WeBWorK is an internet based method for delivering homework problems to students over the internet. It gives students instant feedback as to whether or not their answers are correct.

• Advanced mathematics problems can be authored, displayed and printed with typeset quality. WeBWorK can handle most standard homework problems assigned in calculus, vector calculus, and differential equations courses. WeBWorK comes with a Rochester library of over 2500 problems covering pre-calculus, first year calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, probability, and statistics. Professors can easily write their own problems (or edit library problems) and in fact several colleges, universities, and high schools are distributing their own libraries of problems. WeBWorK is currently in use by approximately 50 colleges, universities, and high schools.
• WeBWorK produces similar but individualized problems for each student.This makes WeBWorK particularly effective in a group learning setting, since students can collaborate without copying.WeBWorK remembers each student's problems, so they can connect to WeBWorK, attempt a problem, receive immediate feedback about the validity of their answers, try again or logout and give the problem more thought if necessary, and then reconnect to WeBWorK to attempt their own individualized problem again. Students can attempt a problem as many times as they wish until the due date unless the instructor desires to place a limit on the number of allowed attempts. Each problem in a set can have a different limit on the number of allowed attempts. For example, instructors may wish to limit the number of attempts on T/F questions while allowing unlimited attempts on problems requiring numeric and symbolic answers.
• Flexible mechanisms are available for handling numeric, symbolic, and string answers. Numeric answers may (at the instructor's option) allow elementary functions such as 3sin(pi/2)+ln(e^2) which WeBWorK will evaluate, or the instructor can require that the student enter a numeric answer such as 5. Symbolic answers allow for questions such as: enter an anti-derivative for x^2cos(x^3). Some correct answers are .3333*sin(x^3) or (1/3)sin(x^3) + 7; however (cos(x))^2 + sin(x^3)/3 + (sin(x))^2 is also correct and WeBWorK will accept that too. WeBWorK will accept any correct answer. String answers allow for T/F, matching, multiple-choice, and short answer questions.
• Problem sets are graded automatically, and the resulting scores are easily exported to and imported from spreadsheet programs such as Excel. Much more detailed statistical information on the current progress of a class or an individual in completing any assignment is available.
• For physics problems, WeBWorK can check units attached to numeric answers and make the proper conversions.
• Graphs of functions can be generated "on the fly" by a single statement enabling one to easily ask questions involving individualized graphs for each student. GIF, PNG, and EPS illustrations, animated GIF's, HTML hyperlinks, JavaScript code and Java applets can all be embedded in WeBWorK problems in order to enhance their educational effectiveness.
• The pg language developed for writing WeBWorK problems is built on the widely used scripting language Perl. Mathematical formulas can be written in LaTeX, the mathematical typesetting language, and as with TeX, ease-of-use has been added in the form of macro packages. Even complicated numerical subroutines can be included to help check the answers to problems. Novice problem writers will use these macro packages to write problems, while expert problem writers can extend the capabilities of the language by writing new macro packages.
• Students can access WeBWorK from any computer connected to the internet, and instructors can use any computer and browser for management of the assignments.