We bring you discussion, debate and issues from around the web and around the world by focusing on the most popular educational hashtags on Twitter

In a recent #edchat, teachers took to Twitter to discuss why homework persists as a teaching tool. The chat moderators asserted that research finds homework meaningless, although @davidwees clarified that “research has established no correlation between homework in lower grades and student learning”. He added: “Why do we do anything in education that contradicts research findings? Tradition, lack of knowledge, inconclusive findings.”

On the point of tradition, @iPadWells said: “Society is conservative about education. Parents and many teachers are uncomfortable dropping historical norms like homework.”

However, @ktenkely said a no-homework policy at her school had been well received: “Parents comment about how much family life has improved.” @stumpteacher backed this up: “Most parents are on board with no HW as it infringes on family time and causes stress at home.”

Meanwhile, @RCgurl207 called homework a “useful tool” if used properly. ”[It can] give a teacher the information needed to make adjustments.”

But @heffrey asked the chat to consider a group with a foot in each camp: teachers with school-age children: “Truthfully, as a family of educators with young school-age children, the last thing I want to do at night is homework.”

Sarah Cunnane

Keep up to date with the latest education chat online by following @TESScotland on Twitter