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THE HOMEWORK EFFECT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT (2009)SEMINAR IN EDUCATION (PPB4013)

“THE EFFECT OF HOMEWORK ON STUDENT’S ACHIEVEMENT”By NOOR AFNI BTE ANDI PATURUSI, UNITAR Sabah Regional Centre.

ABSTRACTS

The main purpose of this seminar paper is to identify the effect of homework on how it will be

help to develop student’s achievements especially in academic; throughout involvement and

relationship in learning process either at school or at home. Many researches have been held to

look out the effectiveness of homework that assigned and how it will be to related student’s

achievement by increasing student’s grade or improve student’s personal development. To

complete this seminar paper, I have been applied reading comprehension research as my

methodologies to get information that related to my topic and suitable for further references. All

of the information gathered is from the articles and journal, which has written and have been

publishing in range of years on 1998 until 2009. Based on my seminar topic, I am dividing this

seminar paper into three chapters. On Chapter One, the topic discusses started with

Introduction, then, Problem Statement, and follow by, Research Objectives, Research

Questions, Significance of Research and Theoretical Perspectives. While on Chapter Two, I

am included the part of literature review that discussing the meaning of homework, the

advantage and disadvantage of homework, the roles of teacher, parents and students, types of

homework and suitability of homework that have been assigned or plan for students. At last,

Chapter Three will be conclusions, recommendations, references and appendices part. The

timeline for completing this seminar paper is 6 weeks, start on 02 June 2009 until 10 July 2009.

NOOR AFNI ANDI PATURUSI (DM0580627)


1.0 CHAPTER ONE

1.1. INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, student’s achievements in school have always been a concern for parents,

student and educators. As an effect on it, there have been several theories on what

method, strategies and resources that could to help students achieve the best result in

class. One of the main ideas to developing student achievement has been the use of

homework as an extension learning process after school hour. Many parents

perspective’s that, homework is important to help student keeps on learning than involve

with negative activity outside.

As we could to define all over the world, homework or also known as assignment was

used to help students practice skills learned in the classroom. It has been said that

“much research on homework has been driven by the pragmatic need to understand its

role in improving achievement out-comes” (Warton, 2001). In other words, homework

has been studied many times in order to understand if it does help students achieve.

Although, like many researchers, in an effort to compare these two homework practices,

Foyle (1985) concluded that homework compared to no homework had a statistically

positive impact on student achievement

There have been several studies done on the topic of homework related to student

achievement. Overall the result was that in middle and high school grades “there is a

positive association between the homework and student achievement. This means that

students’ homework affects their grade. Therefore, if no homework was done then the

student‘s achievement was lowered and their grades will suffer. Similarly, students who

do their homework will increase their achievement and improve their grades. In addition,

Cooper's (1989b) meta-analysis of preparation and practice research revealed no

conclusive results regarding comparisons of the two. However, he concluded that, "with

regard to achievement, all eight studies found that homework involving preparation for

new material or practice of old material led to higher scores on tests than homework that

dealt solely with the content of the present day's lesson



Beside that, a recent analysis by Cooper, Robinson, and Patall (2006) indicated a

positive relationship between educational outcomes and homework. However, the

strength of the relationship varied by the student’s grade level and the frequency of and

amount of time allocated to homework. Many educators and policymakers see benefits

of homework beyond improved test scores and advocate its assignment to students in all

grades. For example, homework may be used to reinforce learning by giving students

the opportunity to practice material presented in class or to prepare for new material

(Epstein and Van Voorhis 2001). It can also be used for non-instructional purposes to

promote parent-child interaction or facilitate parent-teacher communication. These

different functions for homework will vary depending on the characteristics and needs of

the students, teachers, and schools.

Among that, the issue of homework has historically been discuss in every Parents –

Teacher Associations (PTA) meetings. It seems to be such a huge matter that never

being solve with any effective method or strategies. Most agree that the purpose of

assign homework to students should be to further facilitate learning, help to promote the

development of strong study and improving organizational skills, also encourage student

to become self – disciplined and independent learners.

However, some factor that occur recently, such as assigning too much homework per

day, become the factor of the negative impact of homework on students that was

plagiarism activity among them. More on it, in lately years, there has been much debate

about the value of homework. Some critics of homework determine that not all student

will go home and experience a quiet also supportive study environment, and thus of it

have little chance of being successful with out of homework, (Learned, 1977).

Still others point out that, homework may contribute significantly to student’s negative

attitudes towards school, particularly if it is source of conflict between students’ and

parents or it s linked to punishment and other consequences at school, (Black, 1996).

Beside that, with the increase in nonacademic commitments and pressures placed on

students, researches of the last century have begun to explore not only the advantage of

homework, but also the associated disadvantages. So, as educators, it is our

responsibility to be aware of the literature that is available and to integrate the finding

into our own curriculum and homework policies.



1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENTS

In this century, our education system implement student involvement at school not only

focused on learning process in classroom but also others activities such as uniform unit,

sports, club and society that most of the time need commitment from them. Many

schools have been establish this outdoor activities to be establish as compulsory for co –

curriculum evaluations. Other than that, students are faced with the problem of balancing

outside activities, homework completing and personal choice activities. As we could to

define, too often the non – academics activity such as watching television or movie,

surfing internet and hanging out with friends at shopping complex become the priority to

them. It is the biggest influence that causing homework or any learning activities often

neglected choice.

