(NaturalPath) It’s back to school time coming up soon, and that means homework for kids. The question becomes, what is too much homework, particularly in math and science? According to a study out of the University of Oviedo in Spain and published in the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) Journal of Educational Psychology, more homework isn’t necessarily better – an hour a day is optimal – but doing it alone and regularly produces the biggest knowledge gain.
The study included asking students (with a mean age of 13.78) how often they did homework and how much time they spent on various subjects. Additionally, they were asked if they had done their homework alone or if they received help. Prior knowledge, gender and socioeconomic background were accounted for in the study.
The results of the study were that the students spent an average of one and two hours a day doing homework in all subjects. Interestingly, students whose teacher systematically assigned homework scored nearly 50 points higher on the standardized test while those who did their homework on their own scored 54 points higher than those who asked for frequent or constant help.
One of the lead authors of the study noted, “Our data indicate that it is not necessary to assign huge quantities of homework, but it is important that assignment is systematic and regular, with the aim of instilling work habits and promoting autonomous, self-regulated learning. The data suggest that spending 60 minutes a day doing homework is a reasonable and effective time.”
So it is more important how the homework is assigned then how much. Hopefully, teachers will see and understand this fact and assign the correct amounts of homework for the maximum effect for the student’s learning while teaching them autonomy that will be crucial in the real world.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.