The topic of homework is near and dear to my heart because I see the assembly line teachers not wanting to deviate from what has always been done. Homework gives teachers a purpose, it provides them with something tangible to assign and check. The monotony of homework helps teachers feel as though they are doing their job. I think this is a terrible trend that should be questioned and changed. I believe that learning in school is very important and demonstrating knowledge is critical to growth, however, I do not feel that daily homework assignments are significantly beneficial. Many parents assist and check their child's homework, which does not allow the teacher to identify if a child is having difficulty with a certain concept. Expecting students to demonstrate responsibility and understanding can be done during the school day. I'm not saying that work done at home should not exist at all, I'm merely suggesting that work be assigned sporadically throughout the school year, not daily and not composed of worksheets or drill and kill assignments.
I definitely agree with you that there is no benefit in giving students worksheets or assignments that require nothing other then drills. Although, I too am not convinced that no homework at all is a better option. Instead, I think homework needs to be more differentiated just as our lessons should be. There are some students that may require a lot of reinforcement of skills after the school day or there may be others that can use that time to study topics of interest or strengthen their creativity.
ReplyDeleteIt is true because of parent assistance, especially at the elementary level, that homework should not be used as a means of assessment. Instead it should be used to reinforce necessary skills or to act as a springboard for the following day's lesson.
Additionally, students should know that learning should not end when the school day does. There are too many children in this country that are not provided with any stimulation once they go home. They do not belong to families where they participate in conversations or are read to at night. For these kids, homework can be an essential extension of school.
@Chera
ReplyDeleteI agree that homework is not always the best practice, especially when it is just for the sake of giving homework. Nevertheless, homework is sometimes a necessary evil. I give homework 1 to 3 nights a week, but always as reinforcement of the day’s work or in preparation for the next day. However, it depends on the subject matter and how the students worked through the lesson that day. If they do not understand what we have done in Math class that day, then what is the point of assigning homework? Science is a different story. I rarely assign homework because my Science program is completely hands-on and discussion based.
I find that because of the age group that I teach, the parents are less involved in making sure that their child’s homework is done correctly. They usually only make sure that it is done, if they check at all.
When I first started teaching, I worked with a wonderful teacher who taught me that there is no reason to assign 15 problems when 3 to 5 is sufficient to discover if the students are on the right track. I have come to think of homework that way as well.
Susan
Have you tried a Flipped Classroom?
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