This topic is a little dated, but here it goes. A Calgary family has negotiated with their school for a no homework agreement.
I think that this is not a bad precedent. I am not saying that I would not assign homework so that I would have less marking, but that homework may not be the most effective method for teaching students.
One professor commented that homework is sometimes assigned for the wrong reason. In particular this professor said that some teachers, since they are unable to teach the student the concept, expect the parents to teach it to the student. The problem with this is that if a child is unable to learn the concept in class, there’s a very slim chance that the child will be able to learn it at home.
Sometimes homework might be used as a classroom management strategy. It might be used as a threat. I have said it myself, “if we don’t get through this, I’ll assign it for homework.” This might condition students to think that anytime anything is sent home, it is a punishment. There have to be better ways to keep students on task than threatening homework.
Now I am not saying that students should not take “work” home. Homework should not be busy work, it should be “work” that is a bridge to extend learning outside the classroom, to involve the family in the learning community. Literature backpacks are an example of this. This philosophy recognizes that learning has a social component; learning exists in a social setting, which does not always include the classroom.
Some may argue that we need to assign homework so that we can cover the entire curriculum. Well, if there’s a trend that teachers are having difficulty covering the curriculum, maybe it is an indication that something is wrong with the curriculum. Is the content more important than the process?
Another argument for homework is that it prepares students for university. If universities would like students who are able to do homework, maybe they should take ownership of that and “teach” their students how to do homework. Why should universities off load this expectation on the high schools?
The only problem that I have with this homework ban is that it seems to undermine the authority of the teacher as a professional. Should teachers as professionals not be able to make decisions regarding a child’s education? I think they should.
Ultimately, I think letting families spend time together outside of doing homework is a great idea.
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I find this really interesting, first, because I had never heard of this Calgary school opting for a No Homework deal. I think it's ridiculous. I think that before they attempt to cut out homework cold turkey, they should at least discuss the reasons why they want homework to be abolished and then see if there are more reasonable solutions. I remember when I was in grade 3, I would get so jealous of my older brothers when they would come home with homework because they seemed so grown up and I wanted to be grown up too. So, later in the year when my teacher asked us if we wanted homework, we all said, "YES!!!" It's funny how our perception of homework changes over time because let me tell you, I would give ANYTHING to not have homework now. Look at me now! It's 6:47pm on the last day of classes and I am scrambling trying to come up with 36 blog posts just to meet the requirements to an assignment. Granted, the assignment was given to me ages ago and it is my own fault that I am having to do this now, but I am just pointing out the fact that student perceptions about homework can be changed and molded depending on their attitudes and perhaps the way the teachers deals it. Naturally, if a teacher gives out homework as a punishment, students aren't going to be very receptive or responsive to it, but if it is maybe optional or an interesting activity that they have to do to prepare themselves for the next day, they might come to find homework entertaining. That will quickly be shot to pieces once they enter college or university but I think when it comes to homework, you can't have it both ways.
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