Home assignments - thing of the past?

Are homework a thing of the past? I think we shouldn't get rid of them, but definitely change how our pupils do them today...

Lately I've been pondering about the fact that homework may not be doing what they should for our pupils. The need for practice exists, but the way done today may be old and archaic. I find myself looking for alternatives. Do you have any idea about it? Do you regard home assignments as extra, as co-operative measure between the pupils or as practice? Did you get rid of it completely?

What do you think? Please let me know where you're from, since it's quite different based on location...