Homework Purposes Research Articles

Homework Purposes in Eighth Grade Students: Identifying Student Profiles and Their Relationship with Homework Effort, Completion, and Achievement

The main objective of the research was (1) to identify different profiles of students based on three purposes they had for homework (academic, self-regulatory and approval-seeking) and (2) to analyze their relationship with the homework effort, completion, and math achievement. The study involved 3,018 eighth-grade students from various areas in China. Data were analyzed with Mplus using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA). As hypothesized, four different profiles were identified: High Profile (high in all purposes; 13.39%), Moderate Profile (moderate in all purposes; 56.63%), Low Profile (low in all purposes; 26.04%), and Very Low Profile (very low in all purposes; 3.94%). Belonging to a certain profile was related to the homework effort, completion, and math achievement: the higher the purposes, the greater the homework effort, completion, and higher math performance. The results of our study suggest certain similarities and consistency between individual groups (similar profiles) at different ages (i.e., eighth and eleventh graders). Belonging to one or the other profile may have different consequences or implications both for the student's behavior (for example, in terms of their involvement in homework and academic achievement) and for the educational practice of teachers and families.

Perspectives of Primary Teachers, Students, and Parents on Homework

The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences of teachers, students, and parents on homework purpose and student feedback in primary school. The qualitative methodology was adopted for this research. This qualitative study used data from 20 teachers, 20 students, and 20 parents of the fifth-grade primary school in four municipalities of Kosovo. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and were analyzed through the thematic analysis method. The research results provided an overview of the reality of the way teachers approached homework. Research showed that there was a lack of a general standard, in almost all schools, related to homework assignments and there was a lack of teachers’ professional development for homework planning. Also, this research showed that the purpose of homework was closely related to how teachers planned and understood the role of homework, as well as how teachers built collaboration with students.

REFLECTIONS, PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES IN FORMULATING AND EVALUATING HOMEWORK IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

Homework is a controversial topic that frequently attracts the attention of teachers and researchers, who are looking to identify ways to make it as attractive and enjoyable as possible, relevant, and formative as well. There are various points of views and data, empirically based, concerning the utility, scope, impact of homework on students’ development. The aim of the study was to identify the reflections, perceptions, and stated practices of primary school teachers regarding the assignment and assessment of homework. Thus, 10 primary education teachers completed reflection diaries on homework, between May 26 and June 25, 2021 (a period of the schooling year with consolidations, evaluations, and gradual relaxation towards ending/summer holiday). The teachers were asked to record each two days their reflections. The coding of the entries in the reflection diaries was done and analyzed with MAXQDA, and it covered aspects like the purpose and role of homework, methods for effective assignment of homework, parental involvement, appropriate completion time, volume, etc. The results, informative for teachers and educational experts as well, reveal teachers’ perceptions regarding the degree of involvement of children and parents, the appropriate dosage of effort and the appropriate time for solving homework, practices of assigning and evaluating students’ homework.

Suitable Homework Boosts Highschool Learning Effects

Highschool homework as an integral part of the study skills benefits students' learning outcomes significantly. Consistency of completing homework contributes to rising scores in any given assignment such as quizzes, regular tests, standardized tests, etc. The purpose of homework aims at different targets and it is designed for specific groups and occasions. Generally, there are four types of homework: a) Practice, b) Preparatory, c) Extension, and d) Integration. On the other hand, there is a great variety of homework with various tasks. The daily length of the high school assignments is within the frame time of ninety minutes to three hours. Too long or too short time consuming on completing the task does not result effectively in positive learning outcomes. The optimal time for completing an assignment resonates with the Aristotle mean, and it provides maximum benefits in learning outcome. Despite the fact of the dispute between education stockholders on benefits of homework, they still agree that homework elevates study skills to a certain degree with regard to the exams or study skills.

Individual and class-level factors for students' management of homework environment: The self-regulation perspective.

The present study investigated the predictive effects of clusters of variables on homework environment management based on the data from 3018 students in Grade 8. These clusters included: background variables, homework characteristics, adult support and monitoring, homework purposes, goal orientations, and contextual control. At the individual level, management of homework environment was significantly related to at least one variable from each of the six clusters. Specifically, it was associated negatively with time spent watching TV, and positively with prior achievement, homework interest, homework quality, family help, teacher feedback, academic purpose, self-regulatory purpose, mastery-approach, and help seeking. Additionally, males managed homework environment less frequently than females. Finally, management of homework environment was positively related to homework quality at the class level.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02596-5.

Empirically derived profiles of homework purposes in eleventh grade students: a latent profile analysis.

Informed by expectation-value theory and related literature, the goal of the current investigation was to identify profiles of students drawn from three purposes of homework (academic, self-regulatory, and approval-seeking). Participants were 750 eleventh-grade students in China. Results from latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed identified four different profiles of students: Very Low Profile (very low in all purposes; 5.73%), Low Profile (low in all purposes; 30.40%), Moderate Profile (moderate in all purposes; 54.40%), and High Profile (high in all purposes; 9.47%). Results further revealed that student gender was associated with profile membership. Finally, profile membership was significantly related to homework effort and completion (with a medium effect size) in that, in general, the higher the homework purposes, the higher the homework effort and homework completion.

Math homework purpose scale: Confirming the factor structure with high school students

AbstractThe present investigation aims to test the validity of scores on the math homework purpose scale (MHPS) for high school students. Factorial results found that the MHPS contained three subscales: academic purpose, self‐regulatory purpose, and approval‐seeking purpose. Furthermore, the MHPS had a sufficient level of measurement and latent factor mean invariance across gender and grade level. Additionally, the MHPS had adequate coefficient alpha and omega coefficients. Regarding its validity evidence, consistent with theoretical predictions, the MHPS was associated positively with homework effort and completion. In summary, our investigation presents strong evidence showing that the MHPS is a valid tool for use with high school students.

Homework and Children in Grades 3\u20136: Purpose, Policy and Non-Academic Impact

BackgroundIncreasing academic demands, including larger amounts of assigned homework, is correlated with various challenges for children. While homework stress in middle and high school has been studied, research evidence is scant concerning the effects of homework on elementary-aged children.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to understand rater perception of the purpose of homework, the existence of homework policy, and the relationship, if any, between homework and the emotional health, sleep habits, and parent–child relationships for children in grades 3–6.MethodSurvey research was conducted in the schools examining student (n = 397), parent (n = 442), and teacher (n = 28) perception of homework, including purpose, existing policy, and the childrens’ social and emotional well-being.ResultsPreliminary findings from teacher, parent, and student surveys suggest the presence of modest impact of homework in the area of emotional health (namely, student report of boredom and frustration), parent–child relationships (with over 25% of the parent and child samples reporting homework always or often interferes with family time and creates a power struggle), and sleep (36.8% of the children surveyed reported they sometimes get less sleep) in grades 3–6. Additionally, findings suggest misperceptions surrounding the existence of homework policies among parents and teachers, the reasons teachers cite assigning homework, and a disconnect between child-reported and teacher reported emotional impact of homework.ConclusionsPreliminary findings suggest homework modestly impacts child well-being in various domains in grades 3–6, including sleep, emotional health, and parent/child relationships. School districts, educators, and parents must continue to advocate for evidence-based homework policies that support children’s overall well-being.

Teachers’ perspectives on homework: manifestations of culturally situated common sense

ABSTRACT This paper presents an exploratory study of English and Swedish teachers’ perspectives on the role of homework in year-one children’s learning of number. In order to ensure cultural integrity, data were analysed independently by two colleagues in each context. Analyses yielded three broad but cross-culturally common themes reflecting culturally situated notions of common sense. These concerned the existence of homework, the purpose of homework and the role of parents in homework’s completion. While homework was unproblematic for all English teachers, half the Swedish cohort spoke against it, arguing that variation in home background would compromise principles of equity. All teachers who set homework, whether English or Swedish, spoke of homework as a means of supporting children at risk of falling behind their peers, a process by which children practice routine skills. English teachers’ homework-related justifications were located in a discourse of target setting that was invisible in the Swedish.

Investigating Factors That Influence Math Homework Purposes: A Multilevel Analysis

The present study used a multilevel approach to investigate the influence of four clusters of variables (i.e., demographic, homework, teacher, and parent) on three types of math homework purposes (i.e., academic, self-regulatory, or approval-seeking) perceived by 3,018 8th graders in China. Results revealed that each of the three math homework purposes was significantly related to at least one variable from three or more clusters at the student level (e.g., homework interest, teacher feedback quality, and parent content support). In addition, each purpose was significantly related to at least one variable from either homework or teacher clusters at the class level (e.g., homework quality and teacher autonomy support), thereby providing empirical support to the multilevel nature of math homework purposes. Third, compared with the “quantity” variables, the “quality” variables at the student and class levels played a more influential role in all three homework purposes, particularly relating to homework variables (quality/interest/favorability vs. time/frequency) and parent variables (content support vs. help quantity). Finally, although the present study did not directly compare students’ perspectives from different cultural backgrounds, the findings alluded to the role of cultural specificity in all three math homework purposes.

