How Can Homework Teach?

 Summary of Oubit & El Farahi (2025)

Background & Existing Knowledge
Homework is often viewed as a task for reinforcement, but it can also serve as a core instructional tool when used purposefully.

New Insights from This Study
✔ Teachers in Morocco use homework for content review, reinforcement, and self-learning.
✔ Perceived effectiveness varies by subject, class level, and student autonomy.
✔ Homework that encourages thinking and creativity yields better outcomes.

Practical Applications: How Educators Can Use This Research

Purposeful Homework Design
📌 Design tasks that extend in-class learning.
📌 Include questions that build critical thinking.
📌 Offer choice in format and topic when possible.

Foster Autonomy
📌 Guide students on how to plan and reflect on homework.
📌 Support parents in helping their children think, not just finish tasks.

📌 Scaffold tasks for different ability levels.

Integrate Formative Value
📌 Use homework for informal checks on learning.
📌 Encourage student-led discussions on completed tasks.
📌 Collect feedback on homework’s usefulness.

Conclusion
When used as a tool for learning rather than repetition, homework can promote independence, thinking, and active engagement.

Key Words
homework purpose, instructional strategy, student autonomy, critical thinking, Moroccan education

Reference
Oubit, A., & El Farahi, M. (2025). The Use of Homework as an Instructional Tool: Perspectives of Moroccan Secondary Teachers. Journal of Education and Learning, 14(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v14n1p67

Suggested Citation
Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). How Can Homework Teach? Excellent Educator, 2(11), 3.