Webwork is an online assignment and quiz tool that focuses on numerical problems and equations where you can solve assigned problems as part of homework or assessments. Depending on your instructor’s setup, you may receive instant feedback after answering each problem and/or have multiple attempts to enhance your learning.
| Access | If your instructor creates an assignment in Webwork, you can access it through Canvas. | |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Low demand on internet connections. | |
| Privacy | Webwork is developed and maintained at UBC. |
What will I use it for?
Your instructor may have you use Webwork for solving numerical problems and equations in a variety of ways:
- Practice and submit problem sets within homework assignments
- Complete problems as parts of quizzes
- Take midterms or final exams
This tool guide was last reviewed in June 2024 with version 2.18 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, and Edge. However, we recommend that you use Chrome or Firefox for the best experience. Some browser extensions (mainly adblockers) can prevent filling in form fields in Webwork, so you may need to pause any extensions you have added for Webwork to function properly. Additionally, if you have previously disabled JavaScript, please re-enable JavaScript in your browser so that you can see any interactive elements and content.
Tips
- You can download the Canvas Student app to access Webwork assignments on your mobile device. However, when taking a quiz, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer and logging out from Webwork on all other devices to prevent technical issues in a time-limited scenario.
Access Webwork through Canvas
You can access Webwork exclusively through your Canvas course. Depending on how your instructor sets up the Canvas course, you may access all of your Webwork assignments through the Canvas Course Navigation or through individual Canvas assignments.
- Log in to your Canvas course with your UBC CWL (Campus-Wide Login) and select your course.
- Click Webwork in the Course Navigation.
- If you do not see this option, click Assignments in the Course Navigation and click the assignment name. Then, click Load in a new window to be redirected to Webwork.
- Webwork will open in a new window with the Webwork assignment page or your course dashboard, depending on your instructor's setup.
Tips
- To use multiple tabs in Webwork, please open additional links from within Webwork itself, rather than opening Webwork from Canvas multiple times. Opening multiple tabs from the Canvas Course Navigation more than once may cause errors in Webwork.
Complete a Webwork homework set
Homework sets are groups of problems that make up Webwork assignments.
- Once you have 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 allowed attempts, number of remaining attempts, how many points each question is worth, and the question's completion status.
- 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, you can click the button to the right of the answer input field to use the Equation Editor. The Equation Editor provides access to shortcuts to mathematical symbols and operators and allows you to preview your answer in mathematical form.
- After typing your answer, you can click Preview My Answers to see your entry in its final mathematical form. If this previewed answer is not what you expected, you can adjust your answer.
- Once you are satisfied with your answer, click Submit Answers.
- After you submit your answer, Webwork will tell you if you got the answer correct or incorrect.
- If the problem has multiple attempts, you will be able to submit your answer again.
- 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. You can do this by viewing the homework set page and selecting "Download PDF or TeX Hardcopy for Current Set".
- Use the list of problems on the left side to access the other problems in the set. You are not restricted in taking the problems in a fixed order and can navigate between different problems.
- Preview your answers before you submit to check the syntax of your answers. If you do not have extra attempts, you may not be able to re-attempt the problem as there is no way to undo an answer submission. Previewing your answers does not submit them, and your answers will only become final 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 cannot resolve on your own, contact your instructor or teaching assistant. For access issues, reach out to the support contacts at the bottom of this guide.
Complete a Webwork quiz or exam
A Webwork Test is a quiz or exam version of a homework set, which may or may not by proctored. A proctored test will prompt you to enter a password to take the test. Your instructor should provide this password to you.
- Before starting, ensure that you are prepared for the test by familiarizing yourself with the time limit, instructions, and course content.
- Once you have accessed Webwork through Canvas, click the Webwork Test name to be completed.
- For proctored tests, enter the proctor password distributed by your instructor.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 test.
Tips
- Webwork Tests share characteristics similar to 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. The timer will start as soon as you begin a test.
- Click the "preview answers" button periodically to check the syntax of your answers. Previewing your answers will enable you to see the format of 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 once you click the "Grade Test" button.
View your Webwork grades
Grades in Canvas for your Webwork assignments may not be accurate right away, as the grades will only sync from Webwork to Canvas once per day. If you would like to see your grades, you can try checking them on Webwork directly.
- Once you have accessed Webwork through Canvas, click Grades in the left-hand navigation menu.
- A table of the homework sets assigned to you will show your corresponding score and percentage for each set.
Tips
- Accessing Webwork grades in Canvas is dependent on how your instructor sets up Webwork with Canvas. To see if your 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:
- Students in the UBCV Faculty of Science can first contact Skylight for assistance:
604 822 2749 or LT.support@science.ubc.ca or visit the Skylight online. - Anyone can contact us for assistance:
604 827 4775 or LT.hub@ubc.ca or visit the LT Hub online. - For time-sensitive questions, also reach out to your instructors or teaching assistants, as they may be able to provide real-time assistance in helping you resolve issues.
Online learning support
- Visit UBC’s Keep Learning site and the Chapman Learning Common’s student toolkits.
- Visit the UBC Vancouver’s Centre for Accessibility page or the UBC Okanagan’s Disability Resource Centre page to learn more about available support for students with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions.
Learn more
- For more information geared at students, explore Webwork’s student Wiki pages.