my view point!

2011-02-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Advantages and disadvantages of continuous assessment
As we have seen above, continuous assessment has a number of educational advantages as well as a number of disadvantages. The following lists are based on those produced by Bob Purvis of Queen Margaret College in the booklet on 'Continuous Assessment' that he wrote for CICED in 1990 - again see 'Further Reading' section.

Advantages of continuous assessment
Continuous assessment can provide much more extensive syllabus coverage than terminal assessment; indeed, in some cases (eg, competence-based courses) it covers virtually all aspects of the students' work, thus greatly increasing the face validity of the assessment process and permitting the use of tools appropriate to the workplace.
Since it allows the use of a far wider range of assessment techniques than terminal assessment, continuous assessment can be used to test a correspondingly wider range of skills, including non-cognitive skills of various types. It thus makes it easier for tutors to match their assessment methods with the learning outcomes being assessed and to step assessment through different levels.
Continuous assessment places less emphasis on pure memory (particularly comparatively short-term memory) than terminal assessment, and correspondingly more emphasis on worthwhile learning in the deepest sense of the word. True education has been described as 'what is left after the facts have been forgotten', and continuous assessment certainly facilitates such education.
As we have seen, continuous assessment encourages regular, systematic study and discourages last-minute cramming, thus rewarding students who work steadily and conscientiously throughout their courses. It also reduces the domination of both teaching and learning by the requirements of the final examinations. It is like a film, rather than a single snapshot.
By enabling on-going monitoring of student performance to take place, continuous assessment can provide early warnings of which students are having problems with a course, thus enabling appropriate remedial help to be provided in time for it to do some good.
Continuous assessment can provide early indicators of the likely performance of students, something that can be of great help to the students themselves - eg, in recognising that they have made a mistake in their choice of course and would be better transferring to another, or in helping them to make informed choices of routes and options.
Such assessment also provides an on-going picture of how individual students develop and mature as they work their way through a course, something that can again be of considerable use to both students and staff. It can also provide evidence of exactly what has been learned by a particular stage of the course, information that can prove extremely useful in cases where a student wishes to take an early exit award such as a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education.
Continuous assessment also constitutes an extremely useful vehicle for on-going course monitoring and evaluation, providing course tutors with early warning of any problems or weaknesses, thus enabling them to take appropriate measures to improve matters.
It is generally agreed that continuous assessment reduces the intense stress that many students experience when preparing for and sitting terminal examinations - particularly so for dyslexic students or in the case of honours degrees.
Continuous assessment generally provides a more natural assessment environment that is better matched to the situations in which students will find themselves working in later life, particularly if the assessment is of the 'open-book' variety.
Disadvantages of continuous assessment
Students undergoing continuous assessment may feel that they are continually under surveillance, and that every error that they make along the way can count against them. This can give rise to a different type of stress from that which students experience as a result of terminal assessment. Indeed, to quote Derek Rowntree of the Open University, "Continuous assessment ensures that students now have ulcers as well as nervous breakdowns".
Unless continuous assessment is carefully planned and coordinated, there is a very real danger that students may be grossly over-assessed - particularly at certain times of the year, when several lecturers are asking simultaneously for assignments to be handed in.
Attempts to broaden the scope of a course may be frustrated by students gearing their study solely to the requirements of the assessment procedures, thus putting students who carry out extension studies or 'read round' their subject at a disadvantage. By itself, continuous assessment does not prevent either 'strategic' or 'surface' learning.
Continuous assessment can, if not properly managed, adversely affect the relationship between students and their tutors, with the latter being regarded with suspicion and (in some extreme cases) enmity and occasionally even introducing malpractice, as in imposing penalties for seeking help.
Students may suffer from unequal availability of resources, something that is becoming increasingly important now that they are carrying out much of their work on personal computers or 'at a distance'.
With continuous assessment, there is the perennial problem of enforcing uniform procedures such as completion dates and dealing with students who do not comply with these in a way that is seen to be fair without being either too draconian or too lax. Continuous assessment requires just as much planning as terminal assessment -more in many cases.
Assessment schemes that are claimed to be based on 'continuous assessment' may turn out to be nothing more than a series of tests or 'mini examinations'. If so, such assessments remain 'unnatural' and fail to optimise problem-solving opportunities.
Tutors need to have a high level of experience in assessment to enable them to make creative and effective use of continuous assessment (although the same could be said of terminal assessment!)

