Is+homework+really+helpful+for+a+child's+learning?

References Professional Journal: Bartel, L. and Cameron, L. (2009). The Researchers At the Homework. //Education Canada, 49,// 48-51. Retrieved from: http://0-vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.helin.uri.edu/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common.jhtml.42 Dr. Linda Cameron, the Associate Professor in the Curriculum Teaching and Learning Department of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and Dr. Lee Bartel the Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Toronto wrote this article (found through Wilson Web) after conducting a series of surveys focused on homework in Canada. Similar to the United States position on homework, Canada is experiencing the split indecision as to whether or not homework is really efficient and necessary for students. Their findings include parent and families’ opinion of homework, issues of stressed-out children and what kinds of homework are truly useful. This article presents the information very well and depicts the debate that many people can relate to; On one hand, homework is a useful tool for the student to continue to learn from, connect with their families and enrich the subject that they are studying, however, this type of homework is often replaced by tedious practice drills that may confuse and stress the student to an unhealthy level providing the exact opposite of its purpose. This leads to the debate as to whether or not children should have homework or not; some believe it is pointless and has greater potential for damage than for growth, and others want and demand that children receive large amounts of homework. Although this article is based in Canada, the themes and ideas behind the statistics are related to the issues of homework in the States providing helpful knowledge for the project.

Analysis Article from Time Magazine: Gardner, H. (1999). A Prescription for Peace. //TIME//.

Howard Gardner, who created the theory of multiple intelligences, is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and wrote his article, “A Prescription for Peace” for Time Magazine. In the article he shares his opinion on one’s approach, as a parent and family unit, to homework. He believes that if more people approached homework as an opportunity to act, rather than react, creative and intellectual growth along with family bonding can occur. This article depicts one man’s perception of homework and his approach to it. He presents a more optimistic article than most authors on the subject of homework. His acronym for ACT: Amplification, Countering, Teaching, is a creative way to interpret homework. His belief that with a positive attitude, homework is a positive thing is optimistic but somewhat unrealistic for a child to adopt when they are facing hours of tedious homework assignment. His attitude for ACT is most appropriate for projects and creative assignments; however, homework today is unfortunately laced with hours of dull practice drills that diminish the idea of creativity.

Summary Article from ERIC Digest: Skaggs, A.N. (2007). Homework: A Nightly Ritual Beginning in the Elementary Grades. Retrieved from: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/2b/5e/52.pdf.

This research article from the ERIC Digest was a very informative about the issue of homework in the United States. It gave a history of homework within the United States beginning from the early nineteenth century to modern day. Using a variety of studies dedicated to the issue of homework, the article presented both positive and negative findings of homework. Some of the studies that the article addressed researched cultural differences (for example American students versus Japanese and Chinese students), socioeconomic factors along with psychological effects that homework may cause on young children. I found this article very helpful especially in terms of the variety of studies it related to the issue of homework which illustrates that more homework does not necessarily mean higher achievement from students. The history of homework was also very interesting which I plan to debrief upon in the presentation. Overall, this article gave a great insight to the country as a whole but did not specifically narrow in on certain regions or states.

Editorial: Vatterott, C. (2006). Homework & Schools. Retrieved from: http://www.homeworklady.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27 Dr. Cathy Vatterott is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who has built her branch of business with a number of books, articles for magazines and newspapers and conducting international conferences focused on the need to rethink the use of homework. On her website, homeworklady.com, Dr. Vatterott provides her position on homework: If a child needs help with homework, then it is not good homework. Also, in the number of articles listed there is procedures and goals of good quality homework along with assistance for parents and teachers who are struggling with issues that homework often presents. Dr. Vatterott provides plenty of help in structuring and planning for parents and teachers who are struggling with the concept of “good” homework but she also provides great insight as a teacher, principle and parent. In one of her articles, “Homework Myths” she mentions common misconceptions of homework that will help strengthen the argument against today’s typical homework assignment.

Analysis Article from Time Magazine: Wallis, C. (2006). The Myth About Homework. //TIME//, 1-2. Author Claudia Wallis reports for Time Magazine some of the blunt facts about homework in the country. These facts, such as students with more homework than ninety minutes in middle school and more than two hours in high school report lower standardized test scores, illustrate the damage that homework can cause. From the article it is evident to understand the issue that homework is causing in children. Although this article is clearly one-sided in terms of the problems with homework for today’s students, it provides facts that all teachers, parents and students should know of the importance of homework. A quote which explains the project’s main thesis is, “It's one thing to say we are wasting kids' time and straining parent-kid relationships, but what's unforgivable is if homework is damaging our kids' interest in learning, undermining their curiosity." This article provides useful facts that will help persuade the negative aspects of homework in today’s curriculum.