Padangekspres.net-Anita and John have a bright child who, a couple of times a year, brings home a report that glows in all areas, bar one – homework. "For every subject she gets 'outstanding' and 'always' – then in homework it's 'rarely' and 'developing'," Anita says. "This blot on her report is a mark for my parenting as I don't push official homework as we just don't have the time."
Anita and John work full-time and have three kids with normal busy lives that include swimming, ballet and learning an instrument.
Anita and John work full-time and have three kids with normal busy lives that include swimming, ballet and learning an instrument.
Homework, which Anita says is usually in the form of a "boring old worksheet", is not a priority in their household. "In fact, it's the bane of our family's life."
Calls for reform
While the pros and cons of homework have been argued, researched and debated for decades, its position in education policies around the world remains strong. Most Australian kids in mid-to-late primary and nearly all kids in secondary school are set regular homework.
But that's not a good enough reason to blindly accept homework as part of school life, says associate professor Richard Walker, who is co-authoring a book due for release later this year on the need for homework reform in Australia. He believes that homework in the "uninspiring" form that most students receive it is of little benefit.
"Except with those in years 11 and 12, there is definite evidence to show that homework is of no benefit when it comes to improving academic achievement. And then with those older students, it's only of benefit to about 45 per cent. It does not improve academic outcomes at all for primary-school kids," he says.
What about the argument that it helps kids develop independent and self-directed learning practices? Yes, that's true to a point, Walker says, but that's only if parents or someone else is there with the child assisting and supporting.
To that end, he recommends that if homework is to continue to be an integral part of education policy, then "homework centres" or online support networks need to be available for kids to access.
"Skills of self-regulation must be learned – kids are not born with them – so what happens when a parent is not around to provide that assistance? Without the support of someone, the exercise of doing homework is of little benefit to the child," he says.
He adds that there is no relationship between the amount of time spent on homework each night and learning outcomes.
But that's not a good enough reason to blindly accept homework as part of school life, says associate professor Richard Walker, who is co-authoring a book due for release later this year on the need for homework reform in Australia. He believes that homework in the "uninspiring" form that most students receive it is of little benefit.
"Except with those in years 11 and 12, there is definite evidence to show that homework is of no benefit when it comes to improving academic achievement. And then with those older students, it's only of benefit to about 45 per cent. It does not improve academic outcomes at all for primary-school kids," he says.
What about the argument that it helps kids develop independent and self-directed learning practices? Yes, that's true to a point, Walker says, but that's only if parents or someone else is there with the child assisting and supporting.
To that end, he recommends that if homework is to continue to be an integral part of education policy, then "homework centres" or online support networks need to be available for kids to access.
"Skills of self-regulation must be learned – kids are not born with them – so what happens when a parent is not around to provide that assistance? Without the support of someone, the exercise of doing homework is of little benefit to the child," he says.
He adds that there is no relationship between the amount of time spent on homework each night and learning outcomes.
What's the point of homework?
Supporters of homework believe it has many benefits, including helping students to review, reinforce and practise what has been taught during school hours, as well as teaching kids to be organised and self-motivated.
WA parenting specialist Claire Eaton says that as homework remains a firm education policy in Australia, parents may as well figure out ways to make it work for their kids and family life in general.
"Problems arise for many families because they don't have homework systems in place," Walker says. She adds that children need help setting up a pattern of when and where they do their homework, which needs to be built into the family schedule. "For example, in my family it works better if homework is done in the morning before school."
Eaton adds that establishing good study habits early on will help prevent tensions and arguments happening in later years when homework is an unavoidable fact of life.
But if homework is not working for kids, both Walker and Eaton urge parents to talk to their children's teachers.
"Getting any benefit at all from homework can also depend on the quality of what's set," Walker says.
"Interesting, well-thought- out tasks can motivate and inspire kids to learn and be enjoyable to do. But too often children are given dull 'drill and practise' repetitive tasks which are de-motivating and boring and can have adverse effects overall."
WA parenting specialist Claire Eaton says that as homework remains a firm education policy in Australia, parents may as well figure out ways to make it work for their kids and family life in general.
"Problems arise for many families because they don't have homework systems in place," Walker says. She adds that children need help setting up a pattern of when and where they do their homework, which needs to be built into the family schedule. "For example, in my family it works better if homework is done in the morning before school."
Eaton adds that establishing good study habits early on will help prevent tensions and arguments happening in later years when homework is an unavoidable fact of life.
But if homework is not working for kids, both Walker and Eaton urge parents to talk to their children's teachers.
"Getting any benefit at all from homework can also depend on the quality of what's set," Walker says.
"Interesting, well-thought- out tasks can motivate and inspire kids to learn and be enjoyable to do. But too often children are given dull 'drill and practise' repetitive tasks which are de-motivating and boring and can have adverse effects overall."
Are you a homework soft touch?
In a 2008 US survey, 43 per cent of parents admitted to doing their kids' homework at least once. The softest touch were dads, almost half of whom owned up to some homework forgery.
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