Is Homework The Key Issue Of Concern?

[gosompoi]

Strange after a full page nobody's mentioned that most students copy their homework from friends.

The act of copying, though, is in itself a manifestation of what was said in an earlier post about kids learning to get socially as close to the feeding trough as possible.

I forgot this issue, so true.

[ajarnyai]

How about this?

The English class with the native English speaking teacher is a secondary class with no scheduled mid-term or final exams during the the official exam week; undermining it's importance. Students ignore the class and never do homework. Although students spend 6+ years studying the language, the speaking portion is deemed unimportant when it comes to final grades. That undermines, the importance of the class and wastes 40 class hours per year. The many Christmas and New Year holiday events with little or no cultural education....... Mandatory Korean language classes.... (not to say learning any second language is unimportant, but a third?) Sports day with little few students competing and a whole lot of ceremony (not including prep time in the weeks before). Flag ceremonies were mentioned before...

Most school systems around the world focus on just academic knowledge and not the practical application of information. The Thai system is just one of many extreme examples. Knowing things and not understanding them will answer questions on a test, but will never truly educate you. The sad thing is, that the the "smart people" who make the decisions already know this.

It has been seen fit, by the all the leaders of Thai education, that having uneducated graduates is OK. "No fail" means no difference between those that learned, and those that didn't. No failures, no accountability, no problem.

Until that changes, smaller class sizes, "better teachers", a better curriculum, fewer class hours, or less homework will not change anything.

If 50% is enough in Thailand then draw the line there.

[StefanBBK]

What school is that? Pm please if you dont like to post in public.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited February 3, 2013 by StefanBBK

[AussieTrent]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

Interesting. Dr Barbara Nielsen is one of my lecturers, I study at Flinders University. Barbara is an extremely knowledgable and experienced teacher. Last year she lectured on English in the Curriculum, focusing on phonics and the new Australian National Curriculum, her son Peter Nielsen was also part of the teaching team and is also an awesome teacher.

I tend to agree also that little or no homework in primary school is of value, relaxation and valuable play at younger age is more important. Of course some homework is always going to be present, tasks such as "ask your parents and family about their job" etc.

[Robby nz]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

This is all very fine for OZ and other developed countries but I would suggest the demographics are different here in Thailand.

For instance: In many parts of the country, especially outside big cities the parents are in no position to give much help to the kids whether because of work commitments or because they themselves have low levels of education, then of course theres those who arent interested; 'education's the schools job pass me another can'.

In most parts BKK for instance there is little opportunity for kids to go out and play because of crowed living conditions and peer pressure,stuff homework, looks to me like the ones who would do homework are being put off or at least distracted by those who wont. This I feel drags down the brighter kids to a lower level.

While I'm on about things I see an increasing number of tablets (not Govt supplied) which are mostly used for playing games. That may teach them to use the things but how educational is one whatever trying to kill another on a little screen.

On the same track I was in BKK yesterday and on the BTS and looked around, there are 7 seats in a row on either side and I counted 4 out of every 7 sitting in the seats I could see playing on a phone or tablet, that is adults.

An off subject aside: To the posters who post long screeds of text please consider at least spaceing your pharagraphs, the way you are posting makes reading very hard going.

[Kilgore Trout]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

This is all very fine for OZ and other developed countries but I would suggest the demographics are different here in Thailand.

For instance: In many parts of the country, especially outside big cities the parents are in no position to give much help to the kids whether because of work commitments or because they themselves have low levels of education, then of course theres those who arent interested; 'education's the schools job pass me another can'.

In most parts BKK for instance there is little opportunity for kids to go out and play because of crowed living conditions and peer pressure,stuff homework, looks to me like the ones who would do homework are being put off or at least distracted by those who wont. This I feel drags down the brighter kids to a lower level.

While I'm on about things I see an increasing number of tablets (not Govt supplied) which are mostly used for playing games. That may teach them to use the things but how educational is one whatever trying to kill another on a little screen.

On the same track I was in BKK yesterday and on the BTS and looked around, there are 7 seats in a row on either side and I counted 4 out of every 7 sitting in the seats I could see playing on a phone or tablet, that is adults.

