HW#13: HOME WORK

If we define homework, it is said to be tasks that are assigned to reinforce the student's knowledge outside the school hours; frequently done at home.This mean that it includes take home seat works, exercises, practices, research, answering and such. With just mentioning that, it is already too tiring, what more if it is the real thing which you are already doing. But you are fortunate enough if your "homework"is the only thing you need to do after school. What if there are other things like house chores, church activities, part time job or sports training? Wouldn't that be a suicide?

Given all the things you should be doing after school plus the never-ending homework, is it even possible to accomplish all in a day. Given that the day only has 24 hours and 8 hours already spent inside the classroom. How many hours are left? 16 hours? Is it enough? -- Mission impossible!

These factors affect the approach of students towards homework. Which is a possible reason why the 'homework' today is turning to be ineffective. Homework plus "Home Work" is way too much for students to handle. Some teachers tend to assign many homework disregarding the other things that a student will also be doing.

Conducting interviews and surveys confirmed this theory. That some, means not all cases, teachers give out too much homework that students can't manage to finish it because of other things that they shall be doing -- this  includes church activities, extra-curricular activities, and leisure/family time.

HW#12: Not a Big Deal

In every school year, the first day has always been the introduction day. A very boring day, for some, to keep on introducing yourself to your classmates who already knew you; and your teachers who does not really care in any single word you've blabbering in front of the class.

How ironic life is, right? Well, other than the non-stop introduction speeches you gave is the presentation of study plan; what we don't usually paying attention to is to how the percentage of our grades are computed. Which is a big factor that will impact our academic life the whole school year. And now that I finally took attention with these percentages, I've noticed that the part most us students exert effort most is where the percent have been allocated small. I'm talking about homework. As time, effort, and resource consuming as it is; the smaller it is in the percentage of the final grade. Why is that so?

Majority can say that one of the things that students spent time and effort is in doing homework but have you ever notice it's very small part on your grades? It can be as small as 2% which is I think is a very small portion as an exchange to all the efforts we've exerted in accomplishing it. Isn't that unjustifiable?  If the homework's purpose is also to help students achieve much higher grades because it's easier than test, exams and seat work given; therefore, it's the students last haven. So they exert so much effort in doing homework. But if the percentage is that small, maybe it's one of the reason why the effectiveness of homework is not present nowadays.

As a student, if you think you're efforts aren't gonna have any gain to you then might as well just turn it down. If your a student and there are lots of homework assigned to you considering it's only a small part of your grades, why would you try to burden your self if you won't lose or gain much? One reason why student's don't do homework -- law of reciprocity not much evident.

Conducted my research, I've surveyed some of my block mates and I did saw the answer to why they don't like homework. The respondent said it's just a small part of the grade so they didn't like homework. As a block mate of theirs, I know what kind of homework was being assigned to us. College students don't get homework like high school students does. What we have are those very complicated ones. Not that it is just hard but also the quantity is twice as much than when we it was in high school.

So if I were to ask you, would you still do something you won't be gaining much? If you'll just lose a little just to avoid making too much effort, won't you take that chance?

HW#11: Homework Triggers Students to Cheat

They say that if people were left unsupervised, how they act or how they behave is being affected. People tend to behave on what they think is right and not what they normally should be behaving. As what one of my  professor, who is also a psychologist, had shared with us; it's a human nature. Whenever people are being observed they tend to act differently than if they were left in a room with no one supervising them. Which only means that they perform task better if being watched. Sometimes if they are not supervised they tend to do bad things like slacking, doing unrelated stuffs, and even fraud things.

The bad thing about this scenario is that it did not just start in a single snap but it started while a person is still young. For some reasons, it is very common to all that it seems to be already socially accepted by everyone and with that, this bad behavior is being acquired.

In school this is very evident and present. As young as a student can be, this trait can be observed already. The most common example is the issue in homework. Since homework, as assigned to be done at home, is a task that is not being supervised. As what is said in the beginning of this article, a person acts differently if left unsupervised. Unfortunately regarding on how differently they do, it is more of in the negative aspect.

As what students usually does, stated on the existing research done abroad, when they were assigned homework -- they cheat. Students tend to cheat in many different manners. They can plagiarize and just copy paste whatever they can find in the internet or let other people do their homework. Mostly, they ask their elder siblings, parents or even a classmate to do their homework. Looking at this scenario, it totally thrown away the purpose of homework and worse, gave students a chance to cheat.

High School Students Admit they Cheat to Get Their Homework Completed is a compilation of different confessions of students that they admit cheating with their homework. A person told that they did it for survival. Since, they did not learn much on the classroom and for fear that they will flunk out or to have good grade -- cheating is the easiest way to take.

I, myself, also conducted some research (interviews and survey) as if these situation does apply in the Filipino students. Sadly, it is does present as it is in the other countries. They have shared that if they don't know what to do with the homework, instead of just helping them, their parents or siblings does the entire homework for them. A respondent also shared that with their other classmates, some bribes or pay their fellow student to do a homework for them.

With homework as a school work that has to be done unsupervised at their homes, the whole goal of the homework was somehow proven unattainable. If students will only cheat their school works every time they were not being watched by their teachers then might as well let the whole concept of homework be disregarded. If homework cannot help students at all but rather gives them negative effects, let homework be removed in all students curriculum.

