The Homework Pendulum: Teachers’ Perspectives on the Costs ...

The Homework Pendulum: Teachers' Perspectives on the Costs and Benefits of Assigning Homework

By Spencer Davis

A research paper submitted in conformity with the requirements For the degree of Master of Teaching

Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto

Copyright by Spencer Davis, April 2016

THE HOMEWORK PENDULUM

Chapter

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements Abstract

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction to the Research Study 1.2 Purpose of the Study 1.3 Research Topic/Questions 1.4 Background of the Researcher 1.5 Overview

2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 A Brief History of Homework 2.2 Intended Purposes of Assigned Homework 2.3 Researched Benefits of School Homework 2.4 Researched Consequences of School Homework 2.5 Conclusion

3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Procedure 3.2 Instruments of Data Collection 3.3 Participants 3.4 Data Collection and Analysis 3.5 Ethical Review Procedures

2

Page 5 6

7 9 10 10 11

13 15 19 22 25

27 29 30 34 35

THE HOMEWORK PENDULUM

3

3.6 Limitations

36

3.7 Conclusion

37

4. FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction

38

4.1 External Factors Influencing Homework Policies

38

4.1.1 Administration Pressure

39

4.1.2 Parental Pressure

41

4.1.3 Personal Experiences

42

4.1.4 Personal Time Commitments

44

4.2 New Teacher Advice

44

4.3 Homework Impeding on Non-Academic Development

46

4.4 Homework Inequality

48

4.4.1 Differentiation

48

4.4.2 Socio-Economic Inequality

50

4.4.3 Language Inequality

52

4.4.4 Technology Inequality

53

4.4.5 Assessment

54

4.5 Perspectives on Student Free Time

55

4.5.1 After the Bell

55

4.5.2 Non-Academic Activities

56

4.6 Negative Environments

56

4.6.1 Home Environment

57

4.6.2 School Environment

59

THE HOMEWORK PENDULUM

4

4.7 Conclusion

61

5. IMPLICATIONS

5.1 Overview of Key Findings

63

5.2 Implications

65

5.2.1 For the Educational Community

65

5.2.2 For my own Professional Practice

66

5.3 Recommendations

67

5.3.1 Ministry of Education

67

5.3.2 Parental Responsibility

68

5.3.3 Practitioner Recommendations

69

5.3.4 Differentiation of Homework

70

5.4 Areas for Further Study

71

5.5 Concluding Comments

72

REFERENCES

73

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Letter of Consent for Interview

77

Appendix B : Interview Questions

79

FIGURES (if applicable)

Figure 1 : Cooper's Types of Homework

83

Figure 2 : Cooper's list of positive and negative homework effects

83

THE HOMEWORK PENDULUM

5

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank everyone who had a part in the process of completing the longest homework assignment of my academic career. To my classmates and co-workers and family members who offered their thoughts and opinions regarding my research. To my participants who agreed to share their experiences and opinions on this topic that were invaluable to my work. Finally, to my supervisor Angela MacDonald-Vemic who has been a constant support for me with enthusiasm and expertise.

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