Learning and teaching
What about Homework?
Some of the mounting stress that young people feel at school comes from the amount of homework they have to do. Some of the stress you feel undoubtedly comes from getting them to do it—or doing it for them. The value of homework is hotly debated by educational professionals. Some see no value in it whatever and argue that it should be eliminated in schools. They include A. Kohn, an influential leader in education. In his book The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing,' he argues that there is no necessary link between homework and student achievement in school and that the negative effects of homework on students' home and personal lives far outweigh any other benefits that might be claimed for it. Others see a variety of educational and other benefits in homework, and there's a full range of opinion in between.
How much homework do young people typically have these days? What does research and experience say about whether there's any value in it? What can you do as a parent to support your children with the homework they have or, if you think they have too much, to reduce or eliminate it?
Benefits
There's much debate:
Children learn to deepen their understanding of specific content; to cover content at their own pace; to become more independent learners; to develop problem-solving and time management skills; and to relate what they learn in school to outside activities.
Teachers can see how well their students understand the lessons; evaluate students' individual progress, strengths, and weaknesses; and cover more content in class.
Parents can engage practically in their children's education; see firsthand what their children are being taught in school; and understand more clearly how they're getting on-what they find easy and what they struggle with in school.
Dr. Ashley Norris is assistant dean at the University of Phoenix College of Education. Commenting on her university's survey, she says, “Homework helps build confidence, responsibility and problem-solving skills that can set students up for success in high school, college and in the workplace."
That may