Math Forum Discussions

dennis roberts

Posts: 8,600
Registered: 12/6/04

Re: [ap-stat] Homework
Posted: Aug 5, 2012 9:23 PM

Plain Text

First, I don't see the relevance of whether teachers in China value
homework or not.

Second, YOU have to decide if you think that homework A) should be given
in the first place and B) whether you want to look at it if you assign
it and/or evaluate it and/or add something to the overall grading you
do based on homework. Once you decide that, it makes your life a lot
easier.

Third, just my opinion but ...I think the main benefit of homework is to
the student. If you give homework, your job is to select
problems/exercises/readings that help the student comprehend what they
are learning ... better. Just assigning homework that is nothing but
busy work seems rather pointless.

Now, given that ... if they want to do it or at least try to do it ...
then potentially they will get some value out of that. Perhaps that is
enough.

I would say however that if you assign homework, then you need to go
over some of it (maybe not all) so that those who try but run into a
snag or two, so that they can get back on track. If you don't go over it
in class, then at least have some feedback mechanism where students can
see what the correct answers are.

Finally ... there are many on this list who are adamant about both
assigning homework and evaluating it in some way. There probably are an
equal # who assign homework but do little with it ... other than perhaps
go over selected exercises from time to time. Those don't evaluate it
and don't grade it and it is not part of the grade in the course.

There are cogent arguments from both camps ... you just have to decide
which camp you belong to.;-)

There is no right nor pedagogically correct thing to do about the issue
of homework. I will say however that if you have decent sized classes,
you can get overwhelmed with handling homework if you are not careful.

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