Reply to Studies show Homework is Counterproductive... so why do we allow it??

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Reply to "Studies show Homework is Counterproductive... so why do we allow it??"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Of course it's true that the more you practice something, the better you will get at that activity. That is self-evident.
The problem is that after so many hours, you reach a point of diminishing returns where the marginal benefit you'd receive for another minute of math worksheets is less than the benefit you'd receive from doing something else that helps with brain development- exercise/sports, rest, eating, or building relationships with family and friends.
So you might get 1% better at math for doing another worksheet at 8pm. But you'd improve by 10% if you just stopped and went to bed. The brain needs time to rest and process everything it's absorbed.
The research DOES show benefits to homework at the high school level, but none at the elementary level. You may be right that the studies are not perfect. But until a perfect study is designed and the results are published, it is all we have. And it is possible to draw broad conclusions from a large body of imperfect studies. Such as the fact that we should not take for granted that excessive homework is always, 100% better. That is what the NEA has done- taken a moderate (if not evidence-based) approach of recommending 10 minutes a night per grade that balances the perspectives of both sides of this debate. 
[/quote]

Thank you!  You explained this quite well, and it's disturbing to me that there are teachers on this thread that don't understand that.

No one is saying practice isn't important.  What the studies show is that additional practice in the form of homework is less effective for developing smart kids than other uses of the time at home.  Doing chores, exploring other interests, practicing the piano, playing with friends, getting to bed early - these all develop skills that are critically important for academic and mental success.

The soccer example a teacher posted above is exactly on target, even though she doesn't realize it.
It's NOT good for a child to only ever play soccer.  Evidence is mounting every day that the children who play one sport very intensely year-round have worse outcomes, mentally and physically, than children who play multiple sports.  Playing multiple sports develops other muscles and skills that will make you a better overall soccer player than if you had spent that extra time doing footwork drills.

Likewise, learning to cook a meal or exploring nature are going to make you a smarter and more competent adult than an extra essay will.[/quote]

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