NEW ADDITION

2009-06-07T05:24:00.001-07:00

2009-06-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

cancer

2009-06-07T05:11:00.001-07:00

Excellent article on cancer

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND
ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE
IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. . These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6.. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size.. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from Chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses
but only in very sma ll amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and
substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with Cancer.

d. A diet made of 80%
fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach
down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to no urish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try
and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C)..

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.
Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of
digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of
cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the
body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a
loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular
level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

•

2009-05-01T05:59:00.001-07:00

2009-05-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

god'slove

2009-05-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

WHY GOD ALLOWS PAIN

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen...

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because
if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

If you think God exists, send this to other people---
If you think God does not exist, delete it!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS !!!!!!!

ART OF LIVING

2009-03-29T05:38:00.000-07:00

Sangatchadvam
God : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..

God : If you look outside you will not know where you are heading.Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear . Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that took our breath away!

Chat with God

2009-03-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

God : Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. Who is this ?

God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God : What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God : Well I wanted to resolve your! Fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday.You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty. .

God : Pain is inevitable able, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God : Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher . She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

save the shark

2009-03-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Currently sharks are being finned and fished to near extinction, with more than 100 million sharks killed globally each year. But as one of the oldest species on earth (over 400 million years old), the disappearance of sharks is having a profound effect on our oceans. Sharks are crucial to maintaining the balance of healthy oceans. So what can you do? By adopting a shark, you can be directly involved in shark research and conservation.

AdoptAShark researchers place satellite and acoustic tags on sharks throughout the year, recording the location and time spent at each site, allowing us to map the sharks’ movements over time. This information can be used to improve shark management decisions, such as the selection of marine reserves or the protection of sharks in important aggregation areas. Tagging sharks is one of the most important first steps in conserving and protecting these awesome creatures.

Although fascinating and beautiful creatures, not much is known about the basic biology, movement patterns and migration of these highly vulnerable species. AdoptAShark’s science teams are tagging sharks to provide essential information about the movements, feeding and reproductive behavior to help save and protect them.

Each shark adoption package includes a personalized certificate of adoption, pictures of and information about your shark, stickers, a t-shirt and lots of fun and educational info about marine conservation. You will also receive up-to-date shark conservation news and be able to follow the movement of your adopted shark online.

ADOPT A SHARK TODAY!

Learn spelling

2009-03-11T08:31:00.001-07:00

Some of you are wondering if it's enough to just teach children to read. You may think that if you teach reading, spelling will just naturally follow. But will it?

Good question. When you were in school, which did you find easier-multiple choice questions or essay questions?

The multiple choice questions, right? As long as you had general knowledge of the subject, you could usually recognize the right answer.

Reading is like the multiple choice question because it requires recognition of the letter patterns. Take the word pine, for example. The student recognizes that p says /p/, i-consonant-e says /ī/, and n says /n/.

Essay questions, on the other hand, required you to recall the information.

Spelling is like the essay question because it requires recall of the proper letter combinations, spelling rules, and letter patterns. If a student wants to spell the word town, he needs to decide how to spell the sound /ow/. Is it spelled ou as in cloud? Or is it ow as in cow?

