Homework

Artifact one is from the February 2009 issue of American Teacher, and questions the use of homework.

Artifact:
“Research on homework remains a mixed bag” American Teacher; Feb 2009; 93, 5; ProQuest Education Journals pg. 7

Synopsis

The article “Research on homework remains a mixed bag” analyzes a recent review from Edvantia for the Center for Public Education. The main claim of the article is that “homework is not a strategy that works for all children”. In addition to this claim, the article questions the effectiveness of homework.
Homework can be beneficial, however there are highly varied results. Students of a lower socio-economic status may not benefit from homework, due to lack of resources. This includes both the physical (i.e. computer) and the affective (i.e. support from family) aspects of homework. Homework can be helpful when students are at an older age, and able to practice skills learned in class to solidify their learning.
There is, and probably always will be, a question as to how much homework is acceptable to give. The study states that 1.5 – 2.5 hours per night is best for high school students, one hour for middle school students, and less than that for elementary school students.


Evaluation

Homework should not be used for assessment that will go onto a report card. Period. By giving homework, with the threat that it needs to be done because it will be marked, we are only broadening the gap between those students who finish their homework and those that don’t. Is our assessment designed to assess the actual ability of the student to complete their homework? If not (hopefully), we cannot take in homework for grades to be used on a report card.
How much homework should be given out? During my internship I had parents asking: “Are they getting enough homework?”, “Should you be giving out more homework?”, “Are they getting all their homework done in class?”. I remember my mother asking the same questions in my parent-teacher interviews. When my parents went to school, they came home laden with homework and assume that it should be the same for their children. Homework takes time. The article suggests that students in high school should have 1.5 – 2.5 hours of homework a night. Does this take into account that many of our high school students are involved in various activities around the school, including sports, extra-curricular activities, performing arts, and student council to name a few. These same students are also likely involved in extra-curricular activities outside of school, trying to hold down a part time job, and dealing with issues amongst family and friends. Adding an additional 2.5 hours a night, or 12.5 hours a week will only add to this stress. If students are up late hours completing their homework, it is not fair for teachers to expect them to be alert and ready to learn in class the next day.
Is homework necessary? Sometimes. Homework should only be given as a natural consequence. Enough time needs to be given in class for the students to complete the task. If students use their time wisely, they will have completed the assignment. If they are off-task, they may find themselves with some homework at the end of the night. The difference is that this homework is a direct result of the student’s own behavior.
My final concern with homework is the question of who is really doing it. Just as with the science fair example at the beginning of our course, I question who is responsible for the grade, if we are giving marks based on homework. Have the students copied each other’s notes? Do they have the notes of someone who previously took the course? Did they copy and paste from the Internet? Did their parents do the homework? All these questions come forward. The bottom line is that homework, if it is given, should enhance the student’s learning. As teachers we need to think about whether it would be better for the learning of our students to give them constant homework to complete, or whether it would be more beneficial to have an extended work period during class time to allow everyone to succeed by their own account.
Homework can be effectively used as formative assessment. By taking in or looking over assigned work, the teacher is able to assess what the level of understanding is for that particular student. This will help the teacher to gauge where the class is at, and identify areas that need to be re-taught. If it is used effectively, homework can help further student learning. Teachers just need to ask themselves whether or not it is really necessary.


The following is the article used for this review.
Research on Homework Mixed Bag

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Research Homework Homework