An off subject aside: To the posters who post long screeds of text please consider at least spaceing your pharagraphs, the way you are posting makes reading very hard going.

I find your post very confusing; please explain to me how these examples or "demographics" as you mentioned are specific to Thailand?

I come from a major US city and find the issues you mentioned to be much more acute there, in the inner city, than Bkk or anywhere in Thailand. The US students also have to contend with daily murders and armed gang members regularly fighting over turf (daily drive by shootings). In addition, the family unit is much more decimated and torn apart than compared to Thailand where the family unit is strong.

Perhaps you could elaborate.

[Robby nz]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

This is all very fine for OZ and other developed countries but I would suggest the demographics are different here in Thailand.

For instance: In many parts of the country, especially outside big cities the parents are in no position to give much help to the kids whether because of work commitments or because they themselves have low levels of education, then of course theres those who arent interested; 'education's the schools job pass me another can'.

In most parts BKK for instance there is little opportunity for kids to go out and play because of crowed living conditions and peer pressure,stuff homework, looks to me like the ones who would do homework are being put off or at least distracted by those who wont. This I feel drags down the brighter kids to a lower level.

While I'm on about things I see an increasing number of tablets (not Govt supplied) which are mostly used for playing games. That may teach them to use the things but how educational is one whatever trying to kill another on a little screen.

On the same track I was in BKK yesterday and on the BTS and looked around, there are 7 seats in a row on either side and I counted 4 out of every 7 sitting in the seats I could see playing on a phone or tablet, that is adults.

An off subject aside: To the posters who post long screeds of text please consider at least spaceing your pharagraphs, the way you are posting makes reading very hard going.

I find your post very confusing; please explain to me how these examples or "demographics" as you mentioned are specific to Thailand?

I come from a major US city and find the issues you mentioned to be much more acute there, in the inner city, than Bkk or anywhere in Thailand. The US students also have to contend with daily murders and armed gang members regularly fighting over turf (daily drive by shootings). In addition, the family unit is much more decimated and torn apart than compared to Thailand where the family unit is strong.

Perhaps you could elaborate.

Yes

I cant comment on the USA because I have never been there (and after reading your description I wont be going) only on the places I have been OZ and NZ and both are very different.

I live in a small town in TL and we have a 9yr old boy staying with us and other children come to our place to do their HW who I try to help even though I'm no teacter however I an a good observer and see what happens with them and other kids.

Like those who dont do their homework turning up at the gate wanting the ones here to go with them.

I didnt say anything was specific to Thailand only that it was different from where the authors were writing from.

[backtonormal]

If ASEAN arrives in its intended entirety the Thai Education system will collapse within 5-10 years. The obligatory two photos and your bit of paper will mean nothing when the new Singaporean business up the street employs an ex bar girl to answer the reception phone and turns down ex amounts of BA's. PARENT why have we just wasted 2,000,000 baht on her education... crashing down

[backtonormal]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

This is all very fine for OZ and other developed countries but I would suggest the demographics are different here in Thailand.

For instance: In many parts of the country, especially outside big cities the parents are in no position to give much help to the kids whether because of work commitments or because they themselves have low levels of education, then of course theres those who arent interested; 'education's the schools job pass me another can'.

In most parts BKK for instance there is little opportunity for kids to go out and play because of crowed living conditions and peer pressure,stuff homework, looks to me like the ones who would do homework are being put off or at least distracted by those who wont. This I feel drags down the brighter kids to a lower level.

While I'm on about things I see an increasing number of tablets (not Govt supplied) which are mostly used for playing games. That may teach them to use the things but how educational is one whatever trying to kill another on a little screen.

On the same track I was in BKK yesterday and on the BTS and looked around, there are 7 seats in a row on either side and I counted 4 out of every 7 sitting in the seats I could see playing on a phone or tablet, that is adults.

An off subject aside: To the posters who post long screeds of text please consider at least spaceing your pharagraphs, the way you are posting makes reading very hard going.

I find your post very confusing; please explain to me how these examples or "demographics" as you mentioned are specific to Thailand?

I come from a major US city and find the issues you mentioned to be much more acute there, in the inner city, than Bkk or anywhere in Thailand. The US students also have to contend with daily murders and armed gang members regularly fighting over turf (daily drive by shootings). In addition, the family unit is much more decimated and torn apart than compared to Thailand where the family unit is strong.