If you want kids to be good spellers, you gotta teach them! Though reading and spelling are related, they are different enough that spelling must be taught directly.

electricity

2009-03-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Electrostatic Charge:
Electrons move from atom to atom to create ions.
positively charge ions result from the loss of electrons and are called cations.
Negatively charge ions result from the gain of electrons and are called anions.Electrostatic Charge:
Electrons move from atom to atom to create ions.
positively charge ions result from the loss of electrons and are called cations.
Negatively charge ions result from the gain of electrons and are called anions.

GREEN HOUSE

2009-03-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

It's time to bring them inside. Not only will they beautify the house, they bring luck too.

The colour green is positively attributed to spreading freshness, serenity and bringing in harmony. We can bring all this positivity inside our home through plants like bonsais, cacti, terrariums and some of the regular medium-sized garden plants.

Space crunch Besides adding beauty, plants also make a room look spacious. a gardening enthusiast, says, "I have plants on the dining table, in the bathroom, at the entrance to welcome guests and on window ledges.

So I wake up to freshness every morning.

"Terrariums can be maintained easily and are cleaner because they are bottled. Chlorophytum and alocasia are suitable plants for interiors.

" Plants also have scientific benefits like freshening the air, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing homes and the work place. "Changing the position of plants helps in giving the interior a new look and filling up empty spaces.

"Bonsais are a way to bring big plants like peepal, mango and neem inside homes," she says.

Experimenting with the pots and plants, her hobby benefits her entire family. Sandeep Maru feels that plants break the monotony of the colour scheme of a room or office.

"With a variety of coloured interior plants like Begoniacece, one has the option to choose the colours," he says. Plant pick Chlorophytum or spider plant: This one has a number of platelets hanging from a stem, making it look like the legs of a spider.

Alocasia: An evergreen plant, it spreads its stems and leaves around the pot. A good filler for the corner.

Jasmine: This one fills the room with its fragrance and keeps the atmosphere pleasant. Moneyplant: It's the most common home plants as it can be grown in water or mud.

It is thought to bring financial luck.

An enzyme responsible for cancer

2009-03-08T07:27:00.000-07:00

London, Mar 8 (ANI): Institute of Cancer Research scientists claim that they have found an enzyme which is responsible for cancer spread.

Cancer Cell journal reported that boffins have discovered a way to stop cancer spreading to other parts of the body after finding enzyme called LOX.

According to researchers, LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis.

Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original location, is known to be responsible for 90percent of cancer-related deaths.

To reach the conclusion, researchers studied breast cancer in mice - but are confident that their findings will apply to humans with other cancer types too.

LOX (lysyl oxidase) works by sending out signals to prepare a new area of the body for the cancer to set up a camp. Without this preparation process the new environment would be too hostile for the cancer to grow.

Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler explained the discovery as "the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for."

She said it was the first time one key enzyme has been identified as responsible for effectively allowing the cancer to spread.

"If we can interrupt the body's ability to prepare new locations for the cancer to spread to, we can effectively prevent cancer metastasis. Cancer metastasis is very difficult to treat and this new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the spreading of cancer," The BBC quoted her, as saying. (ANI)

ANI

courseonblogging

2009-02-04T03:30:00.000-08:00

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Earn while sitting at home

2009-01-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

Want to do some part time job at home without paying to join?

Find out more at http://www.WeWorkAtHomeOnline.com

Money on line

2009-01-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.WeWorkAtHomeOnline.com

Onlinesurveys

2009-01-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

2009-01-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

2009-01-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

2009-01-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

helptosolvemaths

2008-12-25T01:59:00.001-08:00

Encourage your child to use a daily math assignment book.
Follow the progress your child is making in math. Check with your child daily about his homework.

If you don't understand your child's math assignments, engage in frequent communication with his or her teacher.

If your child is experiencing problems in math, contact the teacher to learn whether he or she is working at grade level and what can be done at home to help improve academic progress.

Request that your child's teacher schedule after-school math tutoring sessions if your child really needs help.

Advocate with the principal for the use of research-based peer tutoring programs for math. These tutoring programs have proven results, and students really enjoy them.

