Homework Attitude Research Articles

Engaging in self-directed leisure activities during a homework-free holiday: Impacts on primary school children in Hong Kong

Homework is a core pedagogical tool used by schools around the world. Yet concern for heavy homework load has been raised regarding stress on students and families and how it may overshadow opportunities for non-academic development. Drawing support from Self-Determination Theory and Hope Theory, an innovative intervention project was designed to create homework-free opportunities for school children to take part in freely chosen self-directed leisure activities. The project was implemented in four primary schools in Hong Kong during the Easter holiday in 2017 and 2018. A mixed-method evaluation was conducted to appraise the experiences of student participants as well as the project's impact on holiday satisfaction, homework attitudes and self-directed outcomes. This study's sample was comprised of 1,425 students enrolled in Primary levels 1 to 6. Participants reported in interviews that engagement in self-chosen, self-directed leisure activities were exciting and appealing. Pre- and post-holiday survey results with control-group comparisons confirmed that students who undertook self-directed leisure activities over a homework-free holiday gained enhanced agency thinking and academic competence while also becoming less inclined to see homework as meeting their immediate learning needs. Implications are also discussed regarding the benefits of self-directed leisure activities as well as school-based homework policies regarding assignment load.

Individual Precursors of Student Homework Behavioral Engagement: The Role of Intrinsic Motivation, Perceived Homework Utility and Homework Attitude.

Currently, the concept of engagement is crucial in the field of learning and school achievement. It is a multidimensional concept (e.g., behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dimensions) that has been widely used as a theoretical framework to explain the processes of school engagement and dropout. However, this conceptual framework has been scarcely used in the field of homework. The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of intrinsic motivation, perceived homework utility, and personal homework attitude as precursors of student homework engagement (behavioral engagement) and, at the same time, how such engagement is the precursor of academic achievement. Seven hundred and thirty students of Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE) (7th to 10th grade) from fourteen schools northern Spain participated. A structural equation model was elaborated on which intrinsic motivation, perceived utility and attitude were observed variables, and student engagement (time spent on homework, time management, and amount of teacher-assigned homework done) and academic achievement (Mathematics, Spanish Language, English Language, and Social Science) were latent variables. The results reveal that (i) intrinsic motivation is a powerful precursor of student behavioral engagement (also perceived utility and attitude, although to a lesser extent), and (ii) academic achievement is closely linked to the level of student engagement, qualifying the results of many of the previous studies conducted from a task-centered perspective (as opposed to a person-centered perspective).

Impact of Concept Mapping and Modular Learning Techniques on Pupils’ Achievement for the Selected Topics in Mathematics

This research emphasizes on an alternate instructional tools called “Concept Map and Modular learning techniques”. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using concept maps and modular learning techniques in improving the mathematics achievement of higher secondary students and compare it with a traditional approach for a mathematics unit. Both the control and the experimental groups were required to take a pre-test before instruction and a post-test at the end of instruction. The test consisting of 30 questions was used to assess learning gains on a Mathematics Unit about Trigonometry and Differential Calculus. Moreover, results showed that the levels of concept mapping and modular learning techniques ability were associated with the students’ learning gains. The study suggests that, when carefully integrated into the normal classroom procedure and when other contributing factors such as student motivation and preparedness, reading ability levels, time and classroom environment are considered, concept mapping and modular learning techniques has a potential to be an effective instructional strategy. To enforce the title of the study, the researcher had determined to verify the results from a different angle using the normative survey method to justify the impact of attitude towards mathematics homework. Based on the findings and discussions, XI standard students are having positive mathematics homework attitude towards concept mapping and modular learning techniques for the topics trigonometry and differential calculus.

