Lesson 1: The Homework Dilemma
What's so good about homework?
For the most part, homework gets a bad rap, especially among the students. So, is there anything good about homework?
There has been much research done over the years about the effectiveness of homework, and in general, the results do show that there are benefits. A 1986 report by the U.S.Department of Education reports that low and middle ability students do benefit from homework. A 1994 report by Professor Harris Cooper, a University of Missouri social psychologist also shows a positive correlation between homework and academic achievement in his book Battle over Homework. And most teachers just "know" that homework helps, even if they haven't done any research to prove it. And most would probably agree on their reasons for assigning it.
Perhaps the most important reason teachers have for assigning homework is the opportunity for students to practice skills they learned in class that day. That kind of homework also tells me, the teacher, what things I need to review, re-teach, or feel confident my students understand.
Another reason for assigning homework regularly is to develop a sense of responsibility in students. As students progress through school, they need to develop organizational skills and responsibility for their own work. Homework can help in teaching both of those things.
Here is a list of some of the reasons that teachers assign homework:
Review and Preparation
1. Homework can be given to review work that was taught in class.
2. Homework gives students the opportunity to practice skills they have already learned.
3. Certain assignment can help to get ready for tomorrow's lesson - perhaps reading a chapter for discussion, or preparing a piece of writing to be shared in class the following day.
4. Completion of work that was started in class under the teacher's supervision.
5. Homework can be individual assignments based on classroom performance.
6. Homework can be given in preparation for, or as a way to study for an upcoming test.
Evaluation
1. Completed homework assignments can give teachers feedback on the effectiveness of a given lesson.
2. Homework also gives teachers feedback on the individual performance of students in order to design extra practice or enrichment lessons, and for grading purposes at times.
3. Homework can show areas that need to be re-taught, or areas that are already mastered, both for the class as a whole and for individuals.
Responsibility and Planning
1. Homework teaches students to be responsible for their work. That includes assuming the responsibility for knowing what the assignment is, having the necessary materials to complete the assignment, and getting the assignment back to school the next day.
2. Teaches students to plan and work with deadlines.
3. Teaches students to accept consequences for their actions, both positive when they complete assignments, and negative when they do not.
4. Allows students to develop good study skills.
5. Allows students to develop independence, self-reliance, and perseverance to complete a task.
6. Gives students the organizational and planning skills to become lifelong learners.
Enrichment
Any of the follow can be used as forms of enrichment homework:
1. Projects, reports, book reports
2. Creative approaches to homework assignments (see lesson 2)
3. Long-range assignments - chapter books
4. Individualized assignments
See the resources below for more on the reasons for homework and on homework research.
Helping Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework http://www.pta.org/programs/edulibr/home...
Homework Tips for Parents http://www.nclb.gov/parents/homework/hom...
Homework: What Does the Research Say?http://npin.org/pnews/1997/pnewn97/pnewn...
Homework Research and Policy: A Review of the Literature http://education.umn.edu/CAREI/Reports/R...
Homework Without Tears, Lee Canter: Chapter 2.