Use household chores as opportunities for reinforcing math learning such as cooking and repair activities.

Try to be aware of how your child is being taught math, and don't teach strategies and shortcuts that conflict with the approach the teacher is using. Check in with the teacher and ask what you can do to help. Ask the teacher about online resources that you can use with your child at home.

At the beginning of the year, ask your child's teacher for a list of suggestions that will enable you to help your child with math homework.

homeworkhelp

2008-12-25T01:43:00.000-08:00

Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.
Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.

Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.

Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.

Help your child with time management.

Establish a set time each day for doing homework. Don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.

Be positive about homework.

Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.

When your child does homework, you do homework.

Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.

When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.

Giving answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.

When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.

Cooperate with the teacher. It shows your child that the school and home are a team. Follow the directions given by the teacher.

If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.

Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.

Stay informed.

Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure you know the purpose of homework and what your child's class rules are.

Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.

Have your child do the hard work first. This will mean he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.

Watch your child for signs of failure and frustration.

Let your child take a short break if she is having trouble keeping her mind on an assignment.

Reward progress in homework.

If your child has been successful in homework completion and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g., pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.

tipsforparents

2008-12-25T01:41:00.000-08:00

parent involvement can have either a positive or negative impact on the value of homework. Parent involvement can be used to speed up a child's learning. Homework can involve parents in the school process. It can enhance parents' appreciation of education. It can give them an opportunity to express positive attitudes about the value of success in school.
But parent involvement may also interfere with learning. For example, parents can confuse children if the teaching techniques they use differ from those used in the classroom. Parent involvement in homework can turn into parent interference if parents complete tasks that the child is capable of completing alone.

When mothers and fathers get involved with their children's homework, communication between the school and family can improve. It can clarify for parents what is expected of students. It can give parents a firsthand idea of what students are learning and how well their child is doing in school.

Research shows that if a child is having difficulty with homework, parents should become involved by paying close attention. They should expect more requests from teachers for their help. If a child is doing well in school, parents should consider shifting their efforts to providing support for their child's own choices about how to do homework. Parents should avoid interfering in the independent completion of assignments.

As this brief introduction suggests, homework can be an effective way for students to improve their learning and for parents to communicate their appreciation of schooling. Because a great many things influence the impact of homework achievement, expectations for homework's effects, especially in the earlier grades, must be realistic.

Homework policies and practices should give teachers and parents the flexibility to take into account the unique needs and circumstances of their students. That way, they can maximize the positive effects of homework and minimize the negative ones.

homeworkhelp2

2008-12-25T01:32:00.000-08:00

Is It Enough Homework?
The most critical question about homework is "How much homework should students do?" Experts agree that the amount of homework should depend on the age and skills of the student. Many national groups of teachers and parents, including the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), suggest that homework for children in kindergarten through second grade is most effective when it does not exceed 10-20 minutes each day. In third through sixth grade, children can benefit from 30-60 minutes of homework per day. Junior high and high school students can benefit from more time on homework, and the amount may vary from night to night.
Reading at home is especially important for young children. High-interest reading assignments might push the time on homework a bit beyond the minutes suggested above.

These recommendations are consistent with the conclusions reached by many studies on the effectiveness of homework. For young children, research shows that shorter and more frequent assignments may be more effective than longer but fewer assignments. This is because young children have short spans of attention and need to feel they have successfully completed a task.

Types of Homework
Homework assignments typically have one or more purposes. The most common purpose is to have students practice material already presented in class. Practice homework is meant to reinforce learning and help the student master specific skills. Preparation homework introduces material that will be presented in future lessons. These assignments aim to help students learn new material better when it is covered in class. Extension homework asks students to apply skills they already have to new situations. Integration homework requires the student to apply many different skills to a single task, such as book reports, science projects or creative writing.
In particular, math homework has been shown to be more important in the middle to high school grades and less important in the elementary grades. It starts to become important in the fourth grade and is increasingly important in the upper grades.