What's the benefit of homework?

I was helping one of my older school kids (grade 6) with homework this afternoon. She was doing her tables and other math and pages of a math 'text' book. Thing is, she is very bad at math, she was looking back a previous pages to get the answers. She can't help that she's bad at math, but who marks her work? The previous pages have alot of incorrect answers, so she is just copying the wrong thing all the time. She says they mark them themselves - the teacher reads out the answers and they mark if they are wrong or right, but nothing is corrected. She also says neither parent helps or checks her homework.

What's the benefit of it then? If the teacher doesn't check and have an idea of where she needs help, and she's just learning the wrong thing over and over again, then she may as well not do it at all really.

Please help me understand the point, perhaps this is just a bad teacher and this isn't normal, or perhaps there is some benefit I am missing....

Alfie Kohn has a really interesting perspective on homework, if you'd like to google it :)

Homework has the following benefits, when done properly:

Promotes independent work
Promotes independent research
Enables parents to talk about schoolwork with children

Self-marking of work allows:
Teacher-time freed up to plan more meaningful lessons with better resources. Trust me, checking endless sums and marking them takes up a LOT of time that could be more gainfully spent.
Student able to see within a half-hour of doing the work if they are correct or not (teacher will check this work, but not every day)
Students able to see where their problem is and so can seek help with this - the child learns responsibility here. The child should also correct the work when self-marking.

Actually, your child can help that "she's bad at math" - by self-marking properly, seeking help and attempting the work rather than just copying an incorrect answer.


And having said that - I'm not a big fan of homework. I can set independent learning tasks in lesson and, if a child actually does the work (I have some very lazy ones who get extra homework to catch up), homework is just more of the same. Some homework I have set includes research and discovery, applying work done in lessons, explaining a physics lesson to a parent, bringing a car that they can modify in for invention week, sums, making posters... most of which can be done in lessons, finding a car does not take half an hour that it was supposed to (but building a lego car may... what a tough homework!), and parents should want to hear about their child's lessons. But I am a fan of self-marking and I do check the self-marking and then correct the work where needed. So long as it isn't every answer that's wrong - I'll call the child in to do the work again one-to-one if that's the case, as they do not understand the work, have not listened to the marking (so probably the explanation of how to do the work as well) and have not done what is expected with corrections.

No idea what the point is, especially younger grades. Apparently there is no research to say that homework has any benefits????

The only good thing I can come up with is maybe helping to get the parents involved but that's definitely not a guarantee. I think after all day at school kids need time to just be kids and relax.

I think it helps get children into good study habits which are essential for high school.

That said, DP and I are very involved with DD's homework, overseeing and correcting it.

Eta - there are dozens of studies reporting the benefits of homework, just as there are dozens which refute its benefits.

Balance is the key. You should see your child's teacher if you are concerned about the maths. Regardless of what your child is saying. The best thing is to ask. There might be something the teacher is missing. There also may be something you are missing. Talking with the teacher will always help the situation.
Esp. In year 6.

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Eta - there are dozens of studies reporting the benefits of homework, just as there are dozens which refute its benefits.

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Sorry, I should have added that I haven't researched it at all myself!! That was only something I read from somewhere else, which I wasn't sure if it was true or not, hence the question marks.
Though I did just google what Alfie Kohn had to say on it, and maybe it has stuck in my head from one of his books that I read because the article I just found said:

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1. The negative effects of homework are well known. They include children’s frustration and exhaustion, lack of time for other activities, and possible loss of interest in learning. Many parents lament the impact of homework on their relationship with their children; they may also resent having to play the role of enforcer and worry that they will be criticized either for not being involved enough with the homework or for becoming too involved.
2. The positive effects of homework are largely mythical. In preparation for a book on the topic, I’ve spent a lot of time sifting through the research. The results are nothing short of stunning. For starters, there is absolutely no evidence of any academic benefit from assigning homework in elementary or middle school. For younger students, in fact, there isn’t even a correlation between whether children do homework (or how much they do) and any meaningful measure of achievement. At the high school level, the correlation is weak and tends to disappear when more sophisticated statistical measures are applied. Meanwhile, no study has ever substantiated the belief that homework builds character or teaches good study habits.

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But yeah, you can always find research to support any view. In the case of the OP I think it's clearly not working though.

Actually, it doesn't stop at high school or university. DP and I are always doing "homework" for our jobs.

