EFFECT OF HOMEWORK ON STUDENT COMMITMENT, GROWTH AND
PERFORMANCE
ROBIN D. SCHMITT
[Link] University of Alberta, 1993
A Project
Submitted to the Faculty of Education
Of the University of Lethbridge
In Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF EDUCATION
Lethbridge, Alberta
June, 2000
Abstract
This study examined the effect of homework on student commitment, growth and
performance over a period of six weeks. The sample included 22 Grade Eight students
taking Math every day for 51 minutes. During the first half of the study, the students
were assigned extra homework every night, and during the second half of the study the
students were not assigned any extra homework. Questionnaires, journals, selfevaluations,
records of incomplete assignments and a comparison of marks were used to
determine changes in student attitude and performance. The study found that in some
situations, homework proved to be a relevant and helpful tool for some students, in other
cases, regular homework did not affect the students positively, and in some instances it
proved to be a negative influence. As well, an increase in homework caused higher
levels of stress among some students that negatively affected their attitude towards class
as well as their performance in other subjects. On the other hand, the data could not
provide conclusive evidence as to whether the amount of homework affects student
marks. In all, it was concluded that the amount of homework was not necessarily as
important as the quality of assigned homework and the ability of the students to
internalize the experience and make it meaningful to them.
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Table of Contents
Personal Background ....................................................................................................... 1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................ 5
Positive Correlations ................................................................................................... 5
Inconclusive Studies .................................................................................................... 8
Other Issues ............................................................................................................... 12
Summary ................................................................................................................... 16
Description of Study ..................................................................................................... 18
The Question ............................................................................................................. 18
Definitions ................................................................................................................ 18
Design ....................................................................................................................... 19
Rationale for design of study ..................................................................................... 20
Rationale for post-intervention questionnaire development ........................................ 21
Assignment of measurement instruments to areas of study ......................................... 22
Reflections/Comments .................................................................................................. 24
Possible Biases .......................................................................................................... 24
Surprises/Successes ................................................................................................... 26
Analysis of Student Commitment .................................................................................. 27
Overview ................................................................................................................... 27
Evidence ................................................................................................................... 27
Analysis of Student Growth .......................................................................................... 37
Overview ................................................................................................................... 37
Evidence ................................................................................................................... 37
Analysis of Student Performance ................................................................................... 44
Overview ................................................................................................................... 44
Evidence ................................................................................................................... 44
Summary ...................................................................................................................... 49
References .................................................................................................................... 51
Appendix A ................................................................................................................... 54
Appendix B ................................................................................................................... 56
Appendix C ................................................................................................................... 58
Appendix D ................................................................................................................... 59
IV
