How Effective is Homework as a Learning Resource?

Is Homework Effective In Learning?

Homework efficiency and effectiveness has been a long debated topic. Many people view it as important keystone to reinforce learning, while others think it is only busy work that interferes with activities at home. One article gives an example of how homework is debated, “During the first few decades of the 20th century, educators commonly believed that homework helped create disciplined minds . . . by 1940, growing concern that homework interfered with home activities sparked a reaction against the practice of homework . . . and this trend was reversed in the 1950’s when the Soviet’s launched Sputnik lead to concern that education in the United States lacked rigor” (Costley 2). Many studies have been conducted on the subject to correlate student achievement with homework completion, with very few positive results. “Some studies show positive effects of homework under certain conditions and for certain students, some show no effects, and some suggest negative effects” (“Value of Homework, at a Glance” 1). Homework is not useful for learning because of studies in its effectiveness, studies in its relation to achievement, and the opinions of parents, teachers, and students on the subject.

This paper is organized as one main page that describes the topic and one additional page for each subtopic that all tie together in the subject of homework effectiveness, and lack of. The fifth page is a conclusion of my findings based on the resources upturned when researched.

STUDIES IN HOMEWORK EFFECTIVENESS

Every day in the United States, students have anywhere from 0 to 5 hours of homework, depending on their grade and classes. Elementary students usually have at least 30-60 minutes of homework each night...

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...ade down in class, while ½ say homework boosts their grades, and another ¼ saying homework doesn’t affect their grades]”(“Homework Survey Findings” 16).

Homework is tied in with student achievement because it is thought to reinforce learning at home. But what if students cannot complete the homework in time at home or if the student does not understand the material without teacher interaction? Then the student’s achievement in school deteriorates, and the student does not learn the entire curriculum.

PARENT, TEACHER, AND STUDENT OPINIONS

Parents, teachers, and students all stand on various sides in the debate of homework effectiveness. In a poll conducted by Mountain View High School,

Some teachers do not like homework because it provides ample chances for cheating between students, instead of tests, that isolate each student to figure out what they alone know