HW#10: Survey Report

After gathering data as basis of the survey, the researcher picked out the right questions that can suffice the important factors that can verify whatever studies done abroad and know whether it is also applicable to Filipino students. The survey's respondents were all accounting students of the same block. The researcher made it sure that the answering of the surveys were simultaneous as to make sure that if there's clarifications regarding the questions it can be easily addressed; also, to monitor all the respondents and to make sure the preciseness of the result. The researcher also did some interviews also with some of the students in the block and also other students from other school. The difference with the questions in interview and in the questionnaire is that the in the interview the questions were more specific like the issue of homework concerning bullying, achievement tests related question, cheating, and effects on the attitude of students.

In the first question, 94% of the respondents said that they don't like homework because of the following reasons: the homework is the same thing with the things lectured in class that it already seemed redundant, they were already tired and all they want to do at home is to rest and other outside school activities, they were too lazy to do it, the homework assigned was too much in number, and the task is too stressful.

On the second question, the respondents didn't have any pattern on the way they have answered the item. The rates were all random except for the research assignment in which majority rated the most difficult of all and for the group assignment rated as the least most difficult in general.

The third question resulted 87.5% of the respondents said to spent more than thirty minutes and from those 14.29% spent more than five hours. Only 12.5% of the respondents answered that they spent less than half an hour in doing their homework.

In the fourth question, only two respondents said that homework isn't helpful with their studies. The rest of the respondents answered that homework does help them in their lessons. The reasons that have been cited are: because it does reinforce the information they have learned from the lectures in school, because it makes them advance in the lesson, because it assess them and also the teacher on what they have learned, because it recalls them on the past lessons, and because it initiates them to further search about the subject.

On the fifth question, majority of the respondents did have experienced not finishing or not doing it at all. They said it is because the homework was difficult, they did not understand the question, they do not know the answer, they have other task to do, they were too tired and sleepy to do it, and some said they were too lazy to do it and that their time wasn't managed well.

The last question was the part were the respondents were to give suggestions as a substitute to homework if they are not in favor with it. Since most respondents didn't like homework, many had answered this question.  but they all had almost similar answers. Some answers were to limit the days when homework should be assigned (like M-W-F) or let homework be not required. But the answer of most was to replace homework by more seatwork or activities, hands-on done at class so that it doesn't needed to be brought to school and also for the teachers to supervise the students to prevent cheating and tardiness.

In conclusion, with the result of the survey, the answers that the researcher have been expecting did came out. Most students didn't like homework and the reasons that they have stated are just like the findings from what the results are in foreign research. Although there is a little part where the findings had difference from the studies abroad is that Filipino students does find homework to be useful in their studies. That although they do not like homework it does help them in a way that they were reinforced with information, by the means of homework, after the class discussion. But all in all, the results of the survey almost did matched the expected results by the researcher.

HW#9: Types of Homework

Which would you prefer; a hundred pages of story to read, a ten chapter review to answer, a research and experimentation making, a project model of a structure, or a whole unit to be presented? Isn't it all a suicide task? If any of those were assigned to you with a very short period of deadline, I know some will just give up. Specially, if the kind of task assigned to you is the type that you've hated the most. So for example you hate to read and you were assigned to read a whole book as a requirement, most probably, you wouldn't finish the ask or just totally bail on it.

Numbers of homework had been assigned on students since the very first time they've entered school. There is these "read a story" or "draw something". Of course the "defining the terms" assignment is a usual kind also. But as we all know, each student has a preferred type of homework. And also, preference on what kind of assignment to be assigned is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of homework.

There are three main types of homework according to New South Wales Department of Education and Training: practice exercises, preparatory homework, and extension assignments. As what is said on the document created by the institution mentioned above, the three types of homework were defined as the following :

• Practice exercises let students apply new knowledge or review, revise and reinforce newly acquired skills. Examples of such exercises are memorization of mathematical tables, practicing spelling words, essay writing and reading for pleasure.

• Preparatory homework where students gain background information on a unit of study to better prepare them for future lessons, for example, reading and collecting geometric shapes.

• Extension assignments encourage students to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively. Assignments might include writing a book review, researching local news or retrieving items from the Internet. 

If all the different homework were to be classified in these three main types it would all fall on a particular type. Like all the math/science/English activities and exercises will fall on the the "practice exercises" type of homework. While those advance reading assignments, defining of terms for the future discussion falls on the "Preparatory homework" type. Lastly, all those tasks that needed further researching, additional activities for other information belongs on the "Extension assignment" type.

All different types of homework, if analyzed, have different goals and agendas to be met after each tasks were to be finished. A type aims to practice the student on what they have learned from the lesson and for them to be polished in all the parts of the lesson The other type goals to make students prepared for the incoming lectures; a brief overview on what will the lesson be about. While the other type's purpose is to add up more info that has not been included in the discussion proper. 

As what has been aforementioned, type of homework is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of homework. All types have different approach on the lessons and also with the students. Each types also serves different purposes to be achieved after each assigned homework. These little details should be given much attention when deciding what homework should be assigned to make sure that all efforts will be worth the prize. 

Effectiveness is a must!

HW#8: Intended Purposes of Homework

Homework is a usual task to all students. It's like a common thing when you're at school. After the class bell rung, it is certain that there would be take home activities or list of task to be done at home; as a school extension of things not done in school. Dictionary meaning of homework is, as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary, an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular class period. In simple words, a task done not in school but usually at home -- maybe that is why it is called as homework.

I've been doing lots of homework ever since I started going to school. Then approximately, maybe I've done at least thousands of homework but the thing is, I never thought of knowing what are the purposes of homework really are. 

I have done research and I found this discussion paper entitled "HOMEWORK: What are the upsides and downsides?" and realized the purpose of why homework was designed. I found some obvious aims of homework and also those unexpected purposes that had never crossed my mind. The researcher compiled the idea of another researcher named Epstein that came up with The Ten Ps of homework. Each purpose was elaborated according to my understanding.

