Promoting Mathematical Problem Solving and Explanation at Home: The Effects of Extended Homework Use

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Posters in Mathematics Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Generating explanations, particularly for another person, is associated with greater learning (Teasley, 1995; Rittle-Johnson et al., 2008). Additionally, Van Voorhis (2011) found that family involvement in homework increased student motivation and achievement. Using weekly homework assignments, we investigated the effectiveness of second graders solving word problems and explaining their thinking to a family partner, compared to independently solving and explaining. Requested family involvement improved accuracy and explanation quality on homework, but had no effect on independent performance on an in-class posttest. Results from an exploratory follow-up on a classroom that continued to use the family homework assignments for another semester showed that extended use of the homework greatly improved explanation quality but did not improve word-problem accuracy.

Authors

• Abbey M. Loehr, Vanderbilt University

• Bethany Rittle-Johnson, Vanderbilt University

• Aditi Rajendran, Vanderbilt Peabody College