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Students’ Views On Homework And Their Learning Styles

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between students’ views on homework and their learning styles. The study follows a descriptive survey model. It is also an example of descriptive study in relational screening model. Target population is all first, second, third, and fourth year students who are enrolled in Çukurova University Primary School Classroom Teaching Department. The participants are 443 students who volunteered to fill in the data collection forms used in the study. Of the participants, 90 were first year, 103 were second year, 140 were third year, and 110 were fourth year students. 275 of the students participating in the study were female (62.1%) and 168 were male (37.9%). The data were collected through “Homework Attitudes Scale” developed by Gündüz (2005), Kolb’s Learning Styles Inventory (LSI) which was first examined for its applicability in Turkey by Aşkar and Akkoyunlu (1993), “Homework Purpose Scale”, “Homework Management Scale” and “Personal Information Form” developed by the researcher. No instruments were used to measure students’ academic success levels; their academic success was identified according to the overall mean score obtained from the scores they received from all lessons. Findings show that 141 students (31.8%) preferred assimilating learning style while 133 students (30%) preferred converging learning style. Dominant learning style was found to differ according to grade level and grade point average. The difference in terms of homework attitudes, homework purpose, and homework management scale mean scores was in favour of mostly students who have converging learning style. Besides, there was a significant difference in terms of doing homework on time in favour of students who have converging learning style, and there was a significant difference in terms of coming to class without homework in favour of students who have diverging learning style.

Predicting approach to homework in Primary school students.

The goal of this research was to study the weight of student variables related to homework (intrinsic homework motivation, perceived homework instrumentality, homework attitude, time spent on homework, and homework time management) and context (teacher feedback on homework and parental homework support) in the prediction of approaches to homework. 535 students of the last three courses of primary education participated in the study. Data were analyzed with hierarchical regression models and path analysis. The results obtained suggest that students’ homework engagement (high or low) is related to students´ level of intrinsic motivation and positive attitude towards homework. Furthermore, it was also observed that students who manage their homework time well (and not necessarily those who spend more time) are more likely to show the deepest approach to homework. Parental support and teacher feedback on homework affect student homework engagement through their effect on the levels of intrinsic homework motivation (directly), and on homework attitude, homework time management, and perceived homework instrumentality (indirectly). Data also indicated a strong and significant relationship between parental and teacher involvement.

An examination of the attitudes of secondary school students towards research homeworks according to different variants

The aim of this study is to put forth whether the attitudes of secondary school students towards research homeworks according to the variants of gender, class level, and school type show any difference. This research was done with a total of 422 students who are enrolled in the secondary schools at Cankaya, Ankara. In the study was used a “research homework attitude scale”. Whether there is a meaningful difference in students’ attitudes towards research homework according to gender, class level, and school type was examined through ANOVA. Attitudes of secondary school students towards research homework according to their gender do not show a meaningful difference. As the class level increases, the attitudes of students change in the negative direction. Moreover, students who study at public schools have a more positive attitude than the students who study at a private school.

Between-teacher differences in homework assignments and the development of students' homework effort, homework emotions, and achievement.

The study examines whether teachers' homework objectives, implementation practices, and attitudes toward parental involvement are associated with the development of students' homework effort, homework emotions, and achievement during Grade 8. A total of 63 teachers (40 male, 23 female; mean teaching experience: M = 17.5 years) of French as a 2nd language and their 1,299 Grade 8 students (51.2% female; mean age at first measurement point: M = 13.84, SD = 0.56) participated in the study. In multilevel models, teachers' homework attitudes and behaviors were specified to predict outcomes at the end of Grade 8, controlling for covariates at the beginning of Grade 8. A low emphasis on drill and practice tasks and a high emphasis on motivation were associated with favorable developments in homework effort and achievement. Controlling homework assignments were associated with less homework effort and more negative homework emotions; the opposite pattern was found for students whose teacher supported student homework autonomy rather than parental homework involvement. The authors call for a systematic integration of findings from homework research in teacher training.

Trabalho de casa, tarefas escolares, auto-regulação e envolvimento parental

Urge entender o Trabalho de Casa (TPC) como processo complexo para o qual conflui um vasto leque de factores impactantes. Neste relato analisam-se as relações entre os perfis de atitudes e comportamentos diante do TPC de Inglês e o nível instrutivo dos pais, a auto-eficácia percebida nessa disciplina bem como a correlação entre tais perfis de TPC e os perfis auto-regulatórios, em face do estudo. A amostra tomada é composta de 3929 alunos. O nível instrutivo dos pais associa-se positiva e significativamente aos perfis de atitudes e comportamentos de TPC. As atitudes e comportamentos de TPC correlacionam-se, positiva e significativamente, com os perfis auto-regulatórios, diante do estudo. Alunos que se percepcionam como mais auto-eficazes registam melhores perfis de atitudes e comportamentos de TPC. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de os diferentes parceiros do sistema educativo analisarem e promoverem activamente os processos auto-regulatórios envolvidos no ensino-aprendizagem em geral e no TPC em particular.