• Practice – With homework, all the things that had been discussed in the classroom can be put into practice. By doing exercises based on the day's lesson, students can apply what they have learned from the lecture.

• Preparation – Homework makes students be ready on the next lessons to be tackled. If there are things not yet that clear, assignments can clarify these questions and make them able to move on to another topic the next meeting.

• Participation – Although not all students are that active in participating in class, homework can force them to do so. Despite of some students being passive about it they will be required to participate in the discussion with the help of homework.

• Personal Development – With a task like homework being assigned on students it can create a sense of responsibilities among the students. They can acquire some competent study skills, giving attention in following direction and being conscious about the limited time given to finish the job. Also, with the grades given to each homework, the can boost their confidence by excelling some activities and having achievements through homework. Various activities assigned can open opportunities to students to explore and improve talents and skills.

• Peer Interactions – Group tasks or homework can able students to collaborate wit each other and compare and share new ideas for the benefit of all. Working with a team also creates a good "teamwork" skill in all students. 

• Parent-Child Relations – Homework can serve as a window for the parents and the students to have a good communication with each other and exchange ideas for the learning purposes.They can share ideas about expectations, school and how to apply the things they learn in real life. Also, this can be a means for the parents to give positive remarks for their children.

• Parent-Teacher Communications  –  Homework does also bridges teachers and parents. With homework, teachers can fill in parents on the learning progress of their children and how and what are they learning so far.

• Public Relations – A motivation is sometimes what homework is being assigned to. As to state that the school has a high standard to the families of the communities and one of its requirements is to accomplish these tasks or activities.

• Policy  –  Some are already a part of policy and that schools are required to accomplish a certain task or activity as ordered by an educational institution. 

• Punishment – Homework can also be served as punishment to students who lacks focus and attention in studying or when in class. Common example is writing some lines or essays on how to behave properly in class. But this purpose is not that accepted or rather in appropriate because as said in the discussion paper: "It serves merely as an exercise of teachers’ power to use up students time, with a negative focus on behavior rather than learning."

Given all the said intended purpose of homework, gave much clearer view of what homework and what it is for. As for my all the research I've currently done, homework seems to fail in meeting its aim and purpose. For according to some of my data, homework can result to the opposite of what is the intended outcomes should be.

Why are the adverse results occurring in spite of the positive intentions of how the homework is actually designed? The question that remained unanswered for the years of research done about the matter. The only thing sure is that there are lots and lots of factors and they kept on stacking and increasing as long as there are changes in our educational system -- as long as change is present the hunt for the answer in the question will always be left unclear. The thing we can only do is to catch up on these changes as close as we can possibly be.

HW#7: A Teachers Excuse.

"Okay class, were going to open a new topic next meeting. So, I'll be giving you a homework to have an overview and for you to learn in advance the lessons." -- have you ever heard of a line something like this? Your teacher asking you to define terms, search for a number of people, read about a process and such. Isn't that one of the most worse things you could ever heard of? But wait, there's more. "..and there would be a lucky person to report the lesson for us. So be ready." Okay, great! somebody will be a teacher for tomorrow. Weird, isn't it? I even remembered once that a teacher asked  us to do an assignment like this, a prior research about a science thing and she gave a book and instructed us to use that as our only reference -- the reference; her teachers' manual.

Isn't it weird that a teacher will lend a student his/her own manual which should only be used by teachers; to be used as an aid and a guide on what to teach to their children. I think, the reason they do that is for them to lessen their tasks and transfer their work in students. In that way, they won't have to worry about making anymore visual aid (notes/lesson) to give to their students and won't sweating too much in discussing the lesson; since they already have assigned students to do that and to figured those things for themselves.

They used these homework for their own benefit and not for the good of the students which is a very sad situation in our country's educational institutions. Not all teachers have this kind of intention, but we cannot also say that this is not true, for somehow it is really present in the school today. This homework is just an excuse -- that's how I see it.

This kind of assignment is an excuse themselves from their responsibilities. But what they don't know is that instead of helping their students to be independent and to learn by themselves they may lead them to a misdirection. Without much guidance of teachers on their students this is a dangerous risk for the children's learning. Teachers should always practice professionalism and consistency in spite of any other outside factors. As like what the article The Arguments Behind the Professionalization of Teaching, it can be detrimental to students. If they will just keep on assigning things to students and let them discussed things on their own. They can have misleading understandings that can only be aided if the teachers full supervision is given.

Homework is not really the worst thing in the world, but its promised benefits seem to be too good to be true. That some people abuses the concept of it, and take the opportunity to do something for their own interest. This leads to permanent imprint on people’s mind, as what had happen to this scenario. Teachers, as one of the most influential people on students, shouldn't be one of those who take advantage of homework. As to set example on their students; teachers, themselves shouldn't be the first one who uses things like homework in something it's not created to be used as.

HW#6: Unnoticed Source of Bullying

Everyday it's a usual situation that teachers give tons and tons of homework. The more the students complain about it, the more they assign additional homework and the much complicated ones. So, better keep yourselves silent  to prevent much more burden. But regardless of those extra torments, the original amount of work already assigned is too much to handle that is why some students just give up and not do it anymore. But the worst thing that they can do is to scare and force a classmate. a schoolmate or anyone that the bullies think is smart enough to do the homework.

I never did believe in this scenario, for I thought it was just in movies in which is a product of imagination with some exaggeration that this thing are being done. Until, a friend and classmate shared me an experience that is just like this. My friend told me how the bully threatened them, which means there were many others, to do his homework or else, he will hurt them.

