Housework to become listed as homework

BY BETH CATLEY

An unconventional approach to homework is being trialled by at least one Nelson primary school, as principals throughout New Zealand grapple with conflicting viewpoints on the benefits of sending schoolwork home.

Enner Glynn School in The Ridgeway, Stoke, has introduced what it calls homework grids in some of its classes, which allow students to include tasks such as washing dishes or music lessons within a fortnightly list of homework tasks.

Principal Isaac Day said research by Auckland University education professor John Hattie questioning the benefits of homework had been one reason prompting the changes.

Professor Hattie found no evidence homework helped improve students' time management or study skills, and primary schools throughout the country have been considering ditching traditional homework methods in favour of new ways of doing things. Wellington's Karori Normal School has told parents pupils should read comics and the backs of cereal packets to improve their reading.

"Rather than homework being a drag on everyone's time, we're looking at making homework more inclusive," Mr Day said.

"One of the arguments against homework is it's not good in the family environment, because you tend to be able to opt out of family stuff, like doing dishes, etc. We're looking at ways to make sure that doesn't happen."

Including everyday tasks as homework taught children about the importance of participation and contributing, which were part of the national curriculum, Mr Day said.

It was also important homework was closely linked with students' classroom learning, he said.

The school was integrating the different methods and Mr Day said it was continuing to consult with parents about homework as part of an ongoing review.

Birchwood School principal Chris Herrick said his school was carrying out a review as part of its implementation of the revised curriculum, in which the future of homework would also be examined.

`Mr Herrick said he was not in favour of doing away with homework altogether. "I think the argument, to be honest, is between less effective homework and more effective homework."

Other Nelson schools contacted by The Nelson Mail were continuing to give pupils homework, although principals conceded sending work home was a "fraught issue".

Henley Primary School principal John Armstrong said how much homework, and what type, to give children was "fraught with difficulties".

"I don't like the idea of kids sitting down spending hours and hours on maths problems that they're getting frustrated with, where they would be better off working through those with a teacher, and sometimes it's difficult for parents who may not feel skilled in helping with a particular technique."

However, he believed helping with homework was a good way for parents to engage with their children's learning.

Mr Armstrong said that while Professor Hattie's research suggested homework was of little benefit, other studies had reached the opposite conclusion.

He would rather see children occupied with a small amount of useful homework than playing video games or watching television all evening.

St Joseph's School principal Mike Burton said while he "sat more in John Hattie's camp" , the school had consulted parents and most wanted homework for their children.

- © Fairfax NZ News