Commentaries

Commentary Collection: Homework: A burden or learning tool?
 September, 2006

 Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning examined the topic of homework, wondering if it is a burden or learning tool? Guest Harris Cooper is a Professor of psychology at Duke University who has researched homework for many years.

MPR wonders what parents, teachers, and students think. Should there be a limit on how much homework students do? These are some thoughts on the matter, read them and share your perspective, too.


I don't always know how much homework is needed at what age, but I do know from experience that not taking work home to study can really hurt when you go on to college level. In the 1970's my high school used a block system which meant we were usually in class 90 minutes. Obviously, very few teachers taught the full hour. Therefore, what would have been homework was done in class with the instructor and other students to help. An honor student in high school, I went on to college and struggled because I didn't learn the studying skills I needed for that level of education.

Karen Zander
New Richmond, WI



I do believe that parents should teach their children how to study even before they start getting homework. Turn off the television and encourage kids to focus on learning and projects at home.

Rosemary Ugboajah
Minneapolis, MN



This is not specifically about homework, but using school skills. A week or two ago someone was interviewed about students and math, and deplored the everyday comments from adults in leadership roles, comments that put down their own knowledge of or interest in math.

At the very end of this morning's show, your guest said that he used to encourage older siblings to help the younger kids, especially with algebra...implying that he wouldn't have been any help with algebra. One more adult inadvertently making the point that he is succeeding in the world without algebra.

Ellen McEvoy
St. Paul, MN
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