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Media
Contacts:
Sally Ramey, 919/513-0300 or sally_ramey@ncsu.edu
Mick Kulikowski, 919/515-3470 or mick_kulikowski@ncsu.edu
Sept.
12, 2002
NC State's
"WebAssign" Online Homework Changing the Classroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Before
the first day of fall semester classes at North Carolina
State University, more than 100 students had already turned
in their first homework assignments. The students were
able to access their assignments through WebAssign, a
unique online service that enables students to complete
their homework and have it automatically graded online.
Created
in 1997 by faculty at NC State, WebAssign is quickly
revolutionizing the way math and science courses are
taught and the way students learn. The most advanced
system of its kind on the Web, the software enables
teachers to distribute, collect, grade and record assignments
quickly, accurately and automatically over the Internet.
WebAssign
software is a textbook or quiz that "talks back."
Teachers can pull from existing textbook questions or
write their own. Students answer online, can check answers
at any time, and have the opportunity to rework problems
until they get them right.
"WebAssign
unlocks the door to a new way of teaching - to a classroom
without walls where time isn't a boundary and record-keeping
is no longer a burden," said John Risley, WebAssign
director and NC State physics professor. "WebAssign
harnesses the power of the Internet and puts it to work
for teachers, giving them the freedom to get back to
teaching."
The
software also offers a unique feature - it randomizes
numbers, offering each student unique questions to solve.
This feature makes it virtually impossible to copy another's
work, and very difficult to do assignments right before
class.
WebAssign
has the flexibility to handle any kind of coursework.
Questions can be numerical and algebraic as well as
multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill in the blank,
short answer, essay or poll. Complex questions using
all types of answers can be created. Variables, words
and phrases, graphics, and sound and video files can
all be randomized.
Starting
as a project in NC State's Physics Education Group in
1997, WebAssign is now used by more than 17,000 students
in almost 400 classes at the university.
WebAssign
has quickly attained national prominence. More than
65,000 students in more than 150 universities use WebAssign.
This includes the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, North Carolina A&T University, East Carolina
University, University of Virginia, all United States
military academies, Notre Dame, Wake Forest University,
University of Wisconsin and University of Washington.
WebAssign
also boasts a growing high school market, with 12,000
students.
"WebAssign
has taken quality education to the next level by making
homework assignments and tests more effective teaching
tools," said NC State Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.
"Students are more accountable for their homework
and faculty can better manage time spent in the classroom.
We're very excited to see this program expand."
Instructors
interested in more information on WebAssign should contact
info@webassign.net, 800/955-8275, or visit http://webassign.net.
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Raleigh,
NC 27695