Bullying is very much evident in schools from primary to middle and even in high school level. Means, age is not an issue to bullies. If they can see an opportunity to abuse someone, they'll grab the chance to do so. Unfortunately, this chances includes homework-- a thing that is considered as a frequent task given to students. Isn't that scary for your siblings, your niece, your nephew or your own child? You didn't even know that as simple as homework; triggers the chance of them being bullied.

I've read about an article in titled Ninth-Grader Bullied for Homework that stated a story about a student being bullied because of homework. The parent of the child asked an expert on what to do about the situation. The story goes like this. The student is a consistent honor student and loves school, which may be the reason why the bully chose him/her as a target to be bullied. The victim didn't ever told his/her parents' about it, until his/her cousin saw what happened. The bully threatened the kid to not forget to do his/her homework. When the parents confronted their child, he/she told not to report the incident in the school and to forget about it. The parents did consider what their child said and the opinion of the expert said a different action to do.The adviser Connie Collins, a professional school counselor, told them that their child needed the help of the school. A teacher or faculty member or anyone that can be trusted to tell the situation of the student. That even if not directly, the school should find out what is happening to the kid.

I do not blame the concept of homework in being a cause of bullying, but the sad reality is that kids does bully others because of homework. The whole purpose of homework is being trashed in this situation. Not only it does not help students to have a positive academic impact, but it rather gives other student an opportunity to abused. If homework is not much of a help in totality, then it should be fully taken away from the schools' curriculum. With this, at least, the doors for bullying can be lessen a little.

Being bullied is one of the most traumatic scenarios that a child can ever experienced in being a student. It just starts to be just nothing until, without noticing it, it leads to bad effects on students -- depressed, paranoid and even suicide. Sadly, this said helpful thing, homework, is one of the sources of bullying. You ma not know it or notice it, but it is really a big deal. What to do? Think about it. What would you do?

HW#3: Survey Questions

EFFECT OF HOMEWORK ON FILIPINO STUDENTS

Name (Optional): ______________________________________    Age: _____________

School: ______________________________________________  Section: __________

This survey is not required for your class. If you choose not to complete this survey, your grade in the class will not be affected in any way. Follow the given directions on each question as indicated inside the parenthesis after each question. Answer the questions as honest as possible. 

1. Do you like having homework? (Put a check mark on your answer) ___YES.   ___NO. 

•  Why or Why not?                                                 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. From 1-10 (10 as the most difficult), rate the following types of homework according to its difficulty.

              __ Reading Assignments (e.g. Essays, short stories, book report..)

              __ Written Activities/ Exercises (e.g. Math problems, science activities..)

              __ Research (e.g. definition of terms)

              __ Group Assignments

              __ Individual Assignments

3. How much time do you spend on doing all your homework? (Put a check on your answer.)

                __ 0 minutes/hours (I don't do my homework at all)

                __ 10 minutes - 30 minutes

                __ 40 minutes - 60 minutes

                __ 1 hour - 4 hours

                __ more than 5 hours

4. Is homework helping you on your lessons? (Put a check mark on your answer.)

     ___ YES. ___ NO.

•  Why or Why not?                                             ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Have you ever experienced not finishing or not doing your homework? 

     ___ YES. ___NO. (If yes, state the reasons why)

•  Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What suggestions can you give on how to improve the "homework system" or (if you're not in favor with homework) substitute to homework that you can recommend?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HW#2 : Time Out on Homework

One week of only two to three hours of sleep and yet what you've done is not yet enough or the output has so much errors in it because there is no more time to edit your work. The reason? Well, some teachers often just assign and assign lots of task and give a short period until the deadline. Have they ever considered if there are other teachers in other subjects who have done the same? Imagine all your subjects having lots of homework, projects, exams, practicums and others things all due at the same time? Who could ever accomplish all that? I may say we need a miracle.

It is said that this "sufferings" all has a purpose and in the end we'll get something useful and beneficial to us. But is this applicable in all cases? I don't think so. Like in homework, the more you get the more you'll get from it? The harder ones you get, the bigger benefits you'll obtain? Do you think so? But according to most students it doesn't really helps them but rather adds up to their pile of problems and the main 'cause of their daily dose of stress. An assumption of students which is supported by some research conducted.

According to research, piling too much homework on kids doesn't improve test scores instead it can even lower the test result. Besides the negative effect on students like being stressed, fatigued; now an effect on academical aspect of a student is an absolute NO!

This article in titled Too Much Homework Can Lower Test Scores, Researchers Say, is an article to read if you're also curious about this matter. Just an overview of this article and just some highlights, it says that homework can make the results of a student's test much lower as the title says itself. The author also noted some research he compiled that no more than 15 minutes should be spent on doing homework as suggested by the researcher. Also, stated there is that there better ways to spend those time allotted on doing homework to other much beneficial activities like playing musical instruments or joining sports team or school clubs.

According to my understanding, what the article is trying to point out is that too much time is spent on doing homework. And that too much doesn't lead to anything good rather bad outcomes. So instead of spending this time on a thing wherein students tends to just suffer rather than benefiting, spend it to something with much more sense activities. Activities where students can have a time out on all school works a\but still can acquire knowledge to.

We should have the right balance of everything. Remember, even too much of a good thing is also bad for us. Then, maybe same as goes with studying and homework. We can't just be studying all the time. There should also be time for our interest and improving our skills. With that, we can maximize our time without sacrificing or obtaining much bad results on us. Learn but at the same time, have some time for something you'll have fun and enjoy doing. And that, that is a time well spent.

