1. How Much Homework?
EDU 412/413

2. Outline Overview Need for Homework Current Trends Designing Homework
Motivating Students

3. Overview Why do we need homework? Three types of homework:
Practice
Preparation
Extension
How much time is enough?
PTA (U.S.) Standards non-specific for Secondary School

4. Need for Homework Intellectual discipline Establish study habits
Ease time constraints on the amount of curricular material covered in class
Supplements and reinforces work done in school
Fosters:
student initiative
Independence
Responsibility
Ties between home and school

5. Current Trends
Between 1981 and 1997, amount of homework for elementary students tripled
Secondary students had a large increase, despite not much change to curriculum content
Secondary school math students show grades dependent on amount of homework, not on quality of exercises

6. Designing Homework Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis
Evaluation, Two-Fold
Elaboration
Imagination

7. Motivating Students Expectations must be clearly stated
Purpose must be understood
Choice is often well-received
Vary the audience
Avoid “fluff”
Do not overdo for the sake of rigor