Syftet med studien är att ta reda på om och i så fall hur yrkesverksamma matematiklärare inom årskurserna 4-6 uppfattar att matematikläxan bidrar till elevernas kunskapsutveckling. För att få svar på studiens frågeställning använde jag mig av en kvalitativ metod i form av en halvstrukturerad intervju. De 3 respondenterna från intervjuerna arbetar på en grundskola i Mellansverige. Svaren från dessa respondenter analyserades utefter den fenomenografiska metodansatsen.  Studiens resultat pekar på att matematikläxan, i stor utsträckning, i dag används som en arbetsuppgift utanför skolan med fokus på färdighetsövning. Ett sett att använda läxan som ett redskap för färdighetsträning är att arbeta med läxan i digital form, vilket ur ett lärarperspektiv minskar lärarnas arbetsbelastning samtidigt som de anser att det är enklare att ge individuell läxa utifrån elevens behov och kunskapsnivå. Slutsatsen är att alla respondenterna i studien anser att matematikläxan främjar elevernas matematiska kunskaper, så länge läxan utgår från elevens nuvarande kunskapsnivå. / <p>Matematik</p>

xi, 86 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / After spending the day learning in elementary school, most children across the United States are given homework , assignments to be completed outside of the regular school day. Most research on homework conducted in elementary schools focuses on the relationship between achievement and time spent on homework. Little, if any, research has investigated the types of mathematics homework assigned to elementary students and its relationship to achievement. Given the continued practice of assigning homework and the gap in literature regarding research that investigates type of homework, as well as the paucity of homework research at the elementary level, there is a need for further research. Thus, the focus of this dissertation was to investigate the type of mathematics homework assigned to fifth-grade students, their interaction with the assigned homework and the relationship to achievement on a statewide test. This exploratory descriptive study used a convenience sample of fifth-grade students from a school district in the Pacific Northwest to examine the type of mathematics homework assigned to fifth-grade students, their interaction with the assigned homework, and the relationship between the homework students completed and their achievement on the statewide standardized test in mathematics. The majority of homework collected was correctly completed Direct Contact Practice homework. Furthermore, the mathematical strand of Calculations and Estimations was the most frequently assigned strand. Correlational analysis indicated that weak correlations with student total RIT scores on the statewide standardized test in mathematics existed in several areas. There was a correlation of .29 between the number of correct homework interactions and state test score, a correlation of .36 between the number of Direct Contact Practice homework and the RIT score, a -.28 correlation between the number of Other homework items completed and the RIT score, and a .26 correlation between the total number of homework interactions and RIT score. When the relationship between homework categorized by math strand and the state stranded math score was examined, there was a .36 correlation between the number of Algebra homework interactions and score on the algebra strand of the statewide mathematics assessment. Limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented. / Committee in charge: Gerald Tindal, Chairperson, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Keith Zvoch, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Philip McCullum, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Lou Moses, Outside Member, Psychology

This study investigates some students’ and teachers’ beliefs about the role of homework in mathematics in Sweden. By interviewing eight adolescent students and two experienced mathematics teachers the study discusses the role of homework in relation to learning, teaching, achievements, and relationship between students, teachers and parents. The results suggest that (a) students and teachers have similar beliefs and perspective on homework (b) students and teachers believe in the use of homework to increase mathematics test results (c) homework breeds relationship and communication between students, teachers, and parents (d) the quality and quantity of homework is essential, and that (e) well developed relationship between parents, students, and teachers is essential to create successful students who appreciate homework.

Homework in mathematics is a well-debated subject and can affect young children’s everyday life. This paper aims to investigate teachers' decisions regarding mathematics homework using the question “Which factors influence teachers in using homework in mathematics?” through an analysis of the existing research. The basis of the study consists of twelve articles and materials from different parts of the world. Results showed that many factors can impact the decision and how much is different from one teacher to another. Parents' view of homework and their influence on their children's learning in mathematics is something that emerged significant in the use of homework. The role of equality in the discussion of homework is also something that emerged as noticeable as all students have different prerequisites. The findings in our study showed that homework in mathematics do not have a negative impact on students´ academic achievement as long as the homework consists of a moderate amount. One of our most significant findings of this paper concluded that homework should be adapted to every individual and their needs, which teachers have to consider. Our professional development has increased by this study, as a result of a better understanding of the research area.

