A new study from the Canadian Council on learning reveals the mixed blessings of one thing many of us dreaded in school— homework.
Research Analyst Isabelle Eaton of the Canadian Council on Learning discussed a study the organization has done on homework, based on studies done in the US and Europe.
It’s called Lessons in Learning; Homework Helps…But Not Always.
Key findings include that homework demands active engagement from the student doing it, including strategization.
Research Analyst Isabelle Eaton says that type of homework tends to contribute more positively to learning than tasks that are based on rote repetition.
Eaton says the study shows homework tends to benefit older students better than younger students and that the amount of homework assigned has to be appropriate and based on what has been taught in the classroom.
Eaton says 10 minutes of homework is what should be assigned per grade number each day.
For example, a grade eight student should have no more than 80 minutes of homework each night.
Eaton says not doing any homework in the lower grades could actually benefit students, but the evidence is clear that it helps learning in the higher grades.
She says the homework assigned should be of good quality and easy for students to do with the resources they have at home.
Eaton says the Council hopes teachers, school administrators, and parents consult the study.
The complete findings of the study are available on the Canadian Council on Learning’s website @ www.ccl-cca.ca