February 2008 — News
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Homework or Busywork? Attitudes Soften, but Quality Still Questioned
Educators might be striking a happy balance between homework that's assigned to promote learning and homework that's perceived by students and parents as "busywork." As recently as 2002, a vast 74 percent of secondary students described their homework as busywork. Now, however, that's down significantly, with just 30 percent holding that attitude, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive, the "MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: The Homework Experience." But it also showed a "disconnect" between teachers and parents on the quality of assignments.
Student Attitudes, Technology Use, Hindrances
While far fewer students now seem to consider homework busywork, they are not exactly excited by what they're being assigned either. More than half (55 percent) think their homework is not interesting (62 percent in secondary, 44 percent in elementary). When asked which subject had the "most interesting" homework, 14 percent of students said "none." Of those who would name a subject, the plurality gave it to science, at 23 percent. Math came in second at 21 percent. Social studies/history received 15 percent of the vote; and English/reading received 14 percent.
Forty-five percent of students said they spend an hour or more per school day on homework, with 17 percent saying the spend two hours or more. Fifty-five percent spend 45 minutes or less on homework, with 6 percent responding that they spend no time at all. Twenty-two percent said they spend an hour or more on homework per weekend day. Seventy-seven percent said they almost always complete their homework.
The survey found, though, that students have a number of hindrances and distractions when doing homework--including a lack of time, shortage of sleep, and various entertainments. Forty-seven percent of students (57 percent of secondary students) said they do not get enough sleep, with 7 percent actually "frequently" falling asleep in class. In telling contrast, on average, teacher said that about 28 percent of their students do not get enough sleep.
Sixty-nine percent of elementary students and 89 percent of secondary students reported doing something else while doing homework, including:
- Listening to music (70 percent);
- Watching television (51 percent);
- Talking on the phone 20 percent);
- E-mailing or instant messaging (20 percent); and
- Text messaging (17 percent).
