Webwork Student Guide

Webwork is an online assignment and quiz tool for numeric problems and equations that allows you to solve assigned problems as part of homework or assessments. Depending on how your instructor sets it up, you may receive instant feedback after answering each problem and/or have multiple attempts, to better understand your learning.
Access Immediate If your instructor creates an assignment in Webwork, you can access it through Canvas.
Bandwidth Yes Low demand on internet connections.
Privacy Yes Webwork is developed and maintained at UBC.

What will I use it for?

Your instructor may have you use Webwork for solving numeric problems and equations in a variety of ways:

  • Practice and submit sets of problems as homework assignments
  • Complete problems as part of quizzes
  • Take midterm or final exams

This tool guide was last reviewed in December 2022 with version 2.17 of Webwork.

What do I need to use Webwork?

A supported web browser

Webwork runs in your web browser and supports using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. However, we recommend that you use the latest version of Chrome or Firefox for the best experience. Additionally, some browser extensions (mainly adblockers) can prevent filling in form fields in Webwork, so you may need to pause these extensions for Webwork to function properly.

Tips

  • You can download the Canvas Student app to access Webwork assignments on your mobile device. But when taking a quiz, we recommend using a desktop/laptop computer and logging out from Webwork on all other devices (except the one you are using), to prevent technical issues in a time-limited scenario.

How do I use Webwork?

Click any bar below to find instructions and tips for using Webwork.

Expand All

Access Webwork through Canvas

You will access Webwork exclusively through your Canvas course.

  1. Log in to your Canvas course with your UBC CWL (Campus-Wide Login), and click Assignments in the Course Navigation to access your assignments.
  2. Click the Webwork link to your Webwork course, where you will be able to access and complete your Webwork assignments.
    • The name of the link and where this link appears may differ from course to course, depending on how your instructor sets up Canvas. Most likely, you will be able to find Webwork links by clicking Assignments or Modules in the Course Navigation.
  3. Click Load Webwork link in a new window for the course or assignment. You will be redirected to Webwork.

Tips

  • Opening multiple Webwork tabs using the Canvas Webwork link may cause errors. To use multiple tabs in Webwork, please open only one link from Canvas and additional links from within Webwork itself.

Complete a Webwork homework set

Homework sets are groups of problems that make up Webwork assignments.

  1. Once you’ve accessed Webwork through Canvas, click the homework set to be completed.
    • On the homework set page, you will see the list of problems that the set contains. Each problem shows the number of attempts allowed, number of attempts remaining, worth, and status.
  2. To get started, select a problem to work on by clicking it. There will be empty fields where you can input your answers.
    • For fill-in-the-blank questions, click the button to the right of the answer input field to use the Equation Editor. The Equation Editor provides access to entry shortcuts and gives you a quick way to preview your answer in mathematical form.
  3. After typing your answer, you can click the Preview My Answers button to see your entry in final mathematical form. If this previewed answer is not what you expected, you can adjust your answer.
  4. Once you’re satisfied with your answer, click Submit Answers.
  5. After you submit, Webwork will tell you if you got the answer correct or incorrect.
  6. To access the next question, click the Next Problem button at the top.

Tips

  • You can download and print the homework set before inputting your answers online.
  • Use the list of problems on the left side to access the other problems in the set.
  • It’s best to always preview your answer before you submit. You may not have extra attempts, and there is no way to undo an answer submission. Previewing your answers does not submit them; answers become final only once you submit.
  • If Webwork says your answer is incorrect but you can see it is correct, use the preview button to check the syntax of your answer for errors. For example, ensure you have used brackets where appropriate or the correct number of decimal places throughout your calculations, as the answer format can be very specific.
  • If you have technical issues you can’t resolve on your own, contact your instructor or teaching assistant or reach out to the support points at the bottom of this guide.

Complete a Webwork quiz or exam

A gateway quiz is a quiz or exam version of a Webwork assignment. These may be proctored or not. A proctored quiz means you will need to enter a password, when prompted. Your instructor should provide this password to you.

  1. Prior to starting, ensure that you are prepared for the quiz by familiarizing yourself with the time limit, instructions, and course content.
  2. Once you’ve accessed Webwork through Canvas, click the gateway quiz to be completed.
    • For proctored gateway quizzes, you must enter the proctor password distributed by your instructor.
  3. Once you begin, use the preview answers button at the bottom right corner of each question to check the syntax of answers as you go, which will also save your answer.
  4. After you have finished all the questions, click the Preview Test button at the bottom of the page to check the format of all your answers.
  5. Once you are satisfied with the mathematical form of your answers, click the Grade Test button at the bottom of the page to submit the quiz.

Tips

  • Gateway quizzes share characteristics similar to classic quizzes in Canvas, such as the following:
    • Time limits
    • Different question sets per student
    • Multiple pages for one set
    • Hidden scores after completion
  • The time limit can be found on the top right corner of your screen, as soon as you begin a gateway quiz.
  • It’s best practice to click the "preview answers" button periodically to preview your answer and trigger the auto-saving feature.
  • Only click the "Grade Test" button when you are ready to submit your entire quiz. There is no undo.

View your Webwork grades

Grades in Canvas for your Webwork assignments may not be accurate right away, as the grades are only synced from Webwork to Canvas three times per day. If you are eager to see your grade, you can instead try checking it on Webwork directly.

  1. Once you’ve accessed Webwork through Canvas, click Grades under the main menu on the left side of the Webwork homepage.
  2. A table of the assigned sets will show your corresponding score and percentage for each.

Tips

  • Accessing Webwork grades on Canvas is dependent on how your instructor sets up Webwork with Canvas. To see if grades are available in Canvas, click "Grades" in the Course Navigation of your Canvas course.

Where can I get more support with Webwork?

Technical support

If you have trouble accessing Webwork:


Online learning support

Learn more


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