Introduction
Homework tasks can be very vital in helping schools develop among other things, their students in becoming independent learners.
Independent learning allows students to acquire knowledge on their own, to consequently become useful members of the society.
Home work task learning focuses on making the learners able enough to conduct learning on their own in the future. This system should be highly encouraged as it ensures a continuous pursuit of knowledge by all (St. Katherine’s school, 2010).
Learning as a process of acquiring knowledge
According to Linsdea (2010), learning distances people from ignorance by enabling them acquire knowledge without external guidance.
An example of external guidance is from teachers who educate and pass knowledge to the students.
Cobb perceives learning as a lifelong process that transforms experiences , skills as well as information.
Lindsea defines learning as the process in which people consciously takes their self farther away from ignorance. Ignorance to her is the lack of knowledge, the inability to understand something without guidance from an outside force and the willful act of not learning (1). According to Cobb however, learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes(2).
Homework Contributes to Development
Homework cements the ideas that students learn in school (Cobb 45).
Helps increase memory capacity and broaden understanding.
An example is the way a student gains skills and confidence after doing homework without the teacher’s assistance.
Cobb (45) is of the view that, homework is vital to a student because it enables him or her to cement ideas learnt in class. The memory capacity of a student is also broadened when one does home work and consequently make the students independent learners.
Characteristics of Independent Learners
They think and act autonomously.
They can realistically appraise any shortcomings they may have, for example work on weaknesses and explore their strengths.
They are good at self-management (Caxton 78).
Independent learners usually act and think autonomously, they poses self management skills and also capable of realistically appraising their own shortcomings (Caxton). Such students for example understand hat there strengths are and their weaknesses thus can use them accordingly in becoming independent learners.
Styles of Learning
- Delineated, logical sequential lessons.
- Working in Groups.
- Listening Learning style.
- Learning through observation.
Although learning styles vary from one student to another, the most common ones are for example through logical sequential lessons (Cobb 33), peer learning, learning through listening and also through observation like in scientific experiments.
Teacher’s role in developing student’s independence
Teachers act as a driving force in making students independent learners.
Teacher’s willingness to assist students nurtures them to independent learning.
Teachers encourage students in keeping assignment books.
Give parents frequent update on the homework progress and other academic performance of student.
It takes the hand of a teacher for the students to become independent learners. Chopin (98) can encourage students to keep assignments books, they can help them know how to approach questions in homework, they can communicate with parents on the progress of the homework and other academic performances if the student.
What the teaching staff had to say
Homework given to year 7 is 30 minutes work per week, in each given subject.
Competitive tasks and modeling are found most rewarding methods of homework.
Independent learning can be promoted through teaching problem solving skills and creating extended tasks.
According to the Head of English and Science department, year 7 ought to be given homework per subject on each week that lasts 30 minutes, or twice per week in science subjects. The most rewarding homework are said to be modeling and competitive tasks. The teachers suggest that extended tasks be given to students to solve independently, and also the teaching of problem solving skills.
What students said
- Homework takes between 20 minutes to an hour for students to complete the homework given to them.
- Homework is done in the library, at school or at home.
- Most of the homework subjects can be done independently but geography, math and science sometimes require students to seek help from family members.
- Computer is utilized for among other things, research and typing homework.
- Group work is often restricted to pairs.
Pupils from group one stated that homework varies depending on the complexity of the questions given. This therefore could take between 20 to 60minutes to complete. Students complete their homework not only from home but also from the school and use computers for internet research and typing homework. Furthermore, group works done are mostly restricted to pair as opposed to large groups.
- The school makes them more responsible by providing them more technology lessons and discussions.
- Year 7 students get 10 homework each week or 3 per day.
- Most of the home work is done in school library after classes or during break time.
- Group work is only done in drama or music lessons or consulted when one is confused about the approach of the homework.
Group 2 students revealed that their school teaching methods made them more responsible and independent. This is by virtue of their many technology lessons which enable them to do independent research on internet, chat and also discuss. The average homework given to year7 is 3 homework per day which is done either at school or at home. Group work is rare but in lessons like drama and music it is obvious.
Common trends
- Homework is given each day of the week.
- Homework is done at school or at home.
- Computers are utilized in research and typing for homework.
- Most given homework is individual as opposed to group work.
- The homework given takes an average of 30 minutes to be completed.
The common trends observed are that homework are given on a daily basis, they are mostly done either at home or in school, they take 30 minutes and can be completed within 30 minutes.
Best Practices
- Daily provision of homework to students.
- Giving more technology lessons.
- Individual learning is encouraged while group work is restricted to pairs in most times.
The evident practices that are commendable include the daily homework given, the many technology classes offered to encourage individual research and also restricting group work to pairs.
Recommendations
Teachers ought to be trained and advised about independent learning.
Problem solving skills ought to be taught to students by teachers.
Extended tasks that require more individual learning ought to be given to students.
The homework given ought to be interesting to the student and entail many applications learnt in class.
The research ought to include more subjects next time, so as to have more accurate results.
To ensure that independent learning is promoted, teachers ought to be trained to teach solving skills to students and give extended tasks as homewo0rk. The homework ought to be interesting in that the student gladly researches on it and should capture on what is taught in class. The research would bring more accurate results if conducted with more subjects next time.
Conclusion
The key findings in this research (The questions asked and literature read)match my hypothesis that homework given to students develop them into independent learners.
In a nutshell, basing on the questions asked and literature reviewed, I think my hypothesis is well supported. According to my key findings, homework given to students consequently makes them more independent learners as opposed to group work or class work. My test on the researched school reveal that teachers ought to insist on homework for students as it promotes independence in learning.
Bibliography
Chopin, H. Homework: The Key to Independent Learning. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1997.
Cobb, J. Mission to Learn. Britain: Rutledge, 2009.
Lindsea, K. Independent Learning. UK: Word Press, 2010.
NDT Resource Center. Understanding Different Learning Styles. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001
St. Katherine’s school. Developing independent learning. UK: Word Press, 2010.