The Important Role of Homework - Research Paper Example

The Important Role of Homework Key Words: Homework, Academic, Achievement, Self- regulation, Relationship, self-regulatory, Academic Achievement,Outline I. Summary of the article In this text, the author analyzes association evident amid homework and self –regulation through. It analyzes different levels of education starting from elementary grades to college. Besides, the article features other elemental parameters that can be of use in evaluating the quality of homework. II. Introduction- In this section, the author brings out the relevance of the topic to the American system of education. The author proceeds to analyze the relationship between homework and academic achievement using comparison between students who do their homework and those who do not. To add on, the time used on the task is also analyzed to see of it relates with the quality of work done. III. Homework and Its Importance The author explains the definition of homework of homework basing on that presented by Cooper. He also exposes critics’ sentiments who contend homework has no relation with academic realization. The author therefore goes ahead to prove how homework activities are very important not only academic wise but because it enhances self- regulatory skills. IV. Self Regulation and Its Importance The author defines self- regulation and analyses its three different aspects. He also defines self-efficacy and analyses self-efficacious learners. To add on, the author also shows the evident connection that characterizes these two concepts and homework activities. The author also explains how homework activities enables students develop self-regulatory skills V. Homework and Self- regulation- The author seeks to explain how students become self-directed in managing their learning. He uses empirical evidence to accompany his claims and he uses researches conducted in elementary, middle school as well as in college. VI. Source’s reliability This article is a peer-reviewed article in that it uses reliable sources to gather its content. To add on, it has factual figures hence is recommendable to teachers and students as well. Summary of the article The main objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between homework and self -regulation. It analyzes different levels of education starting from elementary grades to college. It also features other fundamental parameters that can be of use in evaluating the quality of homework. These variables encompass handling distractions and time, self-efficacy, regulation, responsibility as well as establishing goals and place for homework (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The process of undertaking homework enables the students develop self regulatory skills as they are able to resist distractions and innovate strategies that would enable them use the limited time to complete their assignments. This is how self-regulation relates to homework and the results in this article indicate that from elementary grades to college, skilled learners tend to practice the self-regulatory procedures as they do their assignments. Usually, the skills sharpen with constant practice. This article also demonstrates that students can undergo training to develop the skills as they do their homework. It asserts students entail training at all levels of learning so that they appreciate the connection between the self-regulatory knowhow and homework tasks. As per co-relational studies, self-regulatory skills and motivational beliefs have positive effects on homework (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). Considering the demand in assignments, students need the motivation and capability to complete it with success. Therefore, teachers should participate in helping students by maximizing the use of homework logs. Explanation of Information Discussed in Each Section Introduction This topic is relevant to the American Educational System as teachers usually assign homework to students in a bid to elevate their learning outcomes (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). Researches so far done aim at analyzing evident link evident amid homework time and realization. Evidence from these research have shown weak to modest at the middle school levels whereas in elementary level, it was statistically insignificant hence indicating only the high graders benefitted. Therefore, the timeline on tasks does not necessarily stipulate quality of time. Homework and Its Importance Homework refers to the tasks assigned to students by their teachers. The students are usually expected to undertake own tasks during “non-school hours (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011).” The teachers aspire to allow own students to conduct their tasks independently (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). Critics have however been able to assert homework has failed to enhance study skills, self-discipline as well as responsibility (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). To add on, they fail to embrace the notion homework promotes academic achievement. However, studies in meta-analysis have dismissed their last claim since it indicated better academic achievement of students who completed their assignments compared to those who did not. In addition to enhancing academic achievement, homework provides an opportunity for the students to engage in self-regulation processes (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). Self-Regulation Self-regulation refers to a process where individuals organize and manage their thoughts, behaviours as well as environment in order to attain academic success (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). It functions in three major areas of psychological functioning that are critical when it comes to learning. They embrace cognitive, motivational as well as metacognitive function (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). These three concepts are applied in situations where the students have to use his or her capability in order to succeed. Self-efficacy refers to the belief about the capability of one to learn hence perform effectively (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). Learners having this quality of presume that completion of their homework will enable them succeed (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The expectation they have will enable them persist further and innovate other strategies that will enable them handle their tasks. Self regulation skills like setting goals, time management, effort and persistence in completing difficult tasks not only enhance academic success but also enable students become professional writers, artists, and other professional careers. Homework and Self-regulation Usually, students do homework at home and in many instances, they do not have any supervision. Self-regulation comes into play since the students believe they are able to handle the tasks. Once they have high self-efficacy and believe in themselves, they will have the ability to carry on even when they encounter challenges. This study analyzed the importance of self-regulation in homework activities all the way from elementary grades through middle/high school grades to college and provided the empirical evidence. At elementary level there is an intervention knowhow by Stoeger and Ziegler whose intention encompassed boosting self-regulatory skills of approximately 219 4Th grade students (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). With no preconceived structure assigned classes to an induction cluster for approximately 5 weeks whereby afterwards teachers with the aid of varied scales recorded the data (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The students had to undergo 4 cycles during their respective inductions. The cycles involved self-evaluation and monitoring earning abilities, setting of attainable goals, use of apt strategies to realize the goals and finally the implementation process (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). In the middle school level, Participants were 179 girls who tackled own homework for approximately 3 hours daily (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). They received questionnaire meant to ascertain the extent of the homework as well student efficacy for learning (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The outcome of self-efficacy showed that homework influenced student’s self-beliefs. The study also proved that the quality of homework correlated with the quantity of homework hence indicating that students who study more use the self-regulatory strategies more extensively in order to complete their tasks successfully. In the college level, subjects were 223 of both sexes (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The study aimed at analyzing whether the quality and quantity of students homework would predict their grades. In addition, it highlighted on analyzing whether homework impact would mediate by self-efficacy as well as responsibility linked with each other (Ramdass & Zimmerman, 2011). The Article is a Reliable Source This article is a valid source since it uses factual figures to strengthen the statements it uses. To add on, it obtains it contents from other peer -reviewed books. This article also expounds its relevance besides proving implication it would have especially on America education. Tutors and teachers can also utilize this knowhow in ensuring self- regulatory skills essential in undertaking homework tasks. References Ramdass, D., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2011). Developing Self-Regulation Skills: The Important Role of Homework. Journal Of Advanced Academics, 22(2), 194-218. Read More