Interactive Homework in Middle School: Effects on Family Involvement and Science Achievement

The purpose of this intervention study was to examine the effects of weekly interactive science homework on family involvement in homework, student achievement, and homework attitudes. Sixth- and 8th-grade students (N = 253) participated in the 18-week study. Six classes of students completed TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork) assignments with directions for family and parent involvement. Four classes completed noninteractive homework (no family involvement directions). Interactive students reported significantly higher levels of family involvement than did noninteractive students. Students in both groups who more regularly involved family members completed more assignments; TIPS students turned in more accurate assignments than did non-TIPS students. TIPS students also earned significantly higher science report card grades. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that TIPS interactive homework affects family involvement in homework, science attitudes, and student achievement in the middle grades.

Parental Awareness of Their Children's Homework Motivation and Preference and Its Relationship to Achievement

ABSTRACT The degree of parental awareness of their children's homework motivation and preference and its relationship to homework achievement and homework attitude were investigated in 329 Chinese fifth graders (172 boys and 157 girls) and 244 seventh graders (130 boys and 114 girls) and their parents. The level of match between children's homework preferences and parents' perception of their child's homework preferences indicates that there exists a fairly high level of awareness of child's preferred way of doing homework in Chinese parents. In general, a high level of parental awareness of child's homework preferences was associated with high achievement and positive attitude toward homework in the child. While gender differences became more pronounced in the upper grade, parental awareness became less influential in achievement of teacher-rated lomework assignments. In the lower grade, gender was not a major factor contributing to achievement differences, but parental awareness was a more important factor influencing children's homework achievement and attitude toward homework. Parents are often unaware of their children's preferred way of learning and studying. Without parental knowledge of individual differences in learning preferences, potentially positive parental influence could be compromised.

Relating school policies and staff attitudes to the homework behaviours of teachers

Research on homework has typically focused on students’ beliefs, commitment to, and benefits of doing homework, but what about the influence of school policies and teachers’ beliefs and attitudes on the topic? Do schools with stricter rules and a clearer focus have teachers giving more homework? Are teachers who believe in the virtues of homework as a learning device and a convenient means for communicating with the home more likely to give, collect, mark, and return homework to students than teachers who see no benefits? This study developed a valid, reliable instrument, the homework attitude and behaviour inventory for teachers (HABIT), and administered it to 120 teachers in two schools with a clear, focused homework policy, and two without. Findings were that schools with a well‐defined homework policy had teachers who: gave, collected, marked, and returned homework significantly more often; and believed in the usefulness of these assignments. Multiple regressions showed a significant relationship between beliefs about homework, the homework behaviours, and the types of assignments made (repeat classwork, introduce new materials, explore new ideas, pursue imaginative topics at home). Regressing homework attitudes and school policies against teacher homework behaviours produced an adjusted R‐square of 49.5 (p < 0.001).

Parent Involvement in Homework: A Double-Edged Sword

ABSTRACT The degree to which children's learning and homework styles were related and the effect of parent understanding of these two characteristics on children's homework attitude and achievement were examined in fifth and sixth graders (N=93) and 33 of their parents. The instruments were the Dunn, Dunn and Price Learning Style Inventory (1984), and two instruments developed by the authors, the Homework Style Scale and the Homework Behavior Scale. Children who shared an understanding of the preferred conditions for learning at home with their parents, received a higher mean score on attitude toward homework than those who did not. Parents were fairly accurate in perceptions of their children's homework style but far less accurate in perceptions of their children's learning style. It was suggested that parents' increased awareness of children's homework style may yield significant and immediate benefits for the learning a child does at home and at school.