HW#1: Background of the Survey

I. Overview of Research Paper

Within the seven weeks given for us to search about our topic, I've collected adequate number of information that I myself had never know about my topic. My topic, homework, is a very common issue that is discussed  by students. But since there are lots of obvious facts on homework. This research paper will focus on the reasons why the negative effects observed on students were very evident.

So far, I've finished the first part of my research paper. The first chapter where the introduction of my research is shown. With regard to the articles and data I've gathered, I've already searched about the misconceptions about homework, what are the different adverse effect of homework besides insufficient presence of academical benefits (e.g. Family conflicts, stress, disinterest in learning..), purpose of homework, some substitutes on homework, and some explanations why homework doesn't meet it's said purposes.

 The next part of my research process is the distribution of survey questionnaires to my chosen respondents. And to find more information to support my studies. Also, continue to search about the data I've already gathered because there are still unclear and unanswered parts in my study.

II. Survey Questions.

My Survey will be composed of six questions consisting of different types of question. There would be a yes or no question, essay type and rating items. The first question will be asking if whether the student likes having homework this particular question is important for it will tell if Filipino students like homework or not. In this question, the respondents will state their reasons on why they have that perspective towards homework. This is a huge part on my research 'cause it will be the basis of the effects and the different assumptions of Filipino students on homework. 

Next, is the rating of the different homework on how difficult it is.Finding out which type of homework students find difficult will show how students struggles on doing the most common types assigned by teachers. Also, this question will show what type of homework they most preferred to have. Knowing these factors will help me to know how "type of homework" affects Filipino students. 

The third question will ask the respondents on how much time they spent doing their homework. It is important to know how much time an average student spends in doing homework for it will be foundation on why the said effects of homework were evident on students (according to research too much time were being allocated in doing homework results to much adverse effect on students). It can somehow show why students tends to see homework as a stressing task and other negative connotations on the matter. This question can also strengthen my findings if the result  of this survey question will have the save outcome as on the foreign conducted studies I've found. 

The fourth question will be asking if whether homework does help them when it come to studying. To know the point of view of Filipino students towards homework, if it is either beneficial or not. Foreign research shows that according to students it's not beneficial a all. But these findings are not automatically applicable in a local basis, so this question will verify if the same results will also be observed.

The next question will be asking for the respondents experience if they had ever skip doing homework or having an incomplete work.This question will answer another question "Why students tends to have negative attitude towards homework?" which is a very important part of my research. This survey question will also show other factors why homework is not effective.

The last question will be asking for the respondent's idea on what can substitute homework if the find it ineffective. This question is a very essential part of my study for this will show what (Filipino) students wants for their own beneficial. If what improvements can they suggest as what they can observed to what homework gives them. In this part, they can also recommend other alternatives on homework that will be more effective than the usual homework.

III. Prediction

With my six question about homework and it's effect I'm expecting a general answer from the respondents. For what I have been observing also based on all my research, the homework's good points was being outnumbered by the negative things that it gives to a student. I am expecting the answers like it is too much, it is not necessary for it is already learned at school. In short, I'm expecting the same answers from the what are from the studies abroad in spite of the different settings, cultural differences, and other factors.

Survey Questions

I. Overview of Research Paper

Within the seven weeks given for us to search about our topic, I've collected adequate number of information that I myself had never know about my topic. My topic, homework, is a very common issue that is discussed  by students. But since there are lots of obvious facts on homework. This research paper will focus on the reasons why the negative effects observed on students were very evident.

So far, I've finished the first part of my research paper. The first chapter where the introduction of my research is shown. With regard to the articles and data I've gathered, I've already searched about the misconceptions about homework, what are the different adverse effect of homework besides insufficient presence of academical benefits (e.g. Family conflicts, stress, disinterest in learning..), purpose of homework, some substitutes on homework, and some explanations why homework doesn't meet it's said purposes.

 The next part of my research process is the distribution of survey questionnaires to my chosen respondents. And to find more information to support my studies. Also, continue to search about the data I've already gathered because there are still unclear and unanswered parts in my study.

II. Survey Questions.

1. Do you like having homework? (Put a check mark on your answer.)   ___YES.   ___NO. 

•  Why or Why not?                                                   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This particular question is important for it will tell if Filipino students like homework or not. In this question, the respondents will state their reasons on why they have that perspective towards homework. This is a huge part on my research 'cause it will be the basis of the effects and the different assumptions of Filipino students on homework.

2. From 1-10 (10 as the most difficult), rate the following types of homework according to its difficulty.

              __ Reading Assignments (e.g. Essays, short stories, book report..)
              __ Written Activities/ Exercises (e.g. Math problems, science activities..)
              __ Research (e.g. defintion of terms)
              __ Group Assignments
              __ Individual Assignments

Finding out which type of homework students find difficult will show how students struggles on doing the most common types assigned by teachers. Also, this question will show what type of homework they most preferred to have. Knowing these factors will help me to know how "type of homework" affects Filipino students.

3. How much time do you spend on doing all your homework? (Put a check on your answer.)

                __ 0 minutes/hours (I don't do my homework at all)
                __ 10 minutes - 30 minutes
                __ 40 minutes - 60 minutes
                __ 1 hour - 4 hours
                __ more than 5 hours

It is important to know how much time an average student spends in doing homework for it will be foundation on why the said effects of homework were evident on students (according to research too much time were being allocated in doing homework results to much adverse effect on students). It can somehow show why students tends to see homework as a stressing task and other negative connotations on the matter. This question can also strengthen my findings if the result  of this survey question will have the save outcome as on the foreign conducted studies I've found. 

4. Is homework helping you on your lessons? (Put a check mark on your answer.) __ YES. __ NO.

•  Why or Why not?                                               ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To know the point of view of Filipino students towards homework, if it is either beneficial or not. Foreign research shows that according to students it's not beneficial a all. But these findings are not automatically applicable in a local basis, so this question will verify if the same results will also be observed.

