Research article | Open Access
Turkish Journal of Teacher Education 2025, Vol. 14(1) 1-14
Utilizing Homework to Enhance Out-of-school Learning and Foster Autonomy Development
pp. 1 - 14
Publish Date: June 30, 2025 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0
Abstract
This study was conducted to gather information about how university students learning English as a foreign language managed their learning processes while doing homework as an out-of-school learning activity. Possible signs of autonomy development were also investigated. The participants of the study consisted of 22 learners of English at a state university in Izmir, Turkey, and their teacher. Retrospective self-reports written by students and observation notes of the teacher/researcher were used for data collection over a 12-week period. The data was analysed through directed content analysis. Difficulties encountered during the homework production phase and ways of coping with them were discussed in detail. High motivation, positive attitudes towards language learning, self-awareness, decreased anxiety, self-confidence, self-evaluation, taking responsibility, and creating own tasks, which were thought to indicate autonomy development, were found. The study also underlined the need for teachers to consider the social and economic differences among students when assigning homework. Overall, the findings suggest that thoughtfully designed homework tasks, combined with reflective support, can enhance learner autonomy and foster long-term independent learning skills.
Keywords: Homework, Learner Autonomy, Out-Of-School Learning, EFL
APA 7th edition
Ozturk, O.A. (2025). Utilizing Homework to Enhance Out-of-school Learning and Foster Autonomy Development. Turkish Journal of Teacher Education, 14(1), 1-14.
Harvard
Ozturk, O. (2025). Utilizing Homework to Enhance Out-of-school Learning and Foster Autonomy Development. Turkish Journal of Teacher Education, 14(1), pp. 1-14.
Chicago 16th edition
Ozturk, Ozlem Ari (2025). "Utilizing Homework to Enhance Out-of-school Learning and Foster Autonomy Development". Turkish Journal of Teacher Education 14 (1):1-14.
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