Implementing the WeBWorK Homework System in ME 200: Thermodynamics I
Carl Wassgren, Mechanical Engineering
The project goal was to implement the WeBWorK homework system for ME 200: Thermodynamics I, a large-enrollment Mechanical Engineering course.
Instructional goals
- Computerizing the administration of homework to insure its effective use
- Improving student learning by increasing the percentage of students completing homework and providing them with immediate feedback
Project Rationale
A significant problem in large-enrollment courses is that students do not get rapid, accurate feedback on their homework. The difficulties in collecting, grading, recording, and returning homework in these courses often result in inaccurate or cursory grading, which encourages widespread cheating, and slow return times. In some cases, graded homework is not even made part of the course due to such logistical issues.
Fortunately, all of these difficulties can be overcome by implementing WeBWorK, a free, online computer system for administering and automatically grading student homework. WeBWorK provides immediate, accurate feedback on homework answers and can be configured to give each student randomized problems. Furthermore, the system can be set to allow students multiple chances to give a correct answer and to provide hints depending on the answers. WeBWorK can make homework a meaningful part of large enrollment courses.
Implementation
Approximately half of the fall 2006 and spring 2007 enrollment of ME 200 will use WeBWorK as their homework system while the remaining half of will use the traditional method. Comparisons of the homework and exam scores between the WeBWorK group and control group will be made to assess effectiveness.
Most of the work for this project entails writing homework problems for WeBWorK, which is the most difficult aspect of setting up the system. Problems are coded using the PG (Problem Generating) language, a hybrid of LaTeX and Perl. A student will code thermodynamics problems based on the course textbook and previously used ME 200 problems. The goal is to establish a database of 300 problems before the end of the fall 2006 term. Dr. Wassgren received a Digital Content Development Grant from Teaching and Learning Technologies to support the implementation of the WeBWorK system.
Technologies Used
WeBWorK, a Java web application development framework, was originally developed by the University of Rochester, and has since been used in mathematics and physics courses at more than 80 universities. WeBWorK is open-source; the only hardware cost is that of a server, while the operating system (Linux) and the required software are free.
Impact on Student Learning
The desired outcome of the project is to increase the percentage of students completing their own homework assignments and, as a result, improve student learning. The former outcome can be determined from WeBWorK statistics while the latter can be assessed by correlating homework and exam scores.
Upon successful completion of this project, WeBWorK will be used for the entire ME 200 enrollment in subsequent semesters. In addition, a National Science Foundation Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement grant will be submitted to fund WeBWorK problem development for additional Mechanical Engineering courses, ME 270 and ME 274.
IDC Staff Contact:
Geoff Holden
gholden@purdue.edu