Math Homework Purpose Scale

Abstract. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Math Homework Purpose Scale (MHPS). After randomly splitting the sample ( N = 854) into two subsamples ( n = 427 and n = 427), we carried out exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on subsample 1 and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on subsample 2. The Kaiser-Meyer Olkin value of .88 indicated that EFA was appropriate for subsample 1. EFA results showed that a three-factor solution explained 72.2% of the variance. All ten of the MHPS items loaded quite substantially on three factors labeled Academic, Self-Regulatory, and Approval-Seeking. CFA results further showed that the MHPS was composed of three factors: Academic, Self-Regulatory, and Approval-Seeking. From this adequate level of measurement invariance, we further examined the latent mean difference across gender for the entire sample. Our findings showed no statistically significant mean differences in Academic, Self-Regulatory, and Approval-Seeking across gender. In addition, the HMPS was found to have adequate alpha reliability coefficients and omega coefficients. Concerning the validity evidence of the MHPS, Academic, Self-Regulatory, and Approval-Seeking purposes were positively correlated with homework effort, homework completion, and math achievement. The present study provides solid evidence that the MHPS is a reliable and valid measurement of math homework purposes.

Are homework purposes and student achievement reciprocally related? A longitudinal study

The current study examines reciprocal influences of homework purposes (approval-seeking, self-regulatory, and academic) and math achievement, using data from 1365 students in grade 8 at two measurement points. Results indicated there were positive reciprocal influences of (a) academic purpose and achievement, and (b) academic purpose and self-regulatory purpose. Results further revealed that prior achievement had a positive effect on later self-regulatory purpose. Meanwhile, prior approval-seeking purpose had a negative effect on later achievement. Taken together, the present study advance extant research, by differentiating three types of homework purposes using models of reciprocal influences, and by showing their respective relationships with math achievement over time.

La actuación docente con los deberes para casa en Educación Primaria

La importancia de los deberes para casa ha quedado demostrada en diversos estudios nacionales e internacionales. Uno de los efectos positivos de los deberes tiene relación con la mejora del rendimiento académico de los alumnos. Presentamos esta investigación de carácter descriptivo y correlacional centrada en Educación Primaria en Ceuta, donde se analiza principalmente la labor del docente en cuanto a los deberes para casa. La muestra objeto de estudio la han formado 747 alumnos, 679 familias y 57 docentes. Todos ellos son de los cursos 4º, 5º y 6º de Educación Primaria, que han respondido a tres cuestionarios construidos ad hoc para cada grupo informante. Entre los principales elementos que se han analizado se pueden encontrar la formación docente, la finalidad y el tipo de deberes o la elaboración/selección de los deberes por parte de los docentes. Se ha detectado principalmente escasa formación docente en cuanto a los deberes, así como la importancia y la necesidad de un buen diseño de los mismos y la coordinación docente. Finalmente se ofrecen propuestas de actuación y mejora.

ROLE AND PURPOSE OF HOMEWORK IN RELATION TO THE TEACHING PRACTICE IN POLISH SCHOOLS

There are many new methods and forms of work in the education of every young man which he will not be able to meet on a daily basis. In order to learn the reasonableness of didactic activities, a student will need not only a school, but also a home, which are an inseparable part of education and the upbringing of future generations. The aim of the article is to describe the role and purpose of homework in the context of teaching and the current re-form of education. In the teaching process, every teacher should strive to make the student learn at school as much as possible and to decrease his work at home. If the lesson is well carried out and stimulates the thinking, if its contents and functions have been properly selected, then it can be expected that the students have gained so much knowledge that their homework will not take them much time. Its performance will be a pleasure for the student, not a duty. We often forget that the teaching profession is characterized above all by the fact that its area of activity is a contact with people, especially children and youth, and the primary purpose of its actions is to edu-cate them. Working as a teacher sets requirements, which are not limited only to the transfer of knowledge. These tasks are also the transfer of experiences, stimulating to be creative, active, motivated and capable, which con-tributes to shaping the value system of a young person. Implementation of these tasks may affect with teachers being overloaded by work, and cause fatigue and tiredness. It is important whether the beliefs about the teaching profession are reasonable and the skills are adapted to the position. Therefore, it is necessary to plan didactic work, so that it is not obligatory to give homework after each lesson because homework is supposed to be a consol-idation of what the student learned during the lesson, homework should not be just another filler of the day.

