{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/b2fb5f0b-0ce7-4e5c-b6e0-9b1febd06aea/66fd61f54f98175c7523e5ae?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Is homework a waste of time?","description":"<p>Whether you’re eight or 18, homework is part of your school day. But should it be? And how much should children be tasked to do? And what is the point?</p><p><br></p><p>Irish Times parenting columnist Jen Hogan is clear: primary-school children should not be given homework, ever. She tells In the News that years of parenting and research informs her firm view.</p><p><br></p><p>Irish Times education editor Carl O’Brien says that while homework is a heavily researched area in other countries, Ireland is lagging behind when it comes to understanding how much homework Irish children are doing and in measuring the benefit – or the harm.</p><p><br></p><p>Now, says O’Brien, Maynooth University has produced a study that shows that 15 minutes is the optimum time for homework – in each subject – for secondary-school pupils.</p><p><br></p><p>Produced by Aideen Finnegan and John Casey. Presented by Bernice Harrison.</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}