Syftet med denna studie är att belysa om, varför och hur några lärare i årskurserna 1-3 anser sig arbeta med matematikläxor. Syftet är även att undersöka dessa lärares definition av läxa samt att utifrån det samlade resultatet identifiera möjligheter och hinder med matematikläxa. För att samla in data till studien användes semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta lärare.  Studiens resultat visar att även om matematikläxan är inkluderad i undervisningen hos alla respondenter, skiljer sig syfte och definition åt. Vissa såg till exempel möjligheten till kommunikation med hemmen medan andra såg ett tillfälle för repetition. Resultatet visar även variation i hur matematikläxan används samt att den i sig själv kan utgöra möjligheter såväl som hinder för lärande. Vår slutsats är att matematikläxa som pedagogiskt verktyg används men är ett oreglerat område samt att en officiell riktlinje inom verksamheterna saknas. / The aim of this study is to identify if, why and how certain teachers of grade 1-3 consider to work with mathematics homework. Further the aim is to investigate the definition of homework and to identify opportunities and obstacles with including it as part of the teaching practised. To collect data for the study, semi-structured interviews have been performed with eight teachers. A presented results show that all respondents includes mathematics homework in their teaching but its purpose and definition varies. For example, some teachers sees it as a possibility of communication with the home while others sees it as an opportunity for repetition. The result also shows variations of how mathematics homework is used and that it can in itself constitute opportunities as well as obstacles to learning. The main conclusion of the study is that mathematics homework as an educational tool is an unregulated area with no official guideline in place.

Syftet för detta arbete är att undersöka relationer mellan matematikundervisning och matematikläxor i högstadiet. Litteraturstudien ska besvara vilken betydelse matematikläxor har för elever, föräldrar och lärare. Flera tidigare forskningsstudier har redan visat att läxor är ett viktigt verktyg för elevers allmänna lärande i skolan, men fokus för denna studie ligger på matematikundervisning. För att hitta litteratur som är relevant för undersökningen används sökmetoder beskrivna i metodlitteratur. Litteratursökningen sker i den nordamerikanska databasen ERIC och den nordiska databasen DIVA. Anledning till dessa två databaser valdes är att sökresultat i ERIC kan ge mer globalt perspektiv i matematikutbildning, medan resultat av litteratursökning från DIVA innehåller forskning från nordiska länder, vilka har mer liknande skolsystem som Sverige. Litteraturen ska vara refereegranskad för att den ska ha en god tillförlitlighet. Resultatet från litteraturstudien visar att samverkan mellan föräldrar, elever och lärare i matematikläxor har stor betydelse. Genom att förtydliga utformning av matematikuppgifter samt återkoppling kan lärare positivt påverka kvaliteten hos matematikläxor. Genom automatisk återkoppling blir digitala matematikläxor mer effektiva än traditionella matematikläxor. Forskning visar även att elevernas motivation är det allra viktigaste när det gäller matematikläxor. Föräldrars roll varierar beroende på kulturbakgrund. I en kultur där föräldrar brukar engagera sig i barnens läxor, kan deras roll vara stor, men om föräldrar saknar engagemang i barnens läxor, då är deras påverkan svag. Tänkbar forskning inom området i framtiden kan handla om hur många föräldrar som har förutsättningar att hjälpa barnen med läxor. Eftersom det finns läxhjälp i svenska skolan, kan man också forska om hur läxhjälpen påverkar elevers prestationer i läxor samt deras skolresultat i matematik. Nyckelord: Matematikundervisning, matematikläxor, grundskola, årskurs 7–9, familjens påverkan i matematiklärande / The purpose of this work is to investigate relationships between mathematics teaching and mathematics homework in grades 7 to 9 . The literature study will answer the importance of mathematics homework for students, parents and teachers. Several previous research studies have already shown that homework is an important tool for students' general learning in school, but the focus of this study is on mathematics teaching. To find literature that is relevant to the study, search methods are used that were described in the literature about methods. The literature search takes place in the North American database ERIC and the Nordic database DIVA. The reason for choosing these two databases is that search results in ERIC can provide a more global perspective in mathematics teaching, while results from literature searches from DIVA include research from Nordic countries, which have school systems more similar to Sweden. The literature must be peer-reviewed in order for it to have good reliability. The results from the literature study show that collaboration between parents, students and teachers in mathematics homework is of great importance. By clarifying the design of mathematics assignments and feedback, teachers can positively influence the quality of mathematics homework. Through automatic feedback, digital math homework becomes more efficient than traditional math homework. Research also shows that students' motivation is the most important thing when it comes to math homework. The role of parents varies depending on cultural background. In a culture where parents tend to get involved in their children's homework, parents' roles can be large, but if parents lack commitment to their children's homework, then their influence is weak. Possible research in the field in the future may be about how many parents have the potential to help their children with homework. Since there is study help for homework in the Swedish school, one can also research how such study help affects students' performance in homework and their school results in mathematics. Keywords: Mathematics teaching, mathematics homework, middle school, grades 7-9, the family's influence in mathematics learning