A Reason to Change 
In the past, I would tell tutors that assigning homework should be optional and determined by the individual's life situation. Do they work a lot? Is their home environment too chaotic for studying?  If yes, then homework should not be required.

I now believe tutors should ask their learners to complete at least 15 minutes of self-study each day.  I have changed my opinion due in part to a cultural shift in adult education. The evidence in this shift can best be seen at the community colleges. The expectation is that Transitional Learning programs, Adult Basic Education, GED and ESL classes, are a jumping off point for students. The skills learned in these classes are a platform that serves as a foundation for later success in a trade, higher education, and/or a healthier lifestyle. Further proof of this movement is the fact that many instructors in the Transitional Learning department at Whatcom Community College are teaching from the textbook On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and in Life. The change in adult education fits with our mission here at WLC - - empowering adults to improve their lives and achieve their goals through literacy. Only with proper study habits can individuals attain their goals whether it be preparing for a new job, earning a GED or creating a healthy mind set ( I can read and write!). This is why I have changed my thinking about homework. Giving learners the opportunity to practice skills that will serve them well in all learning endeavors is essential to our work at WLC.

A Guideline as provided by On Course by Skip Downing 

• Employ prime learning times. Help your learner identify what time of day he or she works best. Create a homework calendar together with those peak times in mind.
• Activate positive thinking. Foster the belief that "practice makes perfect" by asking your learner to write an affirmative statement about the value of homework time like the following - - "My strong study habits makes learning more effective and enjoyable." Suggest that he or she refer to it when faced with a decision to choose homework over less important activities.
• Create a study space.  Talk to your learner about where they could set up a comfortable space with limited distractions and learning resources are close at hand. Minimum requirements include a good chair, adequate light and room to spread out materials. Encourage learners to personalize this space by putting up inspiring pictures/sayings or fresh flowers. I recognize that some of our learners are not able to study at home. The tutoring room at the downtown library is open to the public and can be reserved by anyone. Learners can ride the bus for FREE to the library by contacting WLC for tickets..
• Gather all materials. Have your learner create a checklist of materials that he or she will need to complete homework assignments. As a general guideline list paper, pencil, calendar and WLC Tutor & Learner Handbook. For the individual that lives in an environment that is not conducive for learning help him or her make a portable study toolkit.

A Starting Point  

Ideally, as a tutor you want to set up the expectation of homework from the get go. However, many of you have been tutoring for some time now and haven't made homework a requirement. No fault of your own!  As I mentioned at the start of this article - - the message I was sending to pairs is that homework wasn't a priority for our busy, adult learners.  Yet I learned from my colleagues in adult education and learners themselves that self-study is crucial for developing skills that will lead to success in life. It is not too late to ask your learner to follow the guidelines above and September couldn't be a better time!    

If you would like further suggestions on how to help your learner develop study skills please email jessica@whatcomliteracy.org