Homework in the Scotch senior school.

We are very interested in your responses to this short survey.

(The survey is completely anonymous.)


  1. I am in Year:
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12


  1. About how much time a night do you spend on homework (on average)?
    less than 30 minutes
    between 30 and 60 minutes
    between 60 and 120 minutes
    more than two hours


  1. On average, how many weeknights do you use for homework?
    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5


  1. On average, how many hours do you spend each weekend on homework?
    virtually none
    up to one hour
    between one and two hours
    between two and three hours
    between three and five hours
    more than five hours


  1. Which of the following best applies to you?
    I normally get all my homework completed on time.
    I get all my homework completed, but it is sometimes late.
    I get about 75% of my homework completed.
    I get about 50% of my homework completed.
    I get less than half of my homework completed.
    I complete very little of my homework.


  1. Which of the following best applies to your teachers?
    All my teachers check I have completed my homework.
    Most of my teachers check that I have completed my homework.
    Some of my teachers check that I have completed my homework.
    Very few of my teachers check that I have completed my homework.


  1. This question refers to how quickly your teachers correct homework or assignments that they collect.
    All my work is returned in a reasonable time.
    Most of my work is returned in a reasonable time.
    Some of my work is returned in a reasonable time.
    Little of my work is returned in a reasonable time.


  1. Which of the following best applies to feedback that your teachers give you when they check your homework?

    ('Feedback' means a grade, a comment or advice.)


    I receive feedback on my homework from all my teachers.
    I receive feedback on my homework from most of my teachers.
    I receive feedback on my homework from some of my teachers.
    I receive feedback on my homework from very few of my teachers.


  1. This question is about how helpful any feedback you get on your homework is.
     
      1 2 3 4  
    not at all helpful  very helpful


  1. This question is about how much homework you get given.
    The homework I am given is too much to complete in a reasonable time.
    The homework I am given can normally be completed in a reasonable time.
    The homework I am given can normally be very easily completed in a reasonable time.


  1. This question is about the main things that prevent you from completing your homework. (You can select more than one option).
    I have too much homework to do.
    I have too many other activities.
    There are too many distractions.
    I just can't get started.
    I do not understand the work.
    There is no-one to help me when I get stuck.
    I do not think homework is very important.
    I do not need to do homework
    I am just too tired
    It is just too boring
    My teacher won't check it anyway
    Other (see next question)


  1. Feel free to add any comments about what prevents you completing your homework.


  1. This questions is about distractions that hinder you completing your homework. Please list which of the following are the most common distractions for you. (You can select more than one option).
    television
    internet/computer games
    internet networking (eg Facebook, Twitter,...)
    reading books or magazines
    listening to music
    playing or practising music
    talking to friends (telephone or face to face)
    none of the above
    other (see next question)


  1. Please add any more detail about distractions from homework that you would like to add.


  1. This question is about when you do your homework. (You can select more than one option).
    I finish most of it in class.
    I do it after school in the library.
    I do it as soon as I get home, before dinner.
    I do it straight after dinner.
    I do it later at night.
    I do it before school.
    I do it at recess and/or lunchtimes.
    I do it on public transport or in the car.
    None of the above.


  1. This question is about the environment in which you do your homework. (You can select more than one option).
    I work at a desk/table in a quiet place at home.
    I complete it in front of TV.
    I often listen to music while doing my homework.
    I work at a table with other people around.
    Other (see next question)


  1. Please add any more comments you have on the previous question.


  1. What kinds of homework do your teachers normally set you? (You can select more than one option.)
    finishing off class work
    projects and assignments
    practice exercises
    memory work
    preparation for the next class
    review and revision
    research work
    extension work
    general reading
    I get very little homework
    other (see next question)


  1. Please add (if you like) any more comments on the kinds of homework you normally receive.


  1. This question is about the difficulty of most of the homework your teachers normally set for you.
     
      1 2 3 4  
    too easy  too difficult


  1. This question is about what you do when you have difficulty with the assigned homework. (You can select more than one option.)
    I contact a friend
    I wait until I can talk to the teacher
    I ask another teacher
    I ask a family member or family friend
    I try and find the answer on the internet
    I try and find the answer in a book
    I just don't do it at all
    I ask a tutor I have outside school
    other (see next question)


  1. Please add (if you like) any further detail on the previous question.


  1. We are interested in any other comments you have about homework at Scotch.





Syd
University Lecturer in Physics and Science Education
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria