Even if you have used WebAssign in the past, there will still be students who need assistance with the platform each semester. We asked Katie Culler, an instructor and Faculty Partner at Surry Community College, to share her tips and tricks for helping students succeed with WebAssign.
Keep reading to learn 6 peer tips from Katie Culler so your students can start strong in WebAssign this semester.
1) Require WebAssign to Increase Usage by Requiring a Portion Of Students’ Grades
WebAssign is not required to be used by students. Students are less likely than others to use it and reap its benefits. WebAssign should be assigned for at least 10% of a student’s overall grade. However, best practices recommend that they use it for around 20% to encourage them to use it effectively. Their WebAssign average is worth the same percentage of a test. This is a chance to maximize their grade since they get multiple attempts at every question. Who wouldn’t like to have a 100% grade on their test?
2) Log in to help students with the Syllabus or In-Class Time
Include all login instructions, including the link to WebAssign and class key, purchase options, and support training materials, in your syllabus. Next, you will need to ask your students to be available to log in to the platform during class. This can be done in a virtual course via video conferencing. This allows you to communicate with them on their computer and help them with any problems. If your course is not LMS-integrated make sure students have their access codes readily available.
Pro Tip: To help students who are concerned about the cost of Cengage Unlimited, be sure to include it in your syllabus.
3) Explain to your students the benefits of WebAssign
WebAssign can help students succeed in their course if they don’t understand the reasons why. My students tell me that it allows them to practice the skills they have learned in class and provides different tools to help them understand the content. Students can also access the eBook and videos from the assignments quickly and easily to help them with specific questions.
Pro Tip: Share this video to your students for their peers’ perspectives on WebAssign.
4) Show students key features to enhance student success
To encourage independent learning and improve student performance, make sure they are familiar with the practice materials and course support offered by WebAssign. I demonstrate the key features below to students. They can all be found on the homepage of the new student interface. This video can be linked in your syllabus to help students learn about WebAssign.
eTextbooks: Show students where to find them and how to highlight, bookmark, and print them.
My Class Insights: Students can view Class Insights from a student’s perspective. They can show students how to access it and how they can use it for reviewing past assignments or practicing a topic.
Personal Study Plan (PSP: If the PSP is available in your text, enable it. Show your students where it is.
Additional Resources: Show students additional resources such as videos and practice quizzes.
Communication Tools: Show them how they can request an extension or ask you a question through Ask My Teacher.
Notification Settings: I show the students the notification settings and remind them when their assignments are due.
5) Assign the Getting started assignment to show students how to use WebAssign
To ensure students are familiar with the platform, schedule the Getting Started With WebAssign assignment in the first week of class. To help students understand the types of questions that they will encounter in WebAssign, and how to respond to them effectively, the Getting Started with WebAssign assignments can be customized for all major disciplines. The Getting Started Assignment can be found in your Course Packs, or by searching for the assignment ID for the course.
6) Address technical difficulties early
My students are strongly encouraged to contact me if they have any issues with WebAssign. We can then troubleshoot quickly. I can help students solve tech problems in class by asking them to log in to WebAssign during class. I allow students to request extensions during the semester to help them get to grips with the platform. Students feel better knowing that you are available to help them, as long as they try. I remind them that I am available to help with their learning.
Pro Tip: Share the TechCheck link with your students to get a live view of any technical issues WebAssign may encounter.
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