5. Have you ever experienced not finishing or not doing your homework?  __ YES. __NO. (If yes, state the reasons why)

• Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This question will answer the question "Why students tends to have negative attitude towards homework?" which is a very important part of my research. This survey question will also show other factors why homework is not effective.

6. What suggestions can you give on how to improve the "homework system" or (if you're not in favor with homework) substitutes to homework that you can recommend?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This question is a very essential part of my study for this will show what (Filipino) students wants for their own beneficial. If what improvements can they suggest as what they can observed to what homework gives them. In this part, they can also recommend other alternatives on homework that will be more effective than the usual homework.

III. Prediction

With these six(6) survey questions. I chose two(2) questions and these are predicted answers from my respondents. My answers will be based from the information I've already gathered from foreign studies and research.


4. Is homework helping you on your lessons? (Put a check mark on your answer.) __ YES. ✓ NO.

•  Why or Why not?    

            In sometimes, it does help but most of the time it does not because of a number of reasons. Like I've already learn enough about the topic and the I think the homework is not that necessary already. Another is that there are too much homework or sometimes it's too hard that no one on our home does know it and it just ending me up too tired physically and mentally. Not only I am stressed but also my family members because it sometimes creates conflict around us.

(This answer is what I'm predicting to have. First, it has been my experienced and all other people that I known -- friends, classmates, siblings. Also, it is what is stated in most of the research done in the other countries which I'm assuming can be also true to Filipino students regardless of cultural differences.)                               

5. Have you ever experienced not finishing or not doing your homework? ✓ YES. __NO. (If yes, state the reasons why)

• Why?

       Because there are too much homework assigned to do for the day and there are other more things I need to do for the day. The 24 hours of the seemed to be not enough and I already have to sacrifice my time to rest just to finish as much homework as I can but there would be times that I can't finish it anymore because I'm too tired already.

(This answer is what I'm expecting the most. Based on my current research this is the commonly stated reason why students can't or don't do there homework. Work overload.)

Homework, Homework and Homework Again.

Have you ever told yourself any of these lines: "Oh! A homework. Yey me!", "I have a homework. This is awesome." or "Please teacher give us homework." Well, as for me, never in my life I said or even dared to utter those words for who even wants homework and second, all my classmates will kill me. But the thing is, why is these situations seems to be impossible to happen? A student liking to do homework.

The obvious answers will be like: "It's much fun just to watch television, play computer games, hang out with my friends than to go study AGAIN and do homework" or "I've been in the school all day in every five days of a week then in my own home, I'll still go study and make things much harder for myself." But dear students, homework can really help you in the future big time. Though it may not be academically but in other things like skills.

As what parents and teachers most often tell students, "It's a great investment for the future". And these saying, I do agree and disagree. Why because it is true for it has really good results for students but also false for it creates a sort of negative outcomes with regards the students' attitude.

If  you're much curious about what I'm talking about try to read an article that I've just read it is titled "Are you down with or done with homework?". It is a very interesting article for it is a compilation of different opinions about homework. And it may open or widen up your knowledge about this matter.

The overall message of the article is that it creates competency and preparedness on students. Since, we all know that everything in the future will be much complicated then this very hard task, homework will let you have a glimpse of what's to come. Alteast in the near future not everything will be much harder if you have already tasted a bit of this hardships.

That part is a good but the other point that is pretty much evident is the error of the parents. They sometimes bribe their children to do their homework. The conditions where the learners are only doing these task is because of a "luxury" bribe from their parents.

Parents can always make a way for their little ones to love homework but not in these way. The whole purpose of homework is just been thrown away. Bribery will only create a sense of greediness or maybe a start of being corrupted on students. If this will always be the way they'll do, might as well just let their children be not concern of homework anymore for they aren't learning anything good but being corrupt.

But the main issue is this, "What is the Roots of Why Homework Can't Be Effective?" A question I'll try to find answer. As I've learned different sides regarding this subject matter. I've seen that every party has an error to contribute and thus it should be made action because homework can affect everybody in every ways possible, isn't it?

Roots of Sour Attitudes and Wrong Mindsets

How many hours do you spend working on your homework? Ever went to school without even sleeping just to finish an assignment to be submitted the following day. A lot of students may have experienced this and even myself admits to have been through this situation. Isn't it too stressful and at the same time makes you fatigued both mentally and physically. But the question is, are they worth your efforts?

A typical student has a eight to ten subject for the whole year. Every subject sometimes has a different teacher. With these, teachers don't have the knowledge of what the other subject teachers are assigning to students which leads to a over work load for students.

Believing all the positive effects of homework, teachers assigned these as often and as much as possible. But what they do not know is that it really doesn't meet up the said benefits but rather promotes bad effects specially in the attitudes of the students.

I've read an article titled "The Myth About Homework" and my assumptions about homework had back-up my theories. This article shows how the academically related benefits are not being met up and just results to bad outcomes for the students.

Negative effect on students is that it can trigger a parent-child arguments. For as parents can always supervise their children with regard to homework 'cause it is being done at home. But the thing that parents sometimes do not pay attention is that children are sometimes too tired to do homework because of the day at school alone. The student tends to be stubborn which leads to a conflict between the child and their parents.

Also, with too much pressure being put on to students in addition with being stressed it pretty much leads to the worse effect on students, disinterest in learning. This is the point where students give up on the institution of learning. They started to think that their is no point in studying for they will just end up failing. This is probably the most tragic effect of homework to a learner.

