There needs to be distinction between different types of homework. Most people probably envision worksheets, problem sets, and book summaries. These sorts of "b

There needs to be distinction between different types of homework. Most people probably envision worksheets, problem sets, and book summaries. These sorts of "busy work" are rightfully derided by activists and commenters in this thread. However, my experience has been that more open-ended project-based learning is quite different. Things like science fair projects, making videos, and independently implementing math from class on programmable calculators engage students differently. Most students don't connect with every project, but it's a good way to feel out people's passions and harness them. When the student has agency in setting a concrete goal and deciding the specifics of how they spend their time, the material they are learning becomes a valued tool that saves them time and effort, rather than something being shoved down their throat. I used to despise everything related to math because the curriculum kept it segregated from other disciplines, thus hiding it's utility. It wasn't until I was playing around with 3D modeling software for an art project that I really understood how useful trigonometry is. There is something psychological at play that makes it easier to learn something when it isn't the main focus of the activity, but a supporting element needed to achieve a self-defined goal.