BDG0106 Summary & Practice

DESCRIPTION: Teachers who complete this lesson create meaningful lesson closure, which includes skill reinforcement aligned to the lesson’s learning target.

RESEARCH BASE: The research varies depending on what is being measured. Homework (assignments completed at home) have mixed research support. In research syntheses, Cooper (1989, 2006) found an average correlation between homework and achievement to be r = .19 (1989) and r = .24 (2006), which are weak. However, these correlations were more common in high school, with little or no correlation below grade six (Vatterott, 2009).

Providing reinforcement through purposeful practice has been found to achieve effect sizes of 0.42 (Dean, Hubbell, Pitler, & Stone, 2012) and 0.77 (Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001), which are moderate to strong. These results only occur when practice reinforces the learning target, is short, focused, and distributed over time, and includes feedback to students.

Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Patall, E. A. (2006). Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research, 1983-2003. Review of Educational Research, 76(1). 1-62. Retrieved from http://upload-community.kipa.co.il/819201525856.pdf

Dean, C., Hubbell, E. R., Pitler, H., & Stone, B. (2012). Classroom Instruction that Works (2nd Ed). Alexandria VA: ASCD.

Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom Instruction that Works (1st Ed). Alexandria VA: ASCD.

Vatterott, C. (2009). Rethinking homework: Best practices that support diverse needs. Alexandria VA: ASCD.

BACKGROUND:

The following are useful tools to better understand the topic:

Vaterott, C. (2010). Five hallmarks of good homework. Educational Leadership, 68(1). 10-15. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept10/vol68/num01/Five-Hallmarks-of-Good-Homework.aspx

Protheroe, N. (2009). Good homework policy. Principal (September, October). 42-45. Retrieved from https://www.teachit.so/index_htm_files/homeworkprotheroe.pdf

Carr, N. S. (2013). Increasing the effectiveness of homework for all learners in the inclusive classroom. School Community Journal, 23(1). 169-182. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1004337.pdf

Summary Through Assessment (video): https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/daily-lesson-assessment

LESSON OUTCOMES:

  1. Conclude each lesson with an instructive summary.
  2. Scaffold students’ learning toward successful independent practice.
  3. Design practice exercises that match the learning target.
  4. Assign effective independent practice for all learners.

RESOURCES:

Books

Vatterott, C. (2009). Rethinking homework: Best practices that support diverse needs. Alexandria VA: ASCD. http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Rethinking-Homework.aspx

Articles

Willingham, D. (2004). Practice makes perfect—but only if you practice beyond the point of perfection. American Educator. Spring Issue. http://www.aft.org/periodical/american-educator/spring-2004/ask-cognitive-scientist

Gartner, N. (2017). Are common beliefs about homework wrong? Issues in Lutheran Education. February 28. http://blogs.mlc-wels.edu/wels-educator/2017/02/28/are-common-beliefs-about-homework-wrong/

Berger, B. (2014). Elementary students do not require homework. Issues in Lutheran Education. January 15. http://blogs.mlc-wels.edu/wels-educator/2014/01/15/elementary-school-students-do-not-require-homework/

Kock, D. (2013). Homework: Purpose, value, and teacher’s role. Issues in Lutheran Education. November 15. http://blogs.mlc-wels.edu/wels-educator/2013/11/15/homework-purpose-value-and-the-teachers-role/  

Marzano, R. & Pickering D. (2007). Special topic: The case for and against homework. Educational Leadership. 64 (6). pp. 74-79. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar07/vol64/num06/The-Case-For-and-Against-Homework.aspx  

Videos

Efficient and Meaningful Homework Review: https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/making-homework-meaningful

Reinforcement: https://vimeo.com/208234697

Martin Luther College Courses

EDU8532 Rethinking Homework – 1 credit (continuing education)

EDU8509 Elements of Effective Instruction – 1 credit (continuing education)

EDU5109 Designing Effective Instruction – 3 credits (graduate)