Beside that, there also become a problem, if in a short period of time, students need to

complete a lot of homework that come with different structure. Assigning an overload of

homework may also cause the students to miss out on valuable leisure time and other

community activities which may important for personal, spiritual, moral and social

development. Sometimes too much homework to complete in certain time, students are

more likely to cheat among them when placed under a great deal of pressure. For

example, when students are repeatedly presented with busy work, they may reach a

point of satiation indicated by signs of fatigue and loss interest in the material. For our

information, an activity can only be rewarding for so long. If students are required to

spend much time on academic material, they are bound to grow bored with it.

Towards concerning the issue of homework, even simple matters could be the factor

liked teacher failed to clarify direction and be certain that students understood the

homework fully and accurately. When it occurs, students at the times incorrectly

identified homework to be completed with or without accompanying directions. Lack of

clarify and insufficient comprehension of the purpose and direction of homework were

two causes of students failure or inability to complete a homework. Among that, some

teachers assign homework based on their own need for curriculum coverage. Teacher

directed attention to the quantity of homework assigned, syllabus that need to complete,

chapter or topic outline that need to follow and the notes that need to finish. All of this, as

soon as possible, it will become the point of diminishing returns and student’s feedback.



1.3. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Research objectives are my guideline to be focus on the specific goals that I am

planning to achieve through this paper. The objectives of this seminar paper are:

1.3.1 First, identify the effective ways to increase student’s achievement, either by

using the implementing of homework or other ways such as internet literature. In

terms of, to find out how will be homework affected on helping students to

achieve better at the future. With the purpose of homework, types of homework

and the amount will be spend on completing homework, we will able to identify

either there are any effect of homework towards student’s achievement

especially in academic.

1.3.2 Second, determine the types of homework that will be attract student to have interest to done it. There are many types of homework with different

purpose such as practice, preparation and extension. By this seminar paper, we

need to determine which types will the best to help student in their learning

process. As we know, students in this era will be attractive more with something

that able to give them feel enjoy and excited to do it. So, by this seminar paper

we need to define the ways to construct the homework types that suitable with

students need and interest.

1.3.3 Third, establish the roles of teacher and parents on helping students with their homework. It was include the strategies, approach and motivation that

teacher could to provide at school and by parents when their at home. In

implementing homework, to get involvement from parents and teachers also

important to establish it.

1.3.4 Fourth, develop the importance of homework for student. The benefits that

get from completing homework either it is in academic or non – academic

achievement such as behavior, personality and attitude. This to be a motivation

for students to be consistent in completing homework as part of learning and to

make them realize how homework will affect their lifestyle to be better soon.



1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research question is based on the objective, which I need to achieve. It is also as

guideline to gather information from the literature review. The important of research

question is as the signpost to make the reader will not lose throughout this seminar

paper. Below was the several question regarding the topic discuss:

1.4.1 What types of homework assigned are effective? This question refer to the types of homework that have been expose by the

researcher before to related it with the suitability of student need, especially in

this globalization era through the competitive surrounding.

1.4.2 How much time should student spend on homework?This question is purpose to define the amount of homework that should student

spend on completing their homework. And to determine either homework should

combine with revision process or need to separate the time for both of it.

1.4.3 Why do teacher assign homework and does it improve academic achievement?It is referring to the reason of teacher will assigned homework to students in

every lesson and the effect that will be gained from the implementing of

homework for students academic achievements.

1.4.4 How useful of homework?In general, the benefit of homework will be for academic practice; however some

researcher believes it has other advantage. So, this question referring on the

perception in different situations.

1.4.5 What the roles of teacher and parents on helping their children’s homework?Teacher and parents involvement in students’ learning seems to be important.

So, the roles of them mostly towards strategies, approaches and the motivation

skills that will be increase students self – actualization in learning process.



1.5. SIGNIFICANCES OF THE RESEARCH

The significance of this seminar paper has been focusing on providing guideline for

teachers, parents and students such as an involvement with teaching and learning

process at classroom. While for parents, to enhance their relationship towards a good

communication at home and keep on track their children schoolwork. As the significance

for student, are many either influence directly or indirectly. Below is my significance for

this seminar paper:

1.5.1 First, to identify the benefits of homework towards students learning process at home. Some students using homework as one ways of learning or revision at home, it

make their often neglected the truth learning process. So, with this research student able

to compare either need to combine learning and homework or separate both of it in

different time, space and strategies to experience full benefit from it.

1.5.2 Second, to identify the types of homework that suitable for students’ different ability. The standard of homework will be differentiating by student’s level, ability, age

and environment at home. This refer to Primary VS Secondary, fast learner VS slow

learner, normal students VS disability students, child VS adult and high income family

VS low income family. Different situations, experience and facilities will result for

different suitability of homework types.

1.5.3 Third, to improve students’ personal development by using homework. Homework

effect to student’s personal development indirectly towards student’s personality, attitude

and skills in life such as time management skills, organization skills and prioritizations.

According it, student will be able to increase their self – actualizations, self – confidence

and self – esteem as important part in teaching and learning process.

1.5.4 Fourth, to determine many approaches to motivate student to complete homework. In motivation, the first step will be by fulfilling student’s needs in learning process such

as interesting, enjoying and exciting. To provide all the elements that suitable with them,

we need to attract parental involvement, whose mostly understand their children well

than others. The best ways is when parents able to co – operate with teacher to solve it.



