Students' Perception on the Use of Homework for Learning

Abstract

Homework, or an additional or supplemental work after, above and beyond, class lectures, seat work, and recitations are an essential and necessary part of the learning process of education, to be guided and controlled by the syllabus and course outlines from preschool to college, even masteral or doctoral. Homework is defined as out-of-class tasks assigned to students as an extension or elaboration of classroom work. It is the school work that a student of a school is required to do at home (Cooper, 1989). For this study, qualitative research was utilized. The researchers took advantage of inductive thematic analysis for it tells us the experiences expressed by the participants from the population of Junior High School students of St. Mary's College Quezon City. The study had a total of ten informants, with 2 informants per level from Grades 7 to 10. One informant was chosen because he/she does homework religiously, while the other does not. The profile of the informants were identified through a pre-interview. Based on the responses, a mix of positive and negative feelings that the informants have regarding homework are seen. Some of the informants said that homework helps in recalling the lessons, while others said that doing homework is tiring. Based on the responses of the informants, the kinds of homework that they do appreciate more are the outputs that require them to use their creativity like drawings, powerpoint presentations, poetry writing, and such. In contrast to that, an occurring amountof responses from the informants pertains to them not wanting to do homework involving mathematical problems. Based on our informants, most of the responses said that doing homework is really tiring and requires a lot of effort, but some also said that itis very beneficial to them. The majority chose not to agree with the proposed No Homework Policy because they think that with homework, they have the chance to improve themselves academically. Students perceive homework as a helping tool for them. It is a helping tool that benefits their skills and learning that can be applied and used for their future and also for their growth as a person. Junior High School students have different kinds of homework that teacher give and based on the data that the researcher's gathered, it may be questions about the next topic or a recap about the past topic, usually, a math problem solving and creative outputs such as reflections, drawings, poster slogan, flyers, brochures, and handcrafted projects. Students appreciate homework that is more into creatively made like drawings, slogans, and handcrafted projects rather than answering questions given by a teacher that requires inquiring and also Mathematical problem solving. Students do not prefer homework that are question based or problem solving based. In the grasp of the students, homework's purpose is to benefit their own welfare in aspects such as for their studies and also for preparing their own being for their future. Students' outlook on homework in different aspects, first as a task that contributes the students positively such as an application of their learning and a training for their future not just complying for the school's requirement. Second, as a task that contributes the students in a negative way, such as an extra work load that hinders them. It is verified that homework becomes a burden when students do not see its purposive and reasonable meaning. The student's stand towards the proposed No Homework Policy shows that they do not agree with the implementation of the proposed bill for them as a student for it contributes to their skills development and growth as students that need to be prepared and ready for their future but teachers should take note that teachers should provide homework that is purposive and reasonable.