Are you sure about Homework?

This is an addition to the Philosophy page at TA where we look at common practices in education that may not always be the best practice. You can find similar posts under the "Are You Sure About..." section.

I have a vivid memory of a long discussion about Homework in a college education course that I took.

I argued discussed my point until I was blue in the face with an overwhelming sense that I was on an island. 

No one seemed willing to back me up. Then as I was walking to my car after class and the guy who sat next to me stuck around outside to let me know that he agreed with me.

(2 Quick lessons before we move on to the point I tried to make:) 

1. If you believe something stick up for it even when no one supports you
2. Get off the sidelines and stick up for what you believe...don't wait until after the game to tell the players that you rooted for them

So back to the point about homework...

• The stance of my class and most of the teachers I know personally
• Homework is a must for a student to obtain mastery
• Homework builds discipline
• Homework needs to be graded to balance out test scores
• It is a staple in every quality education

My Contingencies:

Homework is assigned to allow students to develop skills/understanding of content or material covered in class. 

So suppose for a moment that a student in your class doesn't need extra practice. Suppose they already know all of their multiplication tables or the events that led up to the Revolutionary War. 

Why then assign that student homework so they can regurgitate what they already know.

My stance is that homework is for those who need extra practice not everyone. (Sometimes the entire class needs homework but sometimes not)

Well it's not fair to assign homework to some students and not others!

Good point! 

Don't assign homework for a grade...provide homework as an option for those students who need extra practice. 

Then check for accuracy not for a grade.

Please never assign a grade of 100 for completion without even grading the homework and give 0's for the students who don't. 

What often happens is that you have students who didn't need extra help recieve 0's and students who quite possibly did the work incorrectly get 100's. (This practice really depreciates the validity of your class grades)

HOMEWORK = EXTRA PRACTICE

What do you think? Do you assign homework? Why?