1.6 THEORETICALS PERSPECTIVE

1.6.1 TIPS (Teacher Involve Parents in Schoolwork)

It is specific theory that implements a particular method that has been exposing for

encouraging the optimal parental involvement in their children homework. TIPS (Teacher

Involve Parents In Schoolwork) as a learning theory have been include an interactive

and mostly effective homework process to help teacher, parents and student to co –

operate in developing homework activity to be more suitable to enhance learning

process and achieve the vision and mission of education system. This theory was

designed by researchers at John Hopkins University and teacher in Maryland, Virginia

and the District of Columbia to meet parents’ and teachers’ need.

TIPS interactive homework involves students in demonstrating or discussing homework

wit a family member. Parents are asked to monitor, interact and support their children.

They are not required to read or direct the student’s homework because that is students’

responsibility. Instead, student might explain something they learned in class or

interview an adult about the past. All TIPS homework has a section for home – school

communication where parents indicate their reaction with the student about the

homework.

The goals of the TIPS process are for the relationship between homework and others,

such as parents, teacher, school and learning environment. With the establishment of

this theory’s specific methodology, the benefit that gained from it will be exposing the

student’s achievement either in academic rewards or personal development. The benefit

of TIPS is first by help parents to gain knowledge about their children’s schoolwork.

Second, for student gained mastery in academic subjects, by enhancing school lesson

at home. Third, the educator or teachers will have an understanding of the parental

contribution to student learning. With this framework, we will able to co – related the

relationship that built between homework and its process of developing student’s

achievement.



1.6.2 Behavioral Theory by Skinner (1954)

The theory of B.F. Skinner is based upon the idea that learning is a function of change in

overt behavior. Changes in behavior are the result of an individual's response to events

(stimuli) that occur in the environment. A response produces a consequence such as

defining a word, hitting a ball, or solving a math problem. When a particular Stimulus-

Response (S-R) pattern is reinforced (rewarded), the individual is conditioned to

respond. The distinctive characteristic of operant conditioning relative to previous forms

of behaviorism is that the organism can affect responses instead of only eliciting

response due to an external stimulus. Reinforcement is the key element in Skinner's S-R

theory. A reinforcer is anything that strengthens the desired response. It could be verbal

praise, a good grade or a feeling of increased accomplishment or satisfaction. The

theory also covers negative reinforcers any stimulus that results in the increased

frequency of a response when it is withdrawn (different from adversive stimuli

punishment which result in reduced responses). A great deal of attention was given to

schedules of reinforcement and their effects on establishing and maintaining behavior.

Skinner, and Stimulus-Response (S-R) adherents, believed that behaviorist theory could

be used to infer a learning history. They held that one could take an animal or person,

observe its/his/her behavior, and figure out what had been reinforced previously.

Behaviorist reduced all responses to associations, to a pattern of positive and negative

reinforcement that establishes links between stimuli and their environmental antecedents

and consequences. Responses that were reinforced would be repeated, and those that

were punished would not. Skinner popular with the operant Conditioning theory,

especially in one teaching pedagogy that implement by Skinner on 1968, focusing on

sequence of exercise in a framework of Question (stimulus) and Answer (respond) as

known as Q & A. The purpose of this framework is to expose student with subject

content or syllabus step by step. It is also to make sure students able to respond for

every framework and receive feedback as soon as possible. Every question that given,

to students either as part of exercise or homework need to be organize and according to

its difficulties level. This theory have been explained that homework assign to students

as one learning strategies that suitable with the characteristic on Behavioral Theory.



2.0 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 LITERATURES REVIEW

In completing my Seminar Paper, I have been choosing several journals and article that

related to my topic known as “The Homework Effect on Student Achievement” in terms

the roles of teachers, parents and students. The ranges of years that I am focusing with

are around 1998 until 2009. There are many researches that being held by educator and

providing information that I need for my topic as titled before. Below are the list of journal

and articles with the references of its title, writer and the publishing years:

2.1.1 The Homework Dilemma: How Much Should Parents Get Involved? by Sharon Cromwell. (1998)

2.1.2 Duke Study(1999): Homework Helps Students Succeed in School, As Long as

There isn’t Too Much

2.1.3 Homework: Amounts, Effects, Help for Students and Parents by Nancy McIntyre.(2001)

2.1.3 Homework: re-examining the routine by Sarah North and Hannah Pillay (2002)

2.1.5 A Strategy for Getting Students to Do Their Homework by William Peirce. (2003)

2.1.6 Persepsi Pelajar terhadap Amalan Kerja Rumah sebagai Strategi Pembelajaran

di Sekolah Menengah by Mazulina Binti Saad (2004). Universiti Teknologi

Malaysia

2.1.7 The Importance of Homework Beyond Education by Allen Teal (2009)



2.2 WHAT IS HOMEWORK?

When we discussing about homework, many issue will be appear in our mind such as

how we need to complete the homework that have been assigned?, is there anyone

could help us to complete those homework?, why we need to done homework?, or will

homework help us to achieve anything?. Actually before all of those questions appear in

mind, we should to understand what is the meaning of homework? Then, by exploring

the meaning of homework, we will able to reached to other part of homework that is

important to know such as advantage or disadvantage, the people that involve with it

and their roles also the types of homework (quality, quantity, time spend, material,

reason and feedback).