Perhaps you could elaborate.

A well conceived myth. The Thai family in most cases, compared to the west is dysfunctional at best with the parents away working and the grandparents taking care.

[timber]

Having taught in the Thai system in Bangkok know class size is really a problem

Teaching the keen students isn't a problem. They have been groomed by

their parents to suck in all the information and knowledge they can get. 30%

of the students learn if you can hold their attention and the bottom 20% of the

students don't care, and their parents don't care. In rural schools around the

area I live in now their really isn't any accountability on the part of the teachers,

and they pretty well do what they want in elementary schools. Videos play a major

part in classroom time. Students get so far behind, although class numbers

are small, that when they go to the higher level schools which have a lot bigger

classes, the the material is meaningless and they mentally drop out. Why not

they will pass anyhow.

[osiboy]

Apart from all the posts blaming various factions, why not try Geography---world knowledge mainly comes from this subject, via climate, location, animals, flora, awareness of other countries, it's people. each countries geographic location.

maths, basics--- English language-everyday spoken words for starters, NOT what is a verb or a noun, that comes later, most persons in the world are not interested in pro nouns and doing words etc.

after school sports, NOT during the school hours in general.

a bit of woodwork-a bit of cooking-a bit of metalwork.

NO teachers meetings during school hours. There is plenty of time in the school day to fit all subjects in, a bit of homework is a help prior to exams

yea, nice one jinjag , i feel the same ,i was no einstien at school but was into my geog which leads to history/culture etc and when i was old enough to afford travel i was off to the places i read about to see and learn more for myself . IMO some kids are academic and some arty or into sport , some are even good at all three , some may seem bright but have only an average IQ , which IMO is a better indicator of intelligence , and if more effort was put into knowing/realising a kids strengths and weakness regarding these differences i believe the kids would learn more , .....if children aren't interested in a subject they don't want to learn about it .....so its down to the method....end of !

oh.........and making lessons fun/interesting same time

Edited May 15, 2013 by osiboy

[osiboy]

Schools and teachers give children homework for a variety of reasons and purposes. Most teachers would say the major focus for homework is reinforcing and revising concepts learnt in class time.

Leading Australian academics and psychologists say homework has little benifit for primary school children.

HOMEWORK should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

http://www.adelaiden...3-1225857618020

Child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg believes that rather than building child-family relationships positively, homework often creates an arena for argument and conflict. He says that time taken to do homework is time taken away from valuable positive family time – particularly in families where both parents work and time with children is limited.

http://www.australia...ticles/homework

Personally I agree with the above people and think it would be more benificial to primary level students if parents spent time reading to them, read with them and talk to them about issues such as the enviroment, health and what is happening outside thier borders. Include them in social/physical activities. I believe school projects are benificial in primary level as they encourage family participation.

Interesting. Dr Barbara Nielsen is one of my lecturers, I study at Flinders University. Barbara is an extremely knowledgable and experienced teacher. Last year she lectured on English in the Curriculum, focusing on phonics and the new Australian National Curriculum, her son Peter Nielsen was also part of the teaching team and is also an awesome teacher.

I tend to agree also that little or no homework in primary school is of value, relaxation and valuable play at younger age is more important. Of course some homework is always going to be present, tasks such as "ask your parents and family about their job" etc.

wonder if she could give the Oz PM some English lessons !

[osiboy]

If ASEAN arrives in its intended entirety the Thai Education system will collapse within 5-10 years. The obligatory two photos and your bit of paper will mean nothing when the new Singaporean business up the street employs an ex bar girl to answer the reception phone and turns down ex amounts of BA's. PARENT why have we just wasted 2,000,000 baht on her education... crashing down

hope your right

[pastitche]

Strange after a full page nobody's mentioned that most students copy their homework from friends.

The act of copying, though, is in itself a manifestation of what was said in an earlier post about kids learning to get socially as close to the feeding trough as possible.

It worked for me for a long time - I used to copy my Latin homework from a kid who was more conscientious but less bright. That was OK until I scored really well in the exam and the teacher was convinced I cheated..... karma?