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Homework has always been a sensitive and controversial issue in schools. Parents love it, students hate it and teachers find it a chore. There are mixed opinions about the merits of homework. Whatever we think of homework, it is part and parcel of a student's life. Before we can gauge how homework affects learning, it is important to be clear of the reasons for setting homework. I am aware of teachers setting homework for the sake of setting them because it is school policy or parents demand that homework is set. We need to go beyond these limited reasons for setting homework and explore further into why homework need to be set?

Homework can be set for the following reasons:

1. Reinforce the learning that has taken place in the classroom.

2. Improve student's understanding and perception of the topic.

3. Give students an opportunity to explore further the topic or issue that has been discussed in the lesson especially for gifted and talented student.

4. Improve memory - especially the salient points/ideas of the lesson.

5. Apply the concepts and key issues in real life context/situations.

Once we have established the reasons for setting homework and if the homework set is to achieve these reasons then homework will definitely have a positive and long lasting effect on the learner.

Homework can:

1. Improve students understanding and knowledge of the topic if the homework gave them an opportunity to explore the topic in different context

2. Enrich the students experience by providing the right questions in the homework to prompt them to explore further

3. Given in the right amount or dosage the homework would help in improving the students' memory. Research has shown that 60% of what is learnt is forgotten within 24 hours if not revisited or revised. Homework gives the student an opportunity to revise the topic and remember the main facts or ideas.

4. Homework will help to motivate and increase the student's interest in the topic or subject. This requires the homework to be challenging and interesting.

5. Homework can also be designed to help students see the relevance of the subject in real life or in their lives. This will help in further learning and also improve behaviour in lessons.

In conclusion, homework can affect learning in four ways: interest, motivation, relevance and memory. However it requires careful planning and preparation on the part of the teacher.

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