The meaning of homework could to define in many ways, which identification will come

with different explanation but still in the same meaning. As we know, different people will

come out with different ideas or perspective. Mostly, an individual perception towards

homework are based their experience and knowledge about it. For example, homework

definition by Laconte, 1981, the out of class task that assigned as an extension of

classroom work. The definition by Laconte, 1981 quite same with other researcher

called Cooper, 1989 as the meaning homework term is task assigned to student by

school teachers that are meant to be carried out during non-school hours. Both of the

researchers also mention about the purpose of homework that regarding to its type such

as practice, preparations and extension.

While, for Kralovec and Buell, 2001, homework is referred as a “black hole in learning

process, leaving teachers unaware of each student’s true educational level or progress

and unable to scaffold new knowledge for the students”. They go on state that with an

increase of pressure placed on teachers to improve result for their students; too much of

the teaching is being left to the parents. Understanding students mistake become crucial

part of the teaching process, when work gets done at home, teacher have little

understanding of the mistakes that students have made on the material and little control

over who does the work.

By conclude the perspective by other researcher; we could to define homework as

specific work assigned to a child so as to perform at home within the given timeframe,



either in oral or written form. Although, it is much despised by students, homework still is

an essential part of an academic career that also called “legalized criminality”.

In generally, homework can be assigned for instructional purpose and non - instructional

purpose, where both of it can be further subdivided. Instructional homework is generally

assigned for one of four purposes. First, practice homework, the most common type as

assigned to reinforce material presented in classroom and to help student master

individual skills. Second, preparation homework, as assigned to introduce students to

material the teacher will present in the future. Third, extension homework, which asks

students to apply previously, learned skills to different context. Fourth, integration

homework that requires students to produce a product such as a social studies project

by applying multiple skills.

The second level of homework, non – instructional homework, also includes three

subcategories (Epstein and Van Voorhis, 2001). First, homework assigned for personal

development is intended to help students improve behavioral skills, such as time

management or self – confidence. Second, homework assigned to improve

communication between parents and their children is identified as parent – child

relations homework, such as developing as family tree. Third, peer interaction homework

is assigned to more than one student in an effort to build and develop team – working

skills.

Little or no research has been conducted on the effects of non - instructional homework.

However, as mentioned earlier, homework assigned to younger students may have its

main effects on nonacademic outcomes, and teachers may be assigning young

student’s homework for non - instructional purposes. The literature on types of

homework is generally restricted to descriptions of the purpose of each type and how

often homework of that type is assigned in the classroom.



2.3 THE ADVANTAGES OF HOMEWORK

2.3.1 Student’s personal development

The advantage of homework towards students achievement able to seen in many

different way. One of it is when the implementing of homework gives the benefit to

students towards improving their personal development, in terms of attitude, personality

and behavior. By completing all of the homework assigned to students, their will be able

to increase a greater self - direction and self – discipline. This because during the

process to done the homework, students need to know the direction on providing answer

for the certain question independently even without the clear direction. While for the

increasing of self discipline, it is influence by the timeframe that their need to follow.

When student able to construct the homework activity with the correct timeline, it will be

the prove that the students able to discipline themselves in learning process.

The improvement in discipline also shows that the homework processes such a good

teaching tool to teach better time organization skills. Especially, when students able to

construct their schedule by balancing outdoor activities, personal choice activities and

homework. Beside that, students able to learn on how to manage their activity by using

prioritization by leveling all task from very important level until less important ones. In

general, better time organization will make an individual to become more punctual with

every activity that occurs in life. Punctuality is still the best policy to manage our life, so

the problems that comes able to solve and could to avoid miserable situations.

Among that, homework allows students to practice skills learned in school with their own

autonomous engagement outside the classroom. As there is a limited amount of time in

each school day, students are forced to accept the educational contract that they must

out in effort both in and outside of school to master all of the required material. Their also

become more independently towards problem solving. Other that it, students will more

inquisitiveness towards their surrounding; this is because by homework that allows

students to more thoroughly learn and understand the material instructed. Furthermore,

actively engaging in homework teaches students how to become advocates for their own

learning, as their can engage in an inquiry – based of asking questions and seeking out

more answers and discoveries.



2.3.2 Student’s Academic Achievement

On the other hand, many argues that homework serves a number of purposes and can

benefit student s when use appropriately such as homework could increase student

academic achievement as better retention of factual knowledge will be gained. This is

towards the given a chance for students to review and practice what they have been

learned as to prepared them for the next day’s lesson when started with new topic.

Homework also increased understanding about the certain matter or problem that finds

through the certain topic, it is because when completing homework student are force use

the provide opportunities to identify and learn to use resources, such as library, the

internet, references books and other community resources.

Beside that, homework also able to encourage learning during leisure time, as we know

after school hour suppose students free or leisure time but with the implement of

homework students will be establish it with spend their time with learning new

knowledge. So, even if at the certain time their do not have any homework, their still

provide time to learn. This could to reflect on the improvement in student personality that

is to have better study habits and skills.

2.3.3 Experience

While on the fact of give an experience to students, the homework have been play the

roles of establish better critical thinking, concept formation and information processing.

Those skills will be benefit student when enter to the working field, because with the

skills and ability that enhance will help to solving the problem that occur at the future

easily. Nowadays, to be apart in economic development as well as to get working

opportunities, to have an experience will become an advance to enter any company.

However fresh graduates also have their chance, if have skills such as have critical

thinking to solve problem and able to suit themselves in any situations will be count,

that’s why experience in working individually towards homework will provide possibility.

