Is Homework Necessary?
Shivam Mali
9C
NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, INDIRANAGAR
2024-25
Abstract
Throughout generations a question has been posed: do students benefit from
writing homework and does homework fulfill its purpose? The debate about
the usefulness of homework causes many doubts in the educational public.
Learning outcomes and the importance of homework are different today than
twenty or more years ago. Contemporary students are not very interested in
this type of activity, showing a high degree of non-independence in performing
tasks outside the school environment.
Tasks are justified if they expand the possibility of learning and serve to
develop students' abilities and skills. Homework is necessary in the mother
tongue teaching, especially at the initial level of primary school education. The
teacher must control the quality and quantity of the homework, taking into
account the time the student needs to complete it and the type of goals he
wants to achieve in relation to the linguistic and literary material. Modern
technology offers numerous possibilities for creating creative homework.
Teachers will need to base out-of-school assignments on a solid understanding
of, and close cooperation with, the home educational environment, which may
include cable television, home computers, videotapes and videodiscs, and links
to information utilities. Guidelines for homework policy are provided.
Introduction
Is homework helpful? Is it harmful? Does it even matter? These questions have
spurred debate in homes and schools worldwide, and they likely will until the
end. In this article, we’ll look at some of the main arguments made by both
sides of the debate and see where they come from and how they can be
countered.
The research on homework since the 19th century in the United Kingdom (UK)
shows that there are considerable issues to be addressed in this area.
Governments have discussed it and the media have reported on it and it is still
a contentious issue for schools and homes alike. This study shows that there
has been very little change in the issues surrounding homework for over a
hundred years and that no political party in office will take a stand on it. Even
though schools would like to see a change in policy it is not on the government
agenda.
The study worked with six secondary schools in one town over a fixed time
period to collect information to discuss some of those questions being asked
around the issues related to homework. The literature review looked at
documents dating back to 1880 when similar questions were being asked about
the relevance of "keeping in" and in 1881 "home lessons" was a newspaper
article. A teacher training manual in 1885 contained a chapter on home lessons
and those advantages and disadvantages described in the book are very similar
to the advantages and disadvantages described in 2004. Hansard recorded
discussions in parliament from 1884 about the overpressure put on pupils.
Home conditions and the support given by parents in completing homework
have been discussed both in the media and in parliament.
Comparisons are made between homework in the UK and other similar
countries using internationally collected data. The mixed method research
included questioning students, families, teachers and governors. Interviews
were conducted with senior teachers at the schools, with responsibility for
implementing the homework policy.
School documents were scrutinised including the home-school agreement,
homework policies and homework guidelines for students, families and
teachers. The findings of this study showed that there are differences between
the main stakeholders, students, families, teachers and governors, in the
knowledge, views and opinions of homework. Students, families, teachers and
governors differed in their opinions, with many students and families, although
seeing some benefits, opposing the setting of homework due to the impact on
family time and the stress caused by it.
While teachers and governors supported the setting of homework and the
important contribution it made in school. There are differences between
different types of schools and those with lower and higher ability students and
the influence that homework has on the stress levels of those students in
higher performing schools. Homework is seen as a marketing tool for some
schools to use in selling themselves on the competing educational market
place.
Literature Review
Pros for Homework
Homework teaches students various beneficial skills that they will carry with
them throughout their academic and professional life, from time management
and organization to self-motivation and autonomous learning.
It helps students of all ages build critical study abilities that help them
throughout their academic careers. Learning at home also encourages the
development of good research habits while encouraging students to take
ownership of their tasks.
It helps to reinforce classroom learning. Students typically retain only 50% of
the information teachers provide in class. Homework is most effective when it
allows students to revise what they learn in class.
Homework helps parents track what their children are learning in school.
It also allows parents to see what their children’s academic strengths and
weaknesses are. Homework can alert parents to any learning difficulties that
their children might have, enabling them to provide assistance and modify
their child’s learning approach as necessary.
Parents who help their children with homework will lead to higher academic
performance, better social skills and behavior, and greater self-confidence in
their children.
Cons of Homework
A research study on homework sourced from researchgate.com has displayed
the disinterest and under-the-table effects of homework.
The graph shows an overall trend of an astounding number of 20-30% of
students agreeing to the negative effects of homework.
A study conducted on high school student’s experiences found that high-
achieving students found that too much homework leads to sleep deprivation,
headaches, exhaustion, weight loss and stomach problems.
More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress,
and we know what stress can do on our bodies.
It’s been shown that excessive homework can lead to cheating. With too much
homework, students end up copying off one another in an attempt to finish all
their assignments.
Children need free time. This free time allows children to relax and explore the
world that they are living in. This free time also gives them valuable skills they
wouldn’t learn in a classroom, such as riding a bike, reading a book, or
socializing with friends and family.
Having leisure time teaches kids valuable skills that cannot be acquired when
doing their homework at a computer.
Plus, students need to get enough exercise. Getting exercise can improve
cognitive function, which might be hindered by sedentary activities such as
homework.
Numerous researchers have attempted to evaluate the importance of
homework and how it enhances academic performance. According to a study,
homework in primary schools has a minimal effect since students pursue
unrelated assignments instead of solidifying what they have already learned.
Mental health experts agree that heavy homework loads have the capacity to
do more harm than good for students.
