The Atlantic, published Joe Pinsker’s article “The Cult of Homework: America’s devotion to the practice stems in part from the fact that it’s what today’s parents and teachers grew up with themselves.” March 28, 2019.
So what is the value of homework? After sharing this article and speaking to a couple of teachers who have had experience in both the primary, secondary education the responding answer seems to be “it depends.” From an adult learner lens the focus, I believe, shifts from one of value to purpose. More often I see work for work sake or work as a means to get the learners to achieve some other result. If they answer these questions then they might learn and understand more about a specific subject area.
Take a read for yourself. Joe has some compelling thoughts. As with many ideas, placing them into action is harder than one might expect. But as one principal said to me over dinner, perhaps it is not the experience of teaching for over 25 years that hinders some rather the teaching for only three years, repeated for 22 additional years that is the larger problem.
Enjoy.