More on it, by homework also will help student to enrich the curriculum. It is cold be seen

when the involvement of homework I learning process could to born a new generation

that will be important to a development country such as Malaysia to keep better progress

and as an effort to be at the same level with the other successful country in the world.



2.4 THE DISADVANTAGES OF HOMEWORK

2.4.1 Mentally Distraction (Pressure)

Towards the progressing of implementing homework, especially on assigning too many

or overload homework for students per day, the influence from it not only comes as the

advantage but also including the hidden disadvantage that without an appropriate

attention on it will become the problem. For example, some students may able to

complete the any amount of homework as teacher wish, but we also need to understand

that not all students have the same ability in learning. So, the overload of homework will

be giving mentally distraction to students that come with low ability in learning process.

Student will become pressure to complete and perform the task well, because in the

most time their need to use thinking process and give full effort on homework until their

feel learning is not an interesting activity already. Beside that, their always confusion

with the instructional technique, this is because effected from their low ability, students

will need more time before could to understand the knowledge that have been transfer.

2.4.2 Plagiarism Activity

For some students, a lot of homework can seem irrelevant. Other that that, students in

this century will do homework when it must be done to pass the class or subject,

anything else is a waste of time and feeds into the vicious circle beating the homework

system. More worse on it, the homework that assigned seems to be nothing in their

priority and their more choose to cheating on it without an effort to try do it also be more

responsible to complete the homework as schedule. For example, if today classes there

have some exercise given unable to complete because time is limited, so it become as

students homework. However, what become curious in mind, their only able to complete

it when their reached at school the other day and started copying from others. All of this

resulted to the negative impact of homework towards student’s personal development,

as their more apply plagiarism in life. If this situation unable to get rid off, our students

will become, someone that not even able to believe themselves capable to do anything

useful, they also impossible to work either individually or in group, because they do not

have any confidence to make an evaluation towards everything.



2.4.3 Student’s Lifestyle

The overload of homework assigned to students also can diminish the amount of time a

child can spend on the others activities such as sports, family time, leisure and other

enjoyable yet beneficial opportunities. Homework swamp a child, it could making them

very overwhelmed. Some of the negative element that also increases on it such as

stress depression anxiety and other negative psychological effect can result. As we

know, whenever homework crowds out social experience, outdoor recreation and

creative activities and adolescents. It is the rare schools that respect the value of those

activities, as to the point of making sure that its policies are informed by that respect.

However, some courageous teachers and innovative schools are taking up the

challenge.

At the same effect, homework also influences the disadvantage on increasing

differences between low and higher achiever. It could to prove by the ability of students

and the percentage of their consistent on submitting homework as schedule or may early

from the time given. In certain class, we cold to fine that, in most of the time the girl’s

students will become the higher achiever than the boys. But its does not means boys

students do not improve at all, they able to increase achievement if they put more effort

on it. With the increasing of differences of low and high achiever, it will also show many

other differences in class such as different of gender, background status and lifestyle.

And all of the differences become worse because there are too many possibilities that

their will not able to co – operate as one team and will be too choosy in making friends.

Sometimes, the differences that occur among them, also able to build a seriously

argument, that will continue into harsh action towards each others.



2.5 THE ROLES OF TEACHER, PARENTS AND STUDENT

2.5.1 TEACHER

StrategiesWhen teacher ensures that student homework will consolidate skills that have been

taught previously taught, the teacher is providing student with practice extending and

applying those skills to new situations by asking students to make a connection with the

previous lesson. Teacher also can provide students with these opportunities by providing

them with the homework that requires students to think critically and apply strategies in

order for the work to be solved. Other that that, teacher also need to know how to make

sure that student homework results in low students error by directly aligned with the

objective that introduce that day. Homework is not the right place to introduce new

content or skills. Among it, teacher need to have management strategy for correcting

homework for maximum the management in the classroom.

ApproachesIt is important for teacher to give a clear direction regarding the homework assigned.

This is because homework is an independently activity that student need to complete it

at home, so without accurate direction students will lose their confident to done it.

Teacher also need to co – operate with parents, to keep on track student’s progress on

homework and to have a clear understanding towards student’s historical background

also abilities.

MotivationActually, most perspective on homework that argue that its teacher responsible to create

interesting homework and attract students to have higher motivation to complete it.

Sometimes, during explaining students on the right direction of certain homework, its

also help by tell the students the purpose and the importance of doing homework. So,

with it, students able to realize the significance from spending time with homework.

Another aspect that important is we as an educator should feel free to support them on

anytime at school.



2.5.2 PARENTS

StrategiesThe first step in creating a positive homework pathway for your child is by primarily

creating a routine. This may means that parents may have to compromise with their

children on the working conditions for homework time by set time and place. Beside that,

parents may need to create a homework calendar that both parent and students can

clearly access and see. This may help students learn how to plan ahead and create a

schedule at the future. Most powerful strategy, for many children, a “learning space” that

is specifically set aside for homework, can allow them to mentally enter into a “school

mode” when they are at home. Parents also need to create free space for a child to

complete assignments without disruptions or distractions.

ApproachesAt home, parents able to help students to set up time line for task per day, by make a list

of everything that must be done and then number each task in order to prioritize the

academic responsibilities. Among that, the use of report card and progress report,

parents able to discuss with their children’s teacher on student the best way to progress

by increasing consistency in academic. At the most time at home, when children seem to

be overwhelmed, parents could to offer support by simply helping their children study.

