My teenage daughter's latest report refers to problems with homework; her teachers claim it regularly isn't detailed or long enough, yet she spends hours most nights working on her computer. She used to allow me to see her homework and help with it, but recently she has become unwilling to do this. She's just started her public exam courses and I'm worried - but perhaps the teachers are wrong?
Teacher Adam Conway replies:
I'm sure many parents would share your concern: you have raised one of the big issues that affect the lives of students and parents. It's also a very complex one.
I assume your daughter is perhaps about 15 years old? It may help to break down this topic into three interconnected parts: the way your daughter studies at home, your role in supporting her and what happens when homework is set by teachers.
Firstly, there isn't necessarily an exact match between the number of hours a student spends in front of a computer screen and the amount of work done.
I am not suggesting that you spy on your daughter, but students regularly have three or four programs or tools open on their computer, apart from their specific homework assignment. Some can even disguise, on-screen, what they are actually doing, but an overzealous or suspicious adult can also be caught out: a student may be using Facebook or MSN as a legitimate part of their homework.
Your daughter may also be skilled at multi-tasking, with music downloading that actually helps her to concentrate.