Homework

The end of my first quarter with a new homework policy is almost here.  I used my Algebra 2 class as a nice little experiment and although I may have changed too many variables to determine what had the biggest impact, I do know that I will never go back to grading homework.

My new policy was to not assign points to the homework.  Rather than do the homework to get points by the date that that homework is scheduled to be due, my students were doing the homework to learn the material.  Novel idea, I know.

I know I'm not the first person in the world to ever think of this idea or implement it, but I think I am the first in my department in my own building to break from the homework mold.  I feel free.  I feel empowered and I know that my students felt empowered, after they got over feeling lost and unsure.

It was not the most easy transition and we are still in transition as we move into the second half of the semester.  Some of my students, many who are freshmen and sometimes not the most mature group, took this new "freedom" and then had to suffer the consequences when that summative assessment came around.  However, after 3 rounds of this process, I feel that my students are making progress.  Through my surveys with my students, I am finding that they appreciate being given the responsibility for their own learning, for the most part.  Many students appreciate that they can do the practice at a time that is convenient to them and that they know the end goal.

I did have some students who said they don't think it's fair because not everyone is doing the homework that I suggest and they think that those students should be 'punished' for not doing the work.  I found it interesting that the students who didn't like the policy, didn't like it because of the actions of their peers, not necessarily their own actions.

Only a few students (2 or less) preferred the homework to be given points because otherwise they have a hard time finding the motivation.

I feel that another of my new changes has done well to support all of these students and their viewpoints.  I have chatted with students about these concerns and tried to help them see the benefits to themselves through this new policy.

I have had many points of contact with each student, some have been conversations with students in person, through their blogs, through class discussions (in person or digitally) or information that I have gathered through surveys.  Students have spent a lot of time this quarter analyzing their own work habits and understanding.  They have checked in digitally with me at least once a week with an update on their learning (of course I am also checking in with them informally in class) and they had a few other ways that they were checking in on understanding so I could drive where our class would go next on our road to learning and understanding....not the road to doing a bunch of homework problems for a free 5 points if they are done on time, which could be from copying your friend's paper and not getting caught.

Homework has always been a point of contention for me.  I don't love assigning a lot of it and I don't like to give students points for it.  I never have and I feel so liberated to finally cut it out of my life.  Now, that doesn't mean students shouldn't have time they need to study at home; students do not all have the same needs when it comes to studying.  I do not want to give problems to students who don't need them or give too much to students who are going to struggle all night long.  I want students to work on things they know they need to work on.  I want students to know those things they need to practice.  Through reflection and constant check ins my students have been more aware of themselves and their understanding this semester than ever before.  I have focused on using my class time for the extra practice that the students need, we work together on learning, reviewing and practicing the material at least 70 of the 90 minutes each day.  The other 20 minutes are spent on individual practice time and meaningful reflection.

Looking ahead to this upcoming week which is typically littered with students handing in 5 point assignments from the beginning of the quarter in hopes of raising their grade significantly and then being disappointed when it barely moves it up 0.04%, I am thrilled that I will NOT be experiencing this ever again.  My students have been learning, not hoop jumping and point gathering.  I am free.  My students are free.