The simple act of giving a child attention during difficult tasks can boost a child’s morale

effort.

MotivationParents must immediately require their children’s personal accountability for homework.

Their have the clear rules about writing down homework in the notebook and

remembering to prepare all student need on completing homework, then the establish

consequences should be enforce. Sometime, on homework activity as learning process,

students will need some free space, so as parents, should to allow freedom when

earned and believe that student sable to solve everything. However, parents need to be

ready at whole time on able to encourage and support their children and let them feel

that their not leave alone or neglected in every moment.



2.5.3 STUDENTS

StrategiesWhile doing homework, it’s important to rid off all of distraction and any disturbance that

able to lose students focused. Students need to arrange their time and make sure that

homework will be done before go to play and get exhausted. Comfortable place also

help to maintain focus during learning. Other that that, students prohibited not allow to

give up towards certain topic or question without try to solve it. Sometime, for certain

students, music can help to increase their mood for learning more and will feel that

learning is an activity that able to enjoy with.

ApproachesIn learning process, the attitude that needs to ignore is shy. Whenever, students have

any difficulties ask your teacher at school either during in class or after class or anytime

that suitable to go and get more explanation towards the confusion that occur. If, unable

to have more guidance from teacher, try to ask parents to help with the homework.

However, the parent’s knowledge sometimes limited, so as the other approaches that

suitable is ask your friends that you believe able to stick to homework as in a group

discussions.

MotivationAs motivations to students, we should to realize that homework will influence us in many

parts such as personality, ability and lifestyle. Other than that, by establish homework

students will get a better career that implement from the best result that we get as we

responsible to all learning activities. We also become a responsible person that will be

increase others believe to give the biggest responsibility to hold at the future.



2.6 TYPES OF HOMEWORK

2.6.1 The Amount of Homework Assign. (Quality VS Quantity)

Teachers should devote energy to creating homework that is stimulating and provocative

rather than banal. While as parents or mentors should go shoulder-to-shoulder with

youngsters, helping to motivate them, thinking of ways in which to help them without

giving the answer, and being aware of the child's special gifts and weaknesses. It

sounds great, but you need parent input for kids to perform, and with the increase in

single-parent families, there's no one at home to help. It isn't that the kids don't want to

do homework; the majority of my students don't have the skills to go home and do it

independently. Even young students are not getting the help at home that they used to.

As long as homework levels are maintained at a reasonable level, and teachers in

different subject areas carefully coordinate homework assignments to avoid overloading

students, an hour of assigned homework appears to be about as effective as an hour

spent in the classroom. Currently, the prevailing feeling is that students need homework

to stay competitive in the global market that the extra work and responsibility give kids

an edge. There is a problem, though, if family time is minimized and children no longer

have time to play or if students don't graduate because of failing homework grades.

Experts suggest approximately ten minutes of homework a night, starting in first grade,

with an additional ten minutes each year. They also stress, however, the importance of

teachers' addressing the issue of assignment quality.

Before assigning homework, one needs to have clear goals, share those goals with

children and parents, and make sure that those goals are being achieved. Otherwise

homework is an idle exercise. So the experts agree that Homework can have a positive

effect on achievement as children grow older. Despite the experts' stress on monitoring

the quality and quantity of homework, many students are left trying to cope with a huge,

often boring, homework load.



2.6.2 The Time Spend to Complete Homework

As differentiate by student ability, age, standard level and other factors such as the

difficulties level of homework, the time spend to complete homework will be also

different. It is because we need to suit the time with students comfortable and the

effectiveness on doing at the range of time schedule. For example, even students spend

more time on completing homework and at the end of their still not finish with, it is just

waste of time. Other situations might be the difficulties of homework just average but

student spend more time also not an effective way.

On measuring the time should allocate for the homework, we should to focus on

suitability and flexibility between the student’s ability and the difficulties of homework. It

is because certain students able to complete the homework easily but some of them are

not and need more time to spend. Many researchers investigate about how much will be

effective to done homework and the result from it has been shown below and divide

based on student school level. Some opinion refers that, students should to spend time

for doing homework and revision separately to get totally benefit in experience learning.]

The types of homework are further classified by the amount of homework assigned,

which includes both frequency, or how often homework is assigned, and length of

completion, or time involved to complete homework. a later study conducted by Cooper

and colleagues differentiated between the amount of homework assigned by the teacher

and the amount that students completed (Cooper et al. 1998). Interestingly, the amount

of homework assigned by teachers was typically unrelated to student achievement; yet,

as in his earlier findings, student reports of the amount of homework completed were

positively associated with student achievement. This schedule only generally

implements and could to changes by time and possible situations occurs:

PRIMARY SCHOOLS = 1 – 3 : 20 minutes per day/night

4 – 6 : 20 to 40 minutes per day/night

SECONDARY SCHOOLS = 1 – 3 : 2 hours per day/night

4 – 6 : 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours per day/night



2.6.3 Reasons for Giving Homework

There are many reason of assigning homework, which is in purpose to implement the

learning process with actively involvement by school, teacher, parents and students. The

involvement of them is towards providing the suitable activity in learning and helping

student increase their achievement especially in academic. By it also the development of

homework will be enforce as well as needs. Below are the lists of reason:

Teacher To give the teacher feedback on student’s strength and weaknesses.

