Online Homework Assignments using WebAssign
Many of our homework assignments will be practice problems that originate with our textbook (Wilson/Buffa/Lou Physics) and various sources of "IB style" questions. These bookwork assignments will be assigned using the online program WebAssign, which can be accessed on any device connected to the internet. We will occasionally take time during class to work on these assignments, but most of your work will need to be done as homework, and we will go over select problems during class.
Please be aware that the use of WebAssign is the one class "fee" that we have. In order to access the program, each student will be expected to pay $11.50. More details of how this is to be paid are listed below in the "general information" section.
Scroll down for more information about how WebAssign works, and what your expectations are for completing the homework assignments.
Please be aware that the use of WebAssign is the one class "fee" that we have. In order to access the program, each student will be expected to pay $11.50. More details of how this is to be paid are listed below in the "general information" section.
Scroll down for more information about how WebAssign works, and what your expectations are for completing the homework assignments.
General Information:
Signing up and paying for Webassign:
- Go to www.webassign.net
- Look at the top of the page; click on "Enter class key"
- Enter the class key for your class period (see below)
- Follow instructions for paying using PayPal or a Credit Card*
- If you already have an account (IB Physics 2 students), log in. If you do NOT have an account, create one. :)
Class Keys:
Period 2: skyline.wa 5443 1642
Period 3: skyline.wa 7692 6911
Period 4: skyline.wa 7595 3169
Period 5: skyline.wa 0306 4942
Period 6: skyline.wa 4218 8879
Period 2: skyline.wa 5443 1642
Period 3: skyline.wa 7692 6911
Period 4: skyline.wa 7595 3169
Period 5: skyline.wa 0306 4942
Period 6: skyline.wa 4218 8879
How WebAssign works
All this will become clearer as you use WebAssign (in fact, the first "assignment" is simply a tutorial related to how to enter answers for various types of questions--short answer, multiple choice, matching, calculated answers, etc.)
The benefit of using WebAssign is that you will receive instant feedback on whether or not your calculated answer (or selection on a multiple choice question) is correct. As soon as you have an answer typed in the question's answer box,
If it is correct, you will see a green checkmark next to your answer. (whoo-hoo! It's really a wonderful feeling :) )
If your answer is NOT correct, you will see a red X next to your answer (bummer!). If that happens, just try the question again.
For homework assignments, you'll have up to 10 submissions per question (initially--you can ALWAYS request more chances, but you must come in for help before the extra submissions will be granted!). If you come in for help before the assignment's due date, there's absolutely no penalty for getting those extra submissions! If you come in for help AFTER the assignment's due date, then you'll have a late penalty (anywhere from 10% - 50%, depending on how late you really are). The late penalty will ONLY apply to those questions for which you have not yet earned the points for the assignment.
You will always have a sufficient amount of time to get the problem set completed at home. if there's just a couple questions, it might be due the very next day. if there are several questions, then you will have up to a week between the assignment being assigned and being due. I promise you'll have time to finish it. And if you don't...I can easily open the assignment back up online and give you an extension--you just have to make sure I know you need one!
The benefit of using WebAssign is that you will receive instant feedback on whether or not your calculated answer (or selection on a multiple choice question) is correct. As soon as you have an answer typed in the question's answer box,
If it is correct, you will see a green checkmark next to your answer. (whoo-hoo! It's really a wonderful feeling :) )
If your answer is NOT correct, you will see a red X next to your answer (bummer!). If that happens, just try the question again.
For homework assignments, you'll have up to 10 submissions per question (initially--you can ALWAYS request more chances, but you must come in for help before the extra submissions will be granted!). If you come in for help before the assignment's due date, there's absolutely no penalty for getting those extra submissions! If you come in for help AFTER the assignment's due date, then you'll have a late penalty (anywhere from 10% - 50%, depending on how late you really are). The late penalty will ONLY apply to those questions for which you have not yet earned the points for the assignment.
You will always have a sufficient amount of time to get the problem set completed at home. if there's just a couple questions, it might be due the very next day. if there are several questions, then you will have up to a week between the assignment being assigned and being due. I promise you'll have time to finish it. And if you don't...I can easily open the assignment back up online and give you an extension--you just have to make sure I know you need one!
Grading WebAssigns--How to get your points
There are two parts of the WebAssign Score.
Part 1: The online score--you'll see this score immediately as you finish the assignment. The ONLY way this score will change is if one of three things is true: either there was an error in the code written for the answer key, and your answer should be correct, so I will make the appropriate score adjustment; OR, the question specified that your answer needed to be written to appropriate significant figures, and you did not (so, unfortunately, I'll need to deduct a 1/2 point from that question); OR, you've written a short-response answer (i.e. "Define Momentum") and you've answered incorrectly or not thoroughly enough, so your score will be adjusted in a way that you don't like. If that happens, you can ask for an extension to re-write your answer and get some of those points back if you'd like. :)
Part 2: There will also be a score awarded for specific questions for which work must be shown. This will be part of a daily journal entry. You will be expected to show your work for specific calculation problems in each WebAssign assignment.
The format for your problems will be demonstrated in class the first time we complete one as a daily journal exercise. You will be expected to number each question appropriately, list your variables (ALL of them--many problems have different variables for each student's version of the problem), show the steps you used to solve the problem (including which equation you used) and circle the final answer you entered into WebAssign. You be given a score for each assignment completed based on the following: Did you follow the appropriate format, did you follow it neatly and clearly, and did you make a legitimate attempt to fully complete all the questions. You will NOT be scored on correct answers--that was already done for Part 1. You will be earning your score for showing your work clearly and completely.
Part 1: The online score--you'll see this score immediately as you finish the assignment. The ONLY way this score will change is if one of three things is true: either there was an error in the code written for the answer key, and your answer should be correct, so I will make the appropriate score adjustment; OR, the question specified that your answer needed to be written to appropriate significant figures, and you did not (so, unfortunately, I'll need to deduct a 1/2 point from that question); OR, you've written a short-response answer (i.e. "Define Momentum") and you've answered incorrectly or not thoroughly enough, so your score will be adjusted in a way that you don't like. If that happens, you can ask for an extension to re-write your answer and get some of those points back if you'd like. :)
Part 2: There will also be a score awarded for specific questions for which work must be shown. This will be part of a daily journal entry. You will be expected to show your work for specific calculation problems in each WebAssign assignment.
The format for your problems will be demonstrated in class the first time we complete one as a daily journal exercise. You will be expected to number each question appropriately, list your variables (ALL of them--many problems have different variables for each student's version of the problem), show the steps you used to solve the problem (including which equation you used) and circle the final answer you entered into WebAssign. You be given a score for each assignment completed based on the following: Did you follow the appropriate format, did you follow it neatly and clearly, and did you make a legitimate attempt to fully complete all the questions. You will NOT be scored on correct answers--that was already done for Part 1. You will be earning your score for showing your work clearly and completely.