The point of this stands is just try to consider all positions. Try not to be carried away on assigning things especially to children. We know that their understanding is not yet sufficient to understand all the things adults see in a thing; which means they need much more understanding. If they can't see any good on a thing do not force them to do it. Try to do it in a slow and gentle way because no positive outcome comes from a forceful input. Be reminded that children will always be children. Try to compromise instead of insisting what you only want. The students are the one's in need which means teachers and parents are the ones who should effort more in reaching out the learner. 

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study.

Homework helps instill knowledge and promotes better learning among students. As many of the studies done by researchers, constant practice or drills makes a student be much familiarize with the lecture and latter from there, it leads to an acquirement of skill. It is said that a frequent exposure of students in a topic that can help in the learning process as well as in making the lessons easier for the learner. Also, the said reason why homework tends to be such a hard task given by teachers in spite of the small percentage it partakes in a student's grade is because it serves as  a real-life example for in the reality everything is as complicated and as hard as what this task is implying. (http://www.helium.com/items/1525966-the-importance-of-homework)

Not only educational benefits but also intrapersonal skills are given by homework. With homework and assignments given at most times and not all is that simple to make, sense of responsibility and independence is observe throughout these activities. One of the reasons why teachers give challenging types of homework is not just to test the students' academic abilities but also to enhance the intrapersonal skills of the children. (http://www.helium.com/items/1310123-homework-is-essential)

As studied by numbers of researchers and experts, the positive outcomes tends to become unachieved anymore and much worse, there are more adverse effects outnumbering the said good results of homework on students. The studies show that the said positive outcomes that homework should be providing students are all but myths. Its negative effects over-rule students not only in the academically aspects but also psychologically, mentally and sometimes, physically. It tends to build up many conflicts like being stressed, mentally fatigued, frustration, family conflicts, lacking time for other activities or disinterest in learning. (http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/edweek/homework.htm)

Filipino students have a lot of negative assumption towards homework. Whenever students were assigned or given homework; mostly, they immediately considered it as a burden rather than a help or something that is beneficial. Students immediately jump into conclusions regarding this task without further knowing the effects of homework, specially the positive effects.

Other than the imprinted mentality of the students, one of the main reasons why most students tend to reject homework is that teachers do not regard their position. With all different subjects likely to assign numerous amount of homework in addition with home responsibilities and outside school activities, the given twenty-four hours in a whole day seems to be not enough to finish the entire task that students needed to be done.

           

Since, there have been numerous studies done abroad about homework, these foreign findings and studies should to be tested locally to prove the accurateness of these researches as a consideration on cultural differences. Given all the evident advantages and disadvantages of homework on students, this research focuses on the effects of homework on Filipino students.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1. What are the effects of homework on Filipino Students?

C. Significance of the Study

Students. Knowledge on both sides of the effects of homework may broaden a student’s understanding and correct misconceptions towards homework. Furthermore, the researcher hopes to open up new perspectives which can make some curious students interested on the subject matter and make similar studies for the betterment of the current educational status with regard to homework.

Parents. As the main guardian or forebearers of the students, learning information on how students were affected by homework maybe a considerable help. For homework is done at home, these tasks may greatly affect children or students in many aspects; parents can easily supervise the reaction and performance of their children. As parents, if these have adverse effect, this research can assist in ways to fix these problems.

Teachers and Professors. This research paper would benefit teachers and professors because information could be used to revise current lesson plans and activities for the greater benefits of students.

Future Researchers. This study will adequately help future researchers to make similar studies; since, there are still lots of concerns regarding the local educational system specifically, homework. There have also been many researches about this matter done on the other countries but because their findings cannot fully be proven true in the local setting; then, this study can encourage future researchers to further study about this subject matter locally. This research paper can also be utilized as a source of valuable data and information that is also based on other researches and studies.

D. Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses in the effects of homework on Filipino students. Homework is said to have number of benefits given to student; but in these times, it is also said to have more adverse effects than the positive outcomes. This research will try to find out reasons on why these said effects were experienced by students.

Due to time constraints, this study would point more on why negative effects outnumbers the positive effects of homework on students although both sides are still to be presented on the research paper. With this emphasis given, revisions, solutions, and recommendations can be given much attention and details. This study will only impart some factors and effects due to the limited time given to conduct research. Aside from time constraint, the respondents will not encompass all levels, for the respondents will mostly come from high school and college students. Another factor that limits the study is that primary data and information are generally proven only on a local setting.

E. Materials and Methods

This research will use a descriptive method since the researchers aim to describe and to discuss the effects of homework on Filipino students which are a subject matter that is an essential concern on the current educational system in the Philippines. This method is defined as "...method involving collection of data n order to test hypothesis or to answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study." (Gay 1976). With the aim of this method, descriptive method can be considered as an applicable approach for the study.

Information relevant to the study was gathered from various reference materials such as thesis and articles from online sources. Surveys and interviews on students were also done to gather more data and strengthen the findings of the research.

F. Definition of Terms

Assessment. Gathering information about the level of performance of individual students.

Comprehension. The way in which ideas are organized into categories.

Electronic Discussion Board. Computer discussion area where individuals can post messages and other individuals will respond at a later time.

Evaluation. Process of assessing work completed by an individual, group, or institution with the aim of determining whether the individual, group, or institution has meet predetermined standards.

Exercise. Problem, task or other activity aimed at developing or improving a person's skill or knowledge.

Handout. Typically a sheet provided to all members of group that contains vital information, a task to be completed, or other guidelines for an assignment.

Hypothesis. An assumption, interpretation, or guess based on currently available information.

Intrapersonal Skill. Ability to understand one's own emotions, goals, and intentions.