To complete work started in class.

To provide preparation for the next lesson.

To enable the teacher to complete the syllabus.

To provide evidence of the teacher’s diligence or hard work.

To punish students for poor work in class.

Students To practice what has just been learnt.

To provide more individualizes programmed of learning.

To apply recent learning in creative ways.

To motivate students to pay attention in class.

School To meet school requirement on record keeping.

To provide a record of marks.

To meet society’s expectations of what a teacher should do.

Parents To provide information to parents on students progress.

To involve parents in teaching and learning process.

2.6.4 Materials Used for Homework



The material that use for assigning homework will be different in every subject, for

example in core subject the material use should be book or any written material but it will

be sometime different with some of elective subject such as chemistry, biology, science,

physic and IT, will need to have a specific tool to complete the homework especially

during held experimental session. Other than that, vocational subjects such Seni Reka

Tanda (SRT), Kemahiran Hidup (KH) and Landscape (LN) will need concrete material to

complete their project that assigned as homework. Actually, the types of material will

provide influence towards homework implementation for student’s achievement. There

are several types of material use for homework:

Your Own WorksheetThis type of material that need a teacher to provide the homework refer to the notes and

teacher construct homework from it, either in form of questions or in a list of topic given

that need elaborates more. These materials keep the originality of homework assigned.

The Prescribed TextbookThis material provide by the Ministry of Education that provide a guideline on syllabus

and the curriculum that need to implement in class. The content of textbook will be

including some note of the topic and a few exercises that establish the lesson learnt.

Commercial BooksThe workbook that publishes in the market, those follow the curriculum standard. Some

school will be selected the publisher that their trust and feel suitable for students. Some

of the publisher name such as PELANGI and SASBADI.

Others Teacher WorksheetThis refer to the worksheet that provide by others teacher for their class and the topic

have been implement same with other teacher also would like to share to their class.

2.6.5 Types of Feedback on Homework



The teacher's response to homework assignments is occasionally reported as a factor

influencing the impact of homework on achievement or other outcomes. According to

Cooper (1989a), teachers can provide four types of feedback such as letter grades that

evaluate students' performance on the homework, a review of the homework that

provides students with ways to improve their work, verbal or written praise or criticism

and nonverbal incentives, such as extra recess. Feedback from teacher regarding

student’s homework will be shown teacher’s respond towards student’s effort in learning,

for it as a teacher should to appreciate them even in simple ways to let them feel that the

teacher paying attention on them.

An experimental study conducted by Murphy and Decker (1989) revealed that the

majority of teachers (approximately three-quarters of them) check and grade homework.

Although this study did not examine the impact of such feedback on student

achievement, the results could indicate the level of importance teachers place on

homework, which may indirectly influence the rate at which students complete it. Several

other studies examining teacher feedback have focused on its effects on student

achievement. Teacher feedback measures found no significant impact on student

achievement from the type of feedback provided by teachers. While the use of incentives

has been shown to increase homework completion rates, most such studies have

focused on learning disabled students in math classes and failed to examine the effects

of teacher feedback on other groups of students or in other content areas.

In general, there are a few ways of giving feedback towards student’s works either in

class or out of the class. By giving homework or exercise in teaching and learning

process, teacher will respond in many ways such as indicating mistake or correction,

giving overall comments to the class, giving a grade or marks, providing extra practice in

class, re – teaching or revising in class, proving more practice homework, proving model

answer, displaying student’s work, getting student’s to mark each other’s work, asking

students to read homework to the class and getting students to mark their own work.


2.7 SUITABILITY OF HOMEWORK

2.7.1 Student’s Age

Although the overall effects of homework on student achievement are inconclusive,

studies involving students at different grade levels suggest that homework may be more

effective for older students than for younger ones. The researchers found that older

students spent more time studying harder items and performed better than the younger

students. This may be because younger children are less able than older children to

ignore irrelevant information or stimulation in their environment. In addition, younger

children have less effective study habits because of their inability to focus and avoid

distraction. Other studies provide similar results, that is examined the association

between how much time students spend on homework and what grades they receive.

The results showed a positive association between the amount of homework and

students' grades for children. These findings contribute to the body of research claiming

that homework may be detrimental to younger students.

Students' social and cognitive abilities—such as their inability to focus adequately—may

moderate the effect of homework on achievement. Age, then, is but one of the factors

that need to be taken into account when assessing the association between homework

and student learning. Muhlenbruck and colleagues (2000) provide a direct examination

of the link between homework, grade level, and achievement. Their study, which

addressed several concerns regarding the possible effects of students' age, yielded

these findings.

The amount of homework increases as student’s age.

Homework may serve different purposes at the elementary and secondary levels.

Teachers do not give students more help if they have trouble with homework.

Lower-achieving students may take more time than higher-achieving students to

finish assignments.

2.7.2 Student’s Ability

As we able to define that, students comes with many differences, as one of it is the

different in terms of ability. In discussing about student’s ability, we need to refer to the

cognitive development, mentally, physically and emotional conditions. The entire

element has been related to each other to construct thinking process in our mind. It is

important to assigned the homework based on the student’s ability, so as the better

ways is by balancing the homework as suitable for all students.

If refer to the suitability of the homework, will determine that lower achieving students

may take more time than higher achieving students to complete homework per day.

