Meaningful Homework? A critical reflection of the new homework policy in Hong Kong

Meaningful Homework? A critical reflection of the new homework policy in Hong Kong

• Yeung, Sze Yin Shirley The Hong Kong Institute of Education

2006

32nd Annual Conference of International Association for Educational Assessment: Assessment in an Era of Rapid Change: Innovations and Best Practices (2006: Singapore)

• N Students & Student Services
  • NC Charactieristics & Conditions of Students; Opinion & Attitudes of Students, Problems of Adjustment
• R Educational Policy & Administration
  • RF School Supervision, Accountability & Inspection: Education Indicators, Privatization of School

Primary Education Educational Evaluation

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Unknown or Unspecified

Over the years numerous studies have been conducted in an attempt to determine the effect of homework on students’ learning (Thomas, 1992). In practice, there are much problems and misconceptions with the implementation of homework. In Hong Kong, this issue worsens existing educational problems (Education Department, & Home School Cooperation Committee, 1994). With the launching of curriculum reform in 2001, the education bureau in Hong Kong recommends that there be a change in homework policy and practices(Curriculum Development Committee, 2001). Schools should put more emphasis on "meaningful homework" as an integral part of the school curriculum. In the past, curriculum changes in Hong Kong often encounter unsuccessful experiences because of poor policy dissemination and implementation and mismatching teachers’ conceptions, etc (Yeung, 2004). Studies alike demonstrate that any educational change needs an authentic "paradigm shift" in perspectives, philosophy and pedagogy (Kuhn, 1970). The paper intends to look into the underpinning theory and thereafter the underlying agenda embedded with this homework policy. The researcher has adopted research method including documentary analysis and simple survey. The researcher conducts and compares content analysis of two kinds of documents -- Official homework guideline as well as various samples of school homework. A simple survey of teachers’ conception about the new homework policy has been used as kinds of triangulation. The researcher wishes that findings from the study may have empirical and practical significance to future development of homework practices and policy in schools.

Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Conference of International Association for Educational Assessment: Assessment in an Era of Rapid Change: Innovations and Best Practices.

• English

Conference Papers

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/7ff36bf3

2015-01-23