Ways of differentiating homework.
According to the content and the main function performed by the tasks in the learning process, we will distinguish the following types of tasks:
Homework which prepares students for the work to be done at the next lesson. For example Persuasive Essay. Students could be given the task of Using Quantitative Research in a Persuasive Essay.
These may include comprehension of new knowledge presented by the teacher, problem solving, practical work, etc. Tasks of this nature are given in the form of tasks: select proverbs and sayings, catchwords, pictures on a certain topic; watch a TV programme or listen to a radio programme and prepare for answering questions on writing; select facts, make observations; collect digital material that can be used to compile and solve problems in the lesson read material to be discussed in the lesson, find answers to the questions that will be addressed, etc.
Such tasks ensure the connection of teaching with life, arouse cognitive interest of pupils and, most importantly, prepare them not only for conscious and active perception of new material in the lesson, but also for its discussion, form the ability to give answers to questions that arise and formulate them independently.
Homework assignments that contribute to the systematisation and synthesis of the knowledge acquired and to their in-depth comprehension.
Such tasks are given after the study of the material in the lesson or after the end of the examination of the topic. It is very useful to bring together the material studied by pupils into schemes, tables, lists, etc. This helps to visualise the material studied in a system consisting of components which are connected in a certain way. The studied material is presented to pupils from a different perspective and new connections are identified.
This type of task involves drawing up plans, preparing answers to questions posed by the teacher, asking questions independently, and devising tasks.
Homework assignments that help consolidate knowledge and practice learning techniques.
Homework for the application of the knowledge acquired in practice.
Tasks are given after the study of the material in the lessons. These are simple experiments related to the use of the acquired knowledge in the household, in training and production workshops, during the pupil's work in the household. Such tasks connect teaching with life, increase cognitive interests of pupils and form practical orientation of their thinking.
There are also reproductive, constructive and creative homework tasks.
Some pupils may only be able to complete a similar task after the teacher has explained it to them in class. Such pupils are offered reproductive tasks for a while, for example, to read and translate an article from the textbook; to insert missing letters; to solve a problem using a formula, to do research according to the instructions.