Knowledge. The facts and data of a subject.

Lecture. Sharing information with students verbally.

Lesson Plan. An outline of goals and objectives, activities designed to help students achieve those goals, and objectives and ways to assess whether students have actually reached those goals and objectives.

Mentor.  An experienced teacher who assists a new colleague.

Performance. The ability to effectively use new information in a productive manner.

(Sources: http://www.teach-nology.com/glossary/, http://www.teachervision.fen.com/pro-dev/new-teacher/48466.html?detoured=1)

When is Enough, ENOUGH?

School days are mostly from Monday up to Friday. Almost 72% of students' days in a week is spent on school. Every day, at least 6 to 10 hours per day were spent on school. If we estimate the total hours spent on school, inside the classroom, of an average student it can be about 45% of time a year. Do you think that's a worth of their time? Wouldn't there be other much better things to do with that allotted time? Not to mention, we're only talking about the time spent inside the classroom and the after school activities are not yet included. So, if we added that in the computation of the percentage on time spent in school and other related activities; the figures will be much higher and can even reach the 50% level which is for me is too much. Would you agree?

Look at this study on the percentage of students who spend number of hours in daily homework. We can see that our country, Philippines, has higher percentage on elementary students than on middle school students. What maybe are the reasons? Let's have a reflection about it. If you're a teenager or you have a teenager then try to picture out what maybe the reasons are.

DISTRACTIONS -- This maybe the answer why. Like the following: Side by side mall there; Online, arcade, and other types of computer related games; Social networking sites like Facebook and twitter: Texting and chatting; or other new leisure introduced to our generation today.

What can we do about it? Of course, when there is distraction try to regain their attention to what is important. If teachers cannot help students to aid these issue then, surely parents can with their children. All they have to do is to know what to do after, apply it.

This article that I've read can be the first steps to parents-children right teamwork onto homework making; Tips On Getting Your Teen To Do Their Homework. Explained with my own understanding, these are some ways cited on the article :

• Create an environment geared toward your teen. According to the article, put yourself on your teenager's shoe. After a long day at school, homework is the last thing they wanted to do. First, find where your children is most comfortable in your home to do their work and if possible, provide them all the things the might need with their school works. So, they won't have to worry to go look for things and just focus on what they must do.
• Pick a time and stick to it. Make a routine that your child will follow. It's much better if there is a agreed time on when to do homework, so that they won't have any reason to not do it. Also, give consequences. If they don't do their homework on the agreed time, it is understood that there will be a punishment.
• Don't let your teen overwhelm himself/herself. Too much of a good thing is still dangerous. Be reminded, that this teenagers are still teenagers. Too much pressure and workload is not good for their age. Never cross that line wherein making them to do too much can even cause something much worse.
• Now drop it! This means that parent's should be involve in making their child's homework or activities but limit it as much. Do not do any of their work. Parents' job is motivate, guide, and answer their child's question if there is.

There is a fine line between enough and too much. Teachers, students and even parents should take note on this matter. Having the right balance on things should always be observed even in the most smallest things like homework. Because an imbalance in something may lead to an irregularity on another thing which can be a domino-like effect and it'll be much harder to fix if many variables had already been affected. So, let's start from the bottom of things. Let's start from homework. 

=)

No Homework at all: A Wrong Move

A "No weekend homework" policy in the Philippines. Most students tends to rejoice about this and even I think it is an absolute pro-students policy. Imagine a whole weekend with no homework to worry, one of the many students' burden is finally lifted. It is like for the first time, the authorities have hear out our side -- a students' point of view. But is this move a good move?

Homework said to be an instrument that can further nourish a student's knowledge on a certain topic. But with this, being limitedly given, can this be a negative approach to our education's problems? We just disregarded all the said benefits we can get in having homework, for the leisure time given to students. Think about it, try to look at it from both sides.

I've talk to some people regarding this issue and it seems that most, pretty much agrees with it. The reason maybe behind these is that they are mostly students. So, to further learn on this issue, I read articles regarding it. One opinion caught my attention, she is not in favor with this policy; which is not usual. You can also read it in the "opinion" part of a famous broadsheet newspaper Manila Bulletin titled "Homework or no homework".

The reader named Ivy A. Asuncion, 29 years old and a mother of 3 elementary students, said that homework can be "counter-productive". If it can't fully give a education improvement then it will surely teach students good values and essential skills like time-management, resourcefulness, and independence.

Time management can be attained if a person can manage to efficiently finished all his/her tasks with still enough time for other things. In homework, like what is mentioned in the article, finishing it on time but still having time for extra curricular activities is an example of time-management. She also said that this is a great practice for the future. Because in the future, time management will really come in handy.

Students will also be resourceful and independent as what Ivy also mentioned. They will have to find answers for there assignment; thus, they will use different sources to aid their requirements. With that they will learn how to be resourceful. Being independent or can manage to do well alone can also be developed with the use of homework. The students aren't just gonna rely on their teachers to learn, but they also have to do efforts to know about the lessons or topic and this will encourage independence. This two skills, like the first mentioned, is needed especially in the so called "real world". These "organizational skills" will be a great help for the students in the future.

"Looking into the bright side of everything" is the best quotation I can relate on the this matter. Homework may look like to be just a pure suffering but as we try to look at in a different perspective, a different side we discover. I learned to appreciate the hidden benefits of this commonly complaint thing, that all we need to do is look at it much deeper. Like this skills and values that can be earned with doing homework, as I can see it, they are a great investment for the future. Then maybe we should learn to appreciate this thing more than to keep on complaining and moaning about it -- that is the right move that we should do.