Student Reported Distractions to Homework Completion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distractions that keep 8th grade students from completing their homework. Much research exists about homework across all grade levels. The bulk of this research highlights high school and university students. Research on middle school students and what affects their academic performance is lacking. The participants were 8th grade reading students. Students filled out a survey detailing what subjects they forgot to complete homework in. The survey also listed various distractions that caused incomplete homework assignments and asked students to detail one specific incident when they did not complete their homework. Data was limited due to a small number of consent forms returned. The surveys revealed that there are multiple distractions that keep students from completing their homework. No student chose one single distraction. Having students explore homework distractions through the survey motivated them to reflect on their own responsibility in their learning and offered more insight to the teacher about distractions during homework. Future research should focus on middle school distractions at specific grade levels so that educators can make teaching strategies for academic success a priority in the classroom.