By Laura Frykberg
An Australian academic says doing homework doesn't help primary school children learn more.
Professor Mike Horsley says it doesn't become a useful learning accessory until they're much older.
“There's really no learning gain in terms of homework, in other words, if we look at the amount of time kids spend on learning homework, if we wanted to increase that learning time there wouldn't be any learning gain,” says Mr Horsley of Central Queensland University.
Dr Horsley's is the co-author of a new book about homework which found the way it's currently set doesn't help students under-15 learn more, and it needs to be adapted to the modern age.
“The teachers should plan it in a different way so the other purposes of homework like self-managing your own learning and building these bridges between the home and the community can be achieved,” he says.
The acting principal of a Wellington primary school says many of her staff agree, the only homework they set reinforces learning in the classroom.
“If we send something home that is particularly relevant then we expect it to be done, and will ask for it to be done, but we are not going to set a homework sheet because we don't think that is relevant and it's not going to help those children,” says Kerry Annett, acting principal of Clyde Quay School.
But Dr Horsley isn't advocating abolishing homework altogether, he says it does help prepare students for later study.
3 News