"Show Us What Homework's For - Students sound off on why homework doesn't work—and how that might change. - Kathleen Cushman
Figure 1. Students Suggest Homework Alternatives
In This Learning Situation. . . | Instead of This | Try This |
|---|---|---|
You introduced new material in class. | Assigning a question set so we will remember the material. | Ask us to think up a homework task that follows up on this material and to explain our choices. |
You want us to read an article before a class discussion. | Making us answer questions that prove we read it. | Ask us to write down two or three questions we have after reading the article. |
You want to see whether we understand a key concept (such as literary irony). | Making us complete a worksheet. | Ask us to demonstrate the concept for the class in small groups, using any medium. |
You want us to see how a math procedure applies in various situations. | Assigning 10 word problems that involve this procedure. | Ask small groups to choose one word problem that applies this procedure in a real-world situation, solve it, and present it to the class. |
You want us to memorize facts (such as dates in history). | Handing out a list that we will be tested on. | Ask each student to share with the class a memorization trick (such as a visual cue) that works with one item on this list. |
You want us to remember what you taught last month. | Assigning a review sheet. | Give frequent short pop quizzes about earlier material. Go over each quiz, but don't count the grade. |