Some opinion explain this situation as the progressive of their mind are not actively

respond or might be the stimulus that given do not process in deeply. This also prove by

the theory of Nature Vs Nurture, that is the development of individual mentally process

through two different ways either naturally form their genetic or as need to nurture by

learning process.

2.7.3 Student’s Environment

This refers to the wide variety of home life situation which students experienced.

Whereas, one child may have a warm meal waiting for them and quiet area in which to

complete homework, while another student in a hurries go home to cook dinner and take

care their siblings and has only a little time to complete the assignment. In some home,

there is a lack of value placed on academic and the importance of homework is not

reinforced. Some other result that, students at private school implementing homework

more than students at public school per week. The student’s environment also influence

by the status of their family historical background such as financial, social and genetic.

Among that, the influence by their friends also become the bigger factor on neglecting

homework or other learning material to waste their time with something that not even

give them any benefit for their future. Sometimes, even they intense to make the study

group with close friends, it will not working because when their meet they have another

agenda. However, not all students will involve in such kind of situation, there are also

that not have time to do homework because their have part – time job that exhausted.

3.0 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1.1 Establish Homework Policy

As a new environment in our education system, there is several improvements that able

to establish as well as to enhance the education credibility. On of it is that each primary,

secondary and tertiary education should instill a homework policy that addresses the

needs of its students and the community as a whole. It will be emphasizes the need for

policies characterized by clarity that, at the same time, allow for communication and

flexibility. According to Copper, 1994, there have strong guidelines for increasing the

clarity of homework assignment and controlling homework load, especially for students

with a different teacher for each subject.

The frequency and duration of homework should be further specified to reflect local

school and community circumstances. In school where different subjects are taught by

different teachers, as teachers should know what day of the week are available to them

for homework and how much daily homework time spent on their subject. Based on it

too, school administrator involve to communicate with the district and school homework

policies to parents, always monitor the implementation of the policy and coordinate the

scheduling of homework among different subject.

Through it, teacher should to clearly stated, how the homework is relate to the topic

under study, the purpose o the homework, how the assignment might best be carried out

and what the students must do to demonstrate the homework has been completed. The

homework policies also need to further defining the amount of homework each students

should be doing. The amount and the type of homework students should do depends on

their developmental level and the quality of their support at home.

3.1.2 Develop the using of TIPS (Teacher Involves Parents in Schoolwork) in

implementing homework effectiveness by applying such involvement in skills workshop

liked in "How to Make Parents Your Homework Partners," Judy Dodge suggests that

teachers begin giving parent workshops to provide practical tips for "winning the

homework battle." At the workshop, teachers should focus on three key study skills:

Organizational skills -- Help put students in control of work and to feel sure that they

can master what they need to learn and do. Parents can, for example, help students find

a "steady study spot" with the materials they need at hand.

Time-management skills -- Enable students to complete work without feeling too much

pressure and to have free time. By working with students to set a definite study time, for

example, parents can help with time management.

Active study strategies -- Help students to achieve better outcomes from studying.

Parents suggest, for instance, that students write questions they think will be on a test

and then recite their answers out loud.

3.2 CONCLUSIONS

3.2.1 The link between homework and student achievement is far from clear. There is no

conclusive evidence that homework increases student achievement across the board.

Some studies show positive effects of homework under certain conditions and for certain

students, some show no effects, and some suggest negative effects.

3.2.2 Homework appears to have more positive effects for certain groups of students. Older

students benefit more from homework than younger students. Some studies have shown

that older students gain more academic benefits from homework than do younger

students, perhaps because younger students have less-effective study habits and are

more easily distracted.

3.2.3 Students from low-income homes may not benefit as much from homework as those

from higher-income homes. Some researchers believe that students from higher-income

homes have more resources (such as computers) and receive more assistance with

homework, while low-income students may have fewer resources and less assistance

and are therefore less likely to complete the homework and reap any related benefits.

3.2.4 Homework may have nonacademic benefits. Certain nonacademic benefits of homework

have been shown, especially for younger students. Indeed, some primary-level teachers

may assign homework for such benefits, which include learning the importance of

responsibility, managing time, developing study habits, and staying with a task until it is

completed.

3.2.5 After-school programs that provide homework assistance may improve student behavior,

motivation, and work habits but not necessarily academic achievement. Studies of after-

school programs that provide homework assistance have found few definite links to

improved student achievement.

3.3. REFERENCES

3.3.1 Journal and Article

Duke Study(1999): Homework Helps Students Succeed in School, As Long as

There isn’t Too Much

Homework: Amounts, Effects, Help for Students and Parents by Nancy McIntyre.(2001)

Homework: re-examining the routine by Sarah North and Hannah Pillay (2002)

A Strategy for Getting Students to Do Their Homework by William Peirce. (2003)

Persepsi Pelajar terhadap Amalan Kerja Rumah sebagai Strategi Pembelajaran di

Sekolah Menengah by Mazulina Binti Saad (2004). Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The Importance of Homework Beyond Education by Allen Teal (2009

3.3.2 Online Resources

http://www.res.org.uk/econometrics/pdfs/onlineaccepted/08000e.pdf

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/MI_MONCQM/IS_3_43/ai)n6361599

http://www.hijahmdia.com/proto/diz/artikel/teachers.php

http://www.hijahmdia.com/proto/diz/artikel/teachers.php

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/MI_MONCQM/IS_3_43/ai)n6361599

http://www.res.org.uk/econometrics/pdfs/onlineaccepted/08000e.pdf

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