I can see the point of going off to figure stuff out by yourself, or finishing off essential tasks. Homework like that would be good, if appropriate (and for older kids). Although, little kids could have homework of coming up with something to talk about at news the next day, or something like that :dunno:
Pointless extra work without supervision or correction is another matter.

I disagree on the positive effects being mythical.

In the run-up to an examination, doing past papers as homework away from the class, researching the answers, bringing the paper to class to discuss - so, so useful. Using selected past paper questions after a class revision session shows how much has gone in during the lesson and what else needs to be covered. And it can mean 1-2 grades difference. Trust me - I see the children who do the homework get the grades.

DS has homework and he's 6. He has spellings to learn and books to read. He likes reading books with me. He learns a lot from it. We see the bonus in reading together as he tackles harder and harder books. The one-to-one doesn't happen as much in the school room. Yes, sometimes he's tired and "can't" do it: I read the book to him. It's about enjoyment at his age. He still learns from being read to.

And learning spellings? Weesh. Tell me that isn't needed, go on, I dare you. We're on the internet. It would take me five seconds to disprove anyone who disagreed with me.

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I disagree on the positive effects being mythical.

In the run-up to an examination, doing past papers as homework away from the class, researching the answers, bringing the paper to class to discuss - so, so useful. Using selected past paper questions after a class revision session shows how much has gone in during the lesson and what else needs to be covered. And it can mean 1-2 grades difference. Trust me - I see the children who do the homework get the grades.

DS has homework and he's 6. He has spellings to learn and books to read. He likes reading books with me. He learns a lot from it. We see the bonus in reading together as he tackles harder and harder books. The one-to-one doesn't happen as much in the school room. Yes, sometimes he's tired and "can't" do it: I read the book to him. It's about enjoyment at his age. He still learns from being read to.

And learning spellings? Weesh. Tell me that isn't needed, go on, I dare you. We're on the internet. It would take me five seconds to disprove anyone who disagreed with me.

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Cannot agree with you more!

There is a HUGE difference between the kids who regularly do their homework and those who do not. If you think that there are no benefits to it then you obviously have spent no time in a classroom. The kids who do do it are more likely to be engaged in their work in the classroom and perform better academically than those who do not. Homework reinforces and supports what is learnt at school and it's value is immeasurable. Especially for reading and spelling.

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There is a HUGE difference between the kids who regularly do their homework and those who do not...The kids who do do it are more likely to be engaged in their work in the classroom and perform better academically than those who do not.

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But couldn't it be the other way around? Kids that are more engaged and more academically minded are more likely to do homework? These are just my thoughts and only from my experience. I was a kid that always did her homework, and got reasonably good grades, but the reason was because I was a goody and too afraid of getting in trouble, LOL.

I agree with TFB that homework for older kids like practice exams etc is beneficial. You can't really get through your exams without studying outside of school. I disagree with it for the little kids though. A child's 'work' is play. The OP was about an older child anyway though so I'm getting off track now.

Having had a child who struggled when she didn't have homework I see its value. And given the way our education system is structured I can't see how children who have never been taught how to learn on their own will cope outside of primary school if they are never taught how to do home projects, study, research or revise work outside the classroom.

DD has come leaps and bounds on certain subjects because of homework as it has allowed her to discuss and revise areas of work that she was not completely confident with. I also think homework time should be family time. It allows you as a parent to engage and understand what your children are learning. My children still have plenty of time to play. They also don't see it as a chore because I've never made it seem that way.

It benefits the younger kids who are easily distracted in a classroom environment. Again it allows the child to revise what they have learnt and it's also time for sharing with the parent. This could be in writing exercises, reading or even math exercises.

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Balance is the key. You should see your child's teacher if you are concerned about the maths. Regardless of what your child is saying. The best thing is to ask. There might be something the teacher is missing. There also may be something you are missing. Talking with the teacher will always help the situation.
Esp. In year 6.

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It's not my child, it's a child from work.

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Cannot agree with you more!

There is a HUGE difference between the kids who regularly do their homework and those who do not. If you think that there are no benefits to it then you obviously have spent no time in a classroom. The kids who do do it are more likely to be engaged in their work in the classroom and perform better academically than those who do not. Homework reinforces and supports what is learnt at school and it's value is immeasurable. Especially for reading and spelling.

