Schooling and Homework

David · Post by **David** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 7:40 pm

Forgive me if this subject has already been approached.

45 minute classes

15 minutes attendance and homework collection
15 minutes discussing homework
15 minutes assigning new homework

Hmmm....
I wonder why students are finding themselves overburdened with at home assignments and learning little in school? Perhaps taking more time to insure that the students have grasped the concepts through instruction/discussion rather than tasks would be a better idea. I am not suggesting Montessouri techniques or anything wild. Just teach them instead of working them.

Consider having classes until 5 o'clock. The extra time would first allow students time to GET to classes (How about 10 minutes instead of 3 minute class/locker/class sprints), and have supervised classwork sessions..... Or heaven forbid, more teaching time. In addition, working parents will have less to worry about during the school year, knowing their children are in school while they are on the job.

I am not blasting teachers. I believe that things do need to change.

Pardon if my views seem a bit simplistic.

shant,
david

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 7:42 pm

no, I think it's good. that's how it was when I was in high school, and that's why I think apart from a select few classes and teachers, I really didn't learn all that much in High school. As long as you turn in the work, you pass, regardless of weather or not you actually comprehend what it is your trying to be taught.

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 7:44 pm

Yeah i agree. It should be about the quality of the studies not the quantity of the studies you get. My classes although are 53 minutes long. Its been 2 days of school and i have 1 essay due, 1 chem test, 1 history project due on thursday, and 1 hr of trig hw. Infact im doign hw now. I wouldnt mind going to school till 5 if we wernt burdened with HW.

But those are the way things are and ive grown accustomed to that kind of schooling.

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 7:49 pm

sounds liek a good idea to me!

anything that would actually help students LEARN the material instead of just completing tasks and busywork.....

Altema · Post by **Altema** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 8:16 pm

Seriously all i want in life is to finish my homework then draw. Thats all i do. Heck i even draw in class b/c most of what we do is homework in class.

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 8:25 pm

in our school... the whole period is learning.. and then we apply what we have learnt on that day on our homework..

SeedOfChaos · Post by **SeedOfChaos** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 8:41 pm

I fully agree, David.

From German school I was mostly used to learning and going over concepts in class and getting less homework. Then I spent the Junior year in the US, Iowa to be exact, and it was more the discussion of the homework than the discussion of concepts that took place in the class, with lots of things to do at home. IMO the German system is a bit more efficient in their teaching, as the principal recommended taking Algebra 2 as appropriate math course for the junior year. It was mostly stuff I had already done in grades 7-9. Back in Germany, I had to catch up on some calculus, before the diploma (Abitur) we even went further than calculus (I forgot what it's called in English). And that was even the "Grundkurs" (basic course), while I could've taken the "Leistungskurs" (advanced course) which even went way beyond that. I suppose that's the material covered in US colleges.

Another idea (might not be realistic in the US). Spread the vacation more. In Germany you have about 6 weeks in the summer, 1 week in fall, 3 weeks for Christmas/winter, 2 weeks in spring (Easter). IMO the summer vacation in the US is too long. For one, it's really cool to have a week off now and then, and also, you tend to forget quite a bit when you have 3 months off. I used to get a bit bored after 4 or 5 weeks of vacation, so I didn't mind going back to school at all. I think in the US the summer vacation is so long because kids are supposed to help out with farms and stuff? So the German option in the regard is not really an option. Or is it these days?

Cheers,
Ronald

David · Post by **David** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 9:12 pm

Elementary school for me was a day spent in one classroom. We were taught. If anyone here has gone to a daylong class on any particular subject, be it a surgical procedure, computer security or cooking cajun, you probably adsorbed more info than if it were spread out... Why not the same in High School (this is just a thought)? English one day, Mathematics another, History etc... This way the teacher can complete trains of thought, build concepts and allow supervised work. Permit breaks as necessary and everyone can be happy.

shant,
david

Andrea · Post by **Andrea** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 9:24 pm

I agree, it is time for a major overhaul of our educational system. The idea of both a longer school day, and a shorter summer vacation would also be good things to consider. In my opinion, our educational system does not prepare students for either continued education, or entry into the work world.

I understand that the short class periods and material presented in "sound bite" fashion has been implemented to grab the attention of kids who have grown up with the TV for a babysitter... The average attention span of a school-aged kid is supposedly much shorter now than it was 20 or 30 years ago.

More great news - I heard this morning that baby boomers are retiring from the profession at unprecidented rates, and we have more students in school than ever before. We are expecting a huge teacher shortage in the upcoming years...

David · Post by **David** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 9:36 pm

The longer class times would serve to reprogram the short attention span children. Also, more time in school will reduce the distractions of TV....

david

Andrea · Post by **Andrea** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 9:45 pm

I think we have a winner!!!

But the question is, how can it be implemented?

David · Post by **David** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 11:35 pm

Originally posted by John
I think staying longer is a bad idea. In the fall, it gets dark earlier and earlier.

There are afterschool activities, sports, and other things going on that students "need" to do. Not to mention jobs.

I believe time is WASTED in school. 3-4 minutes between classes is fine; 10 is excess. We have 5 at our school.

45 minute luch is excess; I would rather eat in 20 min and leave 15 minutes early.

Well John, Student are waking up in the dark here in Flemington... During the winter, they hit the busses before dawn.

3-4 minutes affords you enough time to go to your locker, trade books and materials and be on time for you next class.... Heaven forbid a potty break. You must attend a small school. Lunches here are 20 minutes long. Extra-curricular activities are used by a minority of students.... still available after 5pm. Work... same thing. John, those two issues are a key to high schoolers more than the younger.

Another thing to consider. John, you are clearly very bright and motivated to self teach. You are a small minority. Consider how well German and Japanese students do with longer hours...

whatever,
david

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 11:35 pm

I don't know why... where I come from.. this is heaven...

I get to know what Im studying instead of cramming it all in without explanations of why and how...

we sit in a classroom all day till 4... in the same classroom... rite here... I luv it... it's the best..

David · Post by **David** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 11:37 pm

Originally posted by Immortal
I don't know why... where I come from.. this is heaven...

I get to know what Im studying instead of cramming it all in without explanations of why and how...

we sit in a classroom all day till 4... in the same classroom... rite here... I luv it... it's the best..

and they serve Molson in the cafeteria..... (J/K)

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Wed Sep 05, 2001 11:46 pm

hehe.. I don't know.. the water here sure tastes funny..

Venus · Post by **Venus** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 9:34 am

Originally posted by Immortal
hehe.. I don't know.. the water here sure tastes funny..

you funny <giggles>

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 9:37 am

Originally posted by Immortal
hehe.. I don't know.. the water here sure tastes funny..

canadian monkey sweat water?