How To Make Homework Work

Homework serves several important purposes. It can be used to reinforce what has been learned in the classroom and provide students with an opportunity to practice it in a problem solving context. It can also take the form of pre-reading to prepare students for the next day’s lesson or to study for a test.

But not all homework is well designed or assigned for the right reasons, with the result that students aren’t motivated to give it their best and don’t receive any benefit from it. So, with that in mind, this article offers 6 simple strategies to help make homework more effective for your students.

Ineffective homework

Examples of ineffective homework include;

• Homework that doesn’t mirror what was taught – if homework contains new concepts not yet covered in the classroom, students may learn and practise them incorrectly.
• Homework that’s assigned but not reviewed – if students receive no feedback on their homework, they will continue to repeat any errors they are making or misconceptions they may have.
• Homework that’s assigned hastily – if you run out of time and assign homework in a rushed verbal manner at the end of class, some students may not hear it or fully understand what is required.
• Homework assigned without purpose – homework that is assigned for the sake of giving homework, with no interest for the student or clear objective in mind, will lead to frustration and a lack of motivation to complete it.

Effective homework

So how can teachers and parents make homework more beneficial for students? These 6 strategies can help.

Spaced repetition

Rather than simply reinforcing what has been learned in class that day, homework can be used to revisit previous topics from time to time throughout the year to improve overall retention and understanding of those topics.

Retrieval practice

Rather than using homework to cram for one final high stakes exam, assign homework that gives students multiple opportunities to self-assess by retrieving the information from their memories themselves (i.e. mini quizzes).

Flipped classroom approach

This involves replacing traditional homework assignments with video lectures that students can refer to whenever they need to, without having to rely on hastily taken notes in the classroom. This frees up class time for more individual attention and group collaboration.

Use of technology

Creating a website or app that both students and their parents can access would allow homework to be assigned online. This would remove any confusion about instructions for completion and would allow parents to monitor their children’s homework requirements.

Establishing routines

Having a clear schedule of when homework is to be done and where it is to be done in the home (i.e. allocating a dedicated space) will ensure homework is not only completed, but to a higher standard. Parents working from home are best placed to ensure the success of this strategy, as they are there when their children come home from school.

Giving students choice

This can be an effective strategy for parents whose children are resistant to homework. Choice can include the order in which assignments are done and the schedule they will follow to complete them. This can help to motivate children and reduce power struggles with parents.

Effective homework should also be;

• Assigned for a reason other than just busywork.
• Inclusive, allowing students to learn by making decisions and choices
• Reviewed in a timely manner, offering students feedback on what they have mastered and what still needs work
• Tailored to each student’s learning needs (although this is not always possible in larger classes)
• Achievable – if homework is too difficult for students to complete themselves, they may ask others to do it for them (i.e. their parents).
• Clearly explained before students leave the classroom.
• Focused on quality rather than quantity, providing clear opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of the subject.
• Age-appropriate, with less homework for primary age students (about 1 hour per day), slightly more for secondary students (2 hours per day) and the most for high school students (3 to 4 hours per day).

Some suggest that a system of rewards and punishments is an effective way to get children to do their homework, but while this might work with younger children, it seems less likely to be successful with older students.

A much more effective way to ensure that they not only do their homework, but also obtain some benefit from doing so, is to create assignments that are child-friendly (i.e. practical, doable and interesting) and to back them up with the feedback and the support they need to be successful.