Chapter X

The Assignment

Objectives

Explain the meaning and importance of assignments.

Identify the type and explain the functions of assignment.

Discuss some pointers in the giving of assignments.

Required Activities

Interview of students on how they perceive assignments and on how they perceive their teachers’ practice of giving assignments.

Lecture- discussion Sharing

Introduction

According to Lardizabel, et al., the value of the assignment in the teaching-learning process has long been recognized by educators. It is an integral part of any lesson. Good teachers plan their assignments well because the know that the success of any lesson depends in a large measure on the kind of assignment given to students. Students do assignments that are clear, worthwhile, and purposeful. To be able to make such an assignment is not easy especially for beginning teachers.

Meaning and Importance of the Assignment

The assignment is the part of the lesson which tells the pupils what they are to do and what they are to accomplish in the lesson. In the past, assignments were regarded as synonymous with homework.

The modern teacher looks at the assignment as:

a job to be done either at home or in class; a lesson to be studied; a them to be written; a project to be accomplished; an exercise to be explained; a selection to be memorized; A question to be answered; An interview to be accomplished; and A review of the past lessons lor lessons.

Such activities are parts of the teaching-learning cycle.

The assignment is the chief means of stimulating and directing learning activities inside or outside the classrooms. It helps in creating favorable attitudes toward the task to be done. The students take pride in their accomplishments and each assignment completed is regarded as an accomplishment which serves to motivate the students to do better.

the assignment can be the means of developing good study habits and independent work. They become deterrants to waste of time since a well-planned lesson gives specific tasks and goals to be accomplished.

Types of Assignment Individual assignment. The most time-and-effort-

consuming task for the teacher since he must consider each pupil’s needs, interests, abilities, and achievement level.

Group assignment. May be for a small group or it may be for the whole class. Activities in the small group assignment are tailored to the needs, interests, and abilities of the pupils belonging to a group.

The class assignment involves every member of the class.

Criticism has been leveled against this type of assignment since it does not provide for individual needs and interests.

Day-to-day assignments. Daily assignments given by the teachers in every subject.

Long-range assignments. Projects or activities to be accomplished over a greater length of time. Examples: panel discussions, dramatizations, debates, symposia, and fora. Projects are making scrap books, relief maps, doing experiments, collecting specimens, reading of novels, and other activities which involve some time to prepare are long-range assignments.

Functions of the Assignment To set the goal or direction of the learning activity. To review past lessons in preparation for a long test

or it may call for organization of ideas and concepts. To motivate the pupils and prepare them for the job

to be done. Deals with setting up definite learning activities to

be carried out. Deals with providing directions for the learning

activity. Establishment of the habits of studying regularly.

Requisites of a Good Assignment Authorities on principles and methods of

teaching agree that a good assignment should be: clear and definite; relates new learning to the old; significant and challenging; stimulating and challenging; adapted to the learner’s ability; comprehensive ; and includes large units of work.

When to Give Assignment There is no fixed time when the assignment

should be given, it may be given at any time during the recitation when the psychological moment arises. If the assignment has no direct bearing on the lesson at hand, it may be given at the end of the lesson. Giving the assignment depends upon the subject matter, the type of assignment, and the need for it.

Pointers to Consider in Giving Assignments

Make clear to the students the aims of the assigned task.

Make clear all directions, procedures, steps, cautions involved in the assignments.

Clear all difficulties so that learning will be smooth and continuous.

Evaluation of the project or task should be very clear.

Assignments should not be given as punishment.

Provisions for enough time to complete the assignment should be given.

Teachers should distinguish between homework and assignments.

Assignments should be within the ability of students in amount and difficulty.

Assignments must be checked. Assignments should be varied and interesting.

Evaluation of the Assignment

The following list of questions can help the teacher determine whether his assignment is good or not.

Are the objectives of the assignment attainable? Are the sources of materials available and accessible

to students? Are the directions clear and specific? Are the activities meaningful and worthwhile? Does the assignment make use of past experiences

of students?

The End….

Thank you for watchingand

God be with us always

Reporters: Jenita G. Novilla Jesusa A. Omping BTTE-IV