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I am not doubting that homework has it's benefits - but I can't see what they are in this case in point. The child is doing it because she knows she has to, no one is checking that she is doing it right, in fact she is continually learning the incorrect answers day after day. I get that teachers don't have oodles of time on their hands, but if no one does check it, then I still am left wondering what is the benefit of it. Try as I might to help her understand how to work out the math, she just didn't understand it, poor kid, and I sort of have this (perhaps misguided) hope that someone might notice and get her some extra support.

Perhaps the real issue is lack of parental involvement? But not every family does have the time to contribute to supporting homework, for whatever reason, right or wrong.

I agree that there is a benefit to homework. Depending what it is. Somewhere along the way (post grad, I think) I was taught that different people learn differently. For some, reading it was enough, for others, they could read for hours and not learn a thing but if someone explains it (a teacher), then they would learn better. For others, they had to apply & do in order to learn. Another thing was that if you review what you learnt in class that night, it would be more likely to sink in. Knowing how you learn makes it easier to learn.

I can see a benefit for younger kids too, but not everyday. I was very excited when DS brought home a "homework book" from kindy lol. His first homework was to cover the book & he had a month to do it! We had great fun. I have no idea how I'll cope with it everyday.

ETA: Ausgirl, I think that kids also have to take responsibility for themselves at some point. If she is getting the wrong answer all the time, is she asking why? Is she going to the teacher and saying "hey I don't understand this, can you explain more?" I agree that the teachers should be doing some checking, but I also think that the kids have to take the initiative too if they want to learn.

I haven't done, or read any studies, but I see the benifits, as much as it drives me up the wall when DD1 doesn't understand & won't accept my explanation, then has to ask her teacher anyway :lol:

DD1 is spelling a good year & a half above her year level. The benefits of reading every afternoon IMO. The rest of her schooling is at the level it should be, but with maths I think she'd be a bit behind if she didn't have some to do at home as well. At home they have more time to try to figure out & understand the questions. They can ask a thousand times without feeling silly.

There is also the responsibility & time management. Its their responsibility to get it done on time. DD2 still needs to be reminded, but DD1 knows & does it herself. She also has a diary & out of 5 days will choose the 4 days to do set tasks on, then has a days break. She put what she's doing on what days in there every week.

DD2 will get there. It'll be a bit more work for her, but one day she'll get there :lol: She also needs alot of extra help that they try their hardest with in the class room, but she still needs alot of help at home too.

DS has his sounds & started readers at the end of last year (4yo kindy). In the younger years I really don't see anything wrong with that little head start. Reading is the base to every aspect of learning, including maths. The best thing you can do for your child is get them involved in books & reading as early as possible.

Ausgirl - I think in the case you're talking about you're right. Its a lack of parental involvement. DD now usually goes off to her room to do her homework, but will ask if she needs help. If I can't help her I tell her to ask her teacher before school & she'll get that one on one help there. But DD is self motivated too. She wants to learn it & get it right. There's no way she'd put in an answer she knew was wrong. I've always been here to help though. She knows that.

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Perhaps the real issue is lack of parental involvement? But not every family does have the time to contribute to supporting homework, for whatever reason, right or wrong.

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Disagree. DH and I both work, DH full-time (sometimes overseas for up to 2 weeks at a time, usually about one week a month) and me four days a week (plus some evenings and I bring work home). I leave the house before DS wakes up some mornings, when I pick him up it is time for making dinner, eating then bedtime. Liebling can do some homework while I cook (my day off, Liebling cooks with me). We chat about school over the dinner table. We read school books at bedtime. He will read to me, I tend to pick stories he will need to know by senior school to read to him. So classical tales, from myths and legends to Treasure Island and Wizard of Oz (he just picked this from the library) to Roald Dahl. Stories that everybody "knows" by the time they are adults, but often haven't read and get wrong. And Greek Myths because if he doesn't get a Prep education but does go to private seniors he will seriously be on a back foot.

It doesn't take much to sit down in the holidays/Saturday mornings and do a bit of maths or French (again, trying to get him a proper education in the state sector). DH and I are fairly time-poor when it comes to family life, but it is NOT hard to spend a few minutes talking about school and homework. Every family can do this.

I set a half-hour homework a week for children age 9-13 at the moment; this is their Science work (they have other subjects on other nights). Parents have complained about reading homeworks set by the previous teacher, they want their child to write something down so they can talk about what they're doing, they want their child to actively do homework. Seems you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.