Homework : a survey of perspectives at the primary level

Abstract

The study aims to get a valid feedback of perspectives from pupils, parents and teachers in primary schools who are the participants involved in the Homework process. The whole research tries to identify contemporary attitudes towards homework, assimilating and contrasting the views of the three parties involved in the three kinds of local primary schools, namely State, Church and Private Schools. The study endeavours to focus on the aims and objectives for assigning homework, and on its positive and negative aspects. It also attempts to locate approxi1nate parameters regarding what constitutes the right kind and amount of homework that children at the primary level should be assigned. The introduction of the dissertation discusses the assignment of homework and its contribution to the education of the child. It also shows the evident need for further research on many controversial and as yet untreated points in this topic. The analysis also includes a theoretical fra1nework based on a review of literature. This chapter brings together a collection of debatable views of different authors. The next part of the dissertation aims to explain the process of the research methodology undertaken in this work. The rationale behind the interviews and questionnaires as media of research is further discussed. The work consequently centres around a series of results derived from the interviews and questionnaires. The whole study is meant to supply enough information to indicate whether homework is looked upon by pupils, parents and teachers as producing the right components to a child's personal progress, when in school or out of school. References to documentary sources are examined and argued within the Maltese educational context of assigning homework. It is hoped that the whole exercise will thus give a valid contribution to the local educational sphere through the derivation of a set of conclusions with subsequent recommendations about homework assigned nowadays in our schools.