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Explanation of the purpose or reason for homework - Tricks for Good Grades: Strategies to Succeed in School. Also refer to remembering, retention, understanding, assignment, reading, problems, solving, information, knowledge, math, history, English, essay, writing, busy work, Internet, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Purpose of Homework

by Ron Kurtus (16 July 2006)

Teachers often give assignments consisting of reading, problem solving or writing that the students must do after class--usually at home. Ideally, the purpose of homework is to help reinforce what was taught in class. Sometimes it is gathering extra information above and beyond what was taught in class. Unfortunately, there are some teachers that don't understand the meaning of homework and give it as something to keep the students busy.

Questions you may have include:

• How does homework reinforce knowledge?
• What homework goes beyond what was taught in class?
• What is meaningless homework?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Reinforce knowledge

The teacher can provide information and explain the subject in class. The problem is that you typically will only remember 50% of the information you get by seeing and hearing explanations. Also, you may not completely understand the principles or facts involved. You need to apply that knowledge to really learn the subject.

For example, your teacher may explain how to solve a certain type of math problem in class. But unless you go home and solve a couple of problems yourself, you probably won't really learn or understand the method involved. By tomorrow, you may have already forgotten what was taught.

Likewise, your teacher may explain the reasons for the action of people in an historical event. When you read about the event, you will then pick up on what really happened and why.

Beyond taught in class

Sometimes teachers will only give an overview of material and assign reading to get the major part of the information. Then the next day, the teacher may answer any questions students may have or perhaps verbally quiz them on the material. History, English Literature and Sociology are examples of classes that require extensive reading outside of class.

The advantage of this is that much more material can be covered than what could be covered in class. The disadvantage to the student is that often questions aren't answered and there is no reinforcement to enhance remembering what was read.

If the homework includes writing essays or answering questions in the book on what was read, there is a degree of reinforcement. You need to apply what you have just read, and often that will help you remember and understand the material. Unfortunately, the only way your find out if you understood the material is if your homework is graded. But that doesn't explain it to you.

Meaningless homework

The worst type of homework is the type that is meaningless or just "busy-work".

It is popular for teacher assign students to look up some subject on the Internet and put together an essay on it. Many will find a number of resources and copy and paste the material without really reading or understanding it. All this amounts to is an exercise in using Google to find things.

Another type of homework is doing repetitive problems or solving puzzles that really don't add to your knowledge. Unfortunately, you may have to do this sort of nonsense to get a good grade in the class.

Summary

The purpose of homework is to help you learn what was taught in class or to gain information by reading and answering questions. One type is reinforcing what was taught in class, another type is studying beyond what was explained in class, and the third type is primarily meant to keep the students busy. In any case, it is necessary to do your homework--and do it well--to get a good grade in the class.

Answers to Readers' Questions

You learn by doing

Resources

The following are resources on this subject.

Websites

B.J. Pinchbeck's Homework Helper - Listing of over 600 homework-related sites; Impressive, but almost too much information

Homework Help - Homework tips; Can post questions and get answers

Good Grades Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Studying

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What is the main reason for getting homework after the teacher explained the material?

2. Why is reading homework often given?

3. What should you do about mindless or busy-work homework?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in School. If you had problems, look over the material again.

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