Using WileyPLUS with EFM9e 1

Improving the learning of our students!

Overview
WileyPLUS improves the learning of our students by providing:
• Tutorial problems so that students recognize and learn from their mistakes in real time,
• Algorithmic problems so that students work the problems themselves (no copying of existing solutions), and
• Concept problems that develop understanding of the main ideas of fluid mechanics.

In addition, WileyPLUS provides accountability by ensuring that students complete assignments on time.

Support
We, the authors, support professors who uses EFM9e. The contact information is:

Feedback/Ideas/Questions (WileyPLUS).
Contact Professor Barbara Williams at barbwill@uidaho.edu

Feedback/Ideas/Questions (EFM9e Textbook, EFM9e Solution Manual)

Contact Professor Don Elger at delger@uidaho.edu.

Tips
1. As the instructor, take the “live” online tutorials provided by WileyPLUS at the beginning of the semester.
2. Use the partial credit options, and allow for multiple attempts for the online homeworks, especially at the
beginning of the semester when students are learning how WileyPLUS works.
3. If you want to assign multiple choice and calculation problems on the same day, separate the assignment
into two parts.
• Part 1. Multiple choice problems. Select the WileyPLUS option that allows only one attempt on these
problems.
• Part 2. Calculation problems. Select the WileyPLUS option that allows three attempts, with diminishing
credit for each attempt.
4. Assign GO-Tutorial Problems because they provide students a chance to check their understanding with
each step of a problem. Assign GO-Tutorial problems in a separate assignment from other problems since
the tutorials give them the answer, and then allow the students to work the problem again with new num-
bers.
5. Use your personal “homepage” on WileyPLUS to post interesting links. Consider including YouTube vid-
eos and asking your students to find useful videos.
6. Consider assigning one to two problems/day instead of an assignment for the week. This keeps students
from putting off their homework to the night before it is due and keeps them in the course all week.
7. Consider allowing students to hand in a hard copy for partial credit if they have difficulty with WileyPLUS
on a given problem. Students will rarely take you up on this opportunity, but they like knowing they have
the option.

1Crowe, C.T., Elger, D.F., Williams, B.C., and Roberson, J.A. (2009). Engineering Fluid Mechanics, 9th Edi-
tion, Wiley: Hoboken, N.J.
8. Assign the FE-exam type questions from WileyPLUS because students like to know they are preparing for
the FE exam.
9. Assign “conceptual” problems developed by nationally renowned educators Mitchell and Martin.

Data (Student Survey)

During spring semester, 2009, Dr. Williams used WileyPLUS in her fluid mechanics course. She gathered data
to gauge student reactions.

Quantitative Data.

To the statement: “I like having the textbook, assignment, review problems, and notes from the in-
structor on line so I can access them wherever I am” (Likert ranking: 3.2 out of 4.0, where 0 is
strongly disagree and 4 is strongly agree).

To the statement: “With WileyPLUS, I like knowing immediately whether I got the homework prob-
lem right, and if not, have another chance, and can immediately see the correct solution.” (Likert
ranking: 3.4 out of 4.0).

To the statement: “Having to buy the new book with the access code is OK given the online features.”
(Likert ranking: 2.4 out of 4.0).

Qualitative Data (what students liked)

“The GO-tutorials are awesome! Since there are so many little things in these problems it is easy to
mess up something small and totally throw off your answer but the tutorial it keeps you on track while
making sure you understand the concept. I think it's great.”

“I like how solutions to the problems are immediately available so that you can know what you did
wrong”

“I like the easy access to grades and solutions of homework problems.”

Qualitative Data (student concerns)

“I think we should be given a few more chances on the non-multiple choice problems.” (See tips
above for how you can address this.)

“I think we should have more partial credit for the computational problems. Sometimes my answer is
off by just a little bit (but more than 2%), yet zero credit is awarded.” (You can relax the tolerances
in WileyPLUS to address this problem).

“I think a problem with WileyPLUS is that you do all the work and you might have the right answer
but you might be off be a factor of ten and you get the problem entirely wrong with no partial credit,
like you would receive on a written out homework.” (See tip above for how you may decide to offer
students the chance to turn in hardcopies of the homework for partial credit.)

Summary
The author team welcomes your questions or ideas! Enjoy your journey with EFM9e and with WileyPLUS!

Dr. Clayton T Crowe Dr. Donald F. Elger Dr. Barbara C. Williams

clayton_crowe@hotmail.com delger@uidaho.edu barbwill@uidaho.edu