrated Approach 5e
Hughes-Hallett, Gleason, and McCallum Calculus: Single and Multivariable 4e
Kaufmann and Schwitters Algebra for College Students 8e
Kaufmann and Schwitters Intermediate Algebra 8e
Kaufmann and Schwitters Elementary Algebra 8e
Kaufmann and Schwitters Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 4e
LaTorre, Kenelly, Reed, Carpenter, Harris, and Biggers Calculus Concepts 4e
McKeague Basic College Mathematics 2e
McKeague Beginning Algebra: A Text/Workbook 7e
McKeague Intermediate Algebra 8e
Rogawski Calculus 1e
Rogawski Calculus: Early Transcendentals 1e
Smith The Nature of Mathematics 11e
Stewart Calculus 6e
Stewart Calculus: Early Transcendentals 6e
Stewart Essential Calculus 1e
Stewart Essential Calculus: Early Trascendentals 1e
Stewart Redlin, and Watson, Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus 5e
Sullivan PreCalculus 8e
Swokowski and Cole Precalculus: Functions and Graphs 11e
Swokowski and Cole Algebra and Trigonometry with Analytic Geometry 12e
Tan Applied Calculus for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences 7e
Tan Finite Mathematics for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences 8e
Tan Applied Math for Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences 4e
Tussy and Gustafson Intermediate Algebra (Hardcover) 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Intermediate Algebra (Paperback) 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Introductory Algebra 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Prealgebra 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Basic Mathematics for College Students 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Elementary Algebra 3e
Tussy and Gustafson Developmental Mathematics for College Students 2e
Van Dyke, Rogers, and Adams Fundamentals of Mathematics 9e
Waner and Costenoble Finite Mathematics 4
Waner and Costenoble Applied Calculus 4e
Waner and Costenoble Finite Mathematics and Applied Calculus 4e
Statistics
Agresti and Franklin Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data 1e
Devore Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences 7e
Gravetter Essentials of Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 6e
Groebner, Shannon, Fry, and Smith A Course in Business Statistics 4e
Johnson and Kuby Elementary Statistics 10e
Moore The Basic Practice of Statistics 4e
Moore, McCabe, Duckworth, and Sclove The Practice of Business Statistics 1e
Moore and McCabe Introduction to the Practice of Statistics 5e
Peck, Olsen, and Devore Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis 3e
Triola Elementary Statistics Using Excel 3e
Utts and Heckard Mind on Statistics 3e
Yates, Moore, and Starnes The Practice of Statistics 2e
New members of the WebAssign Team
WebAssign has welcomed many new people to the team in recent months.
Eric Boyd: physics editor
Joyce Curry: math and statistics coder
Mark Durrett: math coder
Lora Edwards: UI/UX/Graphic designer
Beth Ellison: Technical Typist
John Fowler: Application Developer
Michael Gutierrez: UI/UX/Graphic designer
Chris Hall: Director of Business Development
Danny Holyfield: Flash/Application Developer
Robert Johnson: Application Developer
Theodore Jackson: IT & Technical Support
Nathan Kelly: Project Coordinator
Joyce Lucia-Kolb: math coder
Austin Luton: physics and math coder
Karen Nippert: math and physics editor
Ian Quattlebaum: Application Developer
John Pritchett: math coder
Neal Provost: math coder
Prabha Ramakrishnan: physics coder
Rachel Wolfe: IT & Technical Support Assistant
George Yuhasz: math coder
Press Release
Raleigh, N.C., January, 2008 - WebAssign, the leading service provider for online, math-science homework and quizzing delivery in higher education, announced that Susan K. Badger, CEO of Thomson Higher Education, is joining the company's advisory board. Badger, a highly regarded senior publishing executive and e-learning strategist, with more than 20 years of experience leading marquee publishers, is being tapped to strengthen the company's market position and to guide its long-term strategy.
Feedback
What do you think of WebAssign? We want to know your thoughts about what works for you, including how long you have been a WebAssign user and how it has improved your classroom learning. Your feedback may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or on our website. We can be reached at info@webassign.net.
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