Homework in the Foundation Phase: Perceptions of principals of eight public primary schools in Johannesburg

This article reports on a qualitative study done in Johannesburg, South Africa, which investigated attitudes of primary school principals of eight public primary schools towards the use of homework in teaching and learning in the Foundation Phase (which comprises the first three grade levels of primary schooling). Using a semi-structured interview, the study focused on the principals’ perceptions of homework in general, whether homework policies existed in their schools, and the extent to which parents were involved in their children’s homework. To obtain a representative set of findings, purposive sampling was used to recruit two participating principals from schools in each of the following geographical and socio-economic settings: inner city, peri-urban, suburban and township. The findings indicated that although the purpose and value of homework remains debatable, the participating principals viewed homework as a valuable tool in teaching and learning. The principals expressed the belief that parents from low-income environments regarded homework as important, as did their higher-income counterparts, but poorer parents were less involved in their children’s homework. The study concludes with recommendations for education policy-makers, as well as primary school administrators and parents, regarding the use of homework in primary schools. Keywords : effective homework; homework; homework debates; homework policy; parental involvement; socio-economic environment

Math homework purpose scale for preadolescents: a psychometric evaluation

The current study validated the Math Homework Purpose Scale (MHPS) for preadolescents. Having randomly split participants into two subsamples, we conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on subsample 1 (n = 293) and subsample 2 (n = 292), respectively. Both EFA and CFA indicated that the MHPS consisted of three factors: Academic, Self-regulatory, and Approval-seeking Reasons. Given an adequate level of measurement invariance, we further examined the latent mean difference across gender. Results revealed no statistically significant mean differences in Academic, Self-regulatory, and Approval-seeking Reasons across gender. Finally, consistent with theoretical expectations, Academic and self-regulatory Reasons were positively correlated with homework effort, homework completion, and math achievement.

Homework purposes, homework behaviors, and academic achievement. Examining the mediating role of students’ perceived homework quality

A multi-level structural equation model was used to examine the relationships between the homework purposes reported by teachers (i.e. practice, preparation, participation, and personal development), homework quality perceived by students (e.g., homework related to the class material taught) and homework variables (i.e. effort, and homework performance) collected through different sources, and mathematics achievement. Participants were 4265 6th graders and their teachers (N = 101) from 199 classes. The direct and indirect relationships between variables were analyzed. Data showed that (a) homework purposes, students’ homework variables and mathematic achievement are associated, and (b) the relationship between homework purposes and mathematic achievement is mediated, by students’ perception of homework quality. Research and practice implications are addressed.

A study of the validity and reliability of the online homework emotion regulation scale

Online education grows at a level far beyond that of overall higher education; millions of students are taking online courses. Online assignments often elicit unpleasant emotional responses (e.g., frustration). However, the issue of regulating students’ emotion to complete online homework has been notably missing from much online learning literature. The aim of our investigation is to validate the Online Homework Emotion Regulation Scale (OHERS), based on data from 612 undergraduates. The sample was randomly split into two groups, where each group was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), respectively. Both EFA and CFA findings indicated that the OHERS consisted of two subscales: Emotion Management and Cognitive Reappraisal. In addition, the OHERS and its subscales showed very good to excellent reliability. Regarding the validity evidence of the OHERS, emotion management and cognitive reappraisal were positively associated with online homework purposes, behaviors, learning strategies, and e-learning satisfaction, consistent with theoretical expectations.

Role of Homework in Teaching Learning at Sixth Standard

Homework is defined as any work planned and approved by the teacher to be completed by student outside the regular classroom, usually due within a short period of time. The term homework refers to the school each assigned by the teacher, school or other educational institution. Homework if skillfully planned is appropriate to relate in a meaningful way to the process of teaching and learning of subject in the classroom. The purpose of homework is to integrate skills into the learner such as ability to draw, developed abstract thinking and constructing new knowledge. In the present study aimed to know the role of homework in teaching learning process at sixth standard level of private and government school of Rohini in Delhi. The purpose of the study was to know views of students of private and government school, teachers of private and government school and parents of private and government school. The researchers used Purposive sampling to collect data. The study being quantitative used survey method. To analysis the data Statistical techniques were employed in the form of percentages, (%) and computing the “t” test respectively. Results revealed that most of the students, teachers and parents have an opinion that Homework given by teachers are meaningful and interesting and helps children to perform well in examinations.

Why school? The 48th Annual PDK Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

Why school? The 48th Annual PDK Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools included questions about the purpose of schooling, standards, homework, school funding, and parents' relationships with their schools. The 2016 poll, which was conducted by Langer Research Associates, was based on a telephone poll of 1,221 adults during April and May 2016. The results were reported in the September 2016 issue of Kappan magazine. The major finding was that less than half of adult Americans say preparing students academically is the main goal of a public education, and just one-third feel that way strongly. The remaining Americans split between preparing students for work (25%) and preparing students for citizenship (26%). In a related result — perhaps reflecting the economic uncertainty of recent years — the survey finds a heavy tilt in preferences away from more higher-level academics and toward more classes focused on work skills. By a broad 68% to 21%, Americans say having their local public schools focus more on career-technical or skills-based classes is better than focusing on more honors or advanced academic classes. These differing views of the overarching purpose of public education influence attitudes toward public schools more broadly. Local schools are better rated by those focused on academics, for example, and do less well among those who see their chief aim as preparing students for work.