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Dave Dickson Comment
Nov 19, 2009
A CALGARY FAMILY HAS COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THEIR KIDS HOMEWORK WOES. THEY’VE DRAWN UP A CONTRACT FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR KIDS TEACHERS TO ESNURE THAT NO WORK FROM SCHOOL WILL BE BROUGHT HOME. I’M SURE THEIR KIDS ARE REJOICING NOW BUT THIS COULD HAVE REPERCUSSIONS LATER IN LIFE.
THEIR REASONING IS THAT WITH ALL OF THE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THEIR KIDS ARE INVOLVED IN, HOMEWORK IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF FAMILY TIME. REALLY? HOW MANY ACTIVITIES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? ARE THESE KIDS PLANNING ON BEING PRO ATHLETES OR ROCK STARS? I DOUBT IT. HAVING A VESTED INTEREST IN YOUR CHILDS EDUCATION IS ONE THING BUT DRAWING UP A LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT SAYS THEY CANT BRING WORK HOME AND CAN ONLY BE MARKED ON WHAT THEY DO IN CLASS IS RIDICULOUS.
IT JUST SHOWS HOW MUCH OVER-PARENTING IS OCCURING IN OUR COUNTRY. THESE PARENTS AREN’T EXPOSING THEIR KIDS TO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE TO FINISH SECONDARY SCHOOL AND BEYOND. I’D LIKE TO SEE HOW THE CHILDREN FARE IN UNIVERSITY. MY MOM AND DAD SAY I DON’T HAVE TO DO HOMEWORK. THAT REASON SURE WOULDN’T FLY AT ANY POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL I KNOW OF. COULD YOU IMAGINE THE REACTION FROM A PROFESSOR? THESE KIDS WILL BE GROWING OLD BEFORE THEY EVEN GROW UP.
IT’S NOT LIKE THE PARENTS ARE UNEDUACTED SLACKERS. THEY’RE BOTH LAWYERS. I DON’T GET THE LOGIC. I WAS INVOLVED IN PLENTY OF SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES ALL THROUGH MY FORMATATIVE YEARS AND I NEVER REALLY HAD ANY ISSUES WITH GETTING MY SCHOOL WORK COMPLETED. IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE AND IT APPEARS THEY DON’T HAVE IT.
IT’S TIME FOR THESE PARENTS TO LET GO OF THE LEASH JUST A LITTLE BIT. IF NOT, THE MAY BE STUCK HOLDING IT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AS IN THEIR KIDS MAY NEVER LEAVE AND THAT’S NOT GOOD FOR ANYBODY
THIS IS DAVE DICKSON
Interesting commentary.
ReplyDeleteHomework or no homework... what a question.
I am reminded of the University of Toronto study taking place in Toronto schools. The leading hypothesis states something along the lines of "homework doesn't effect academic performance." The results to date suggest support for this theory(shocking).
I guess, if schools do in fact esteem critical thinking, citizenship and adaptability above all else, life experience is crucial. Maybe students need more time to explore.
BUT, I understand what Dave Dickson is saying. If repetition and exposure are necessary to teach content, then homework is a necessity. Equally, if schools aim to teach students to be organized, determined and studious, homework is again beneficial.
What if content and study skill are only one piece in the larger learning picture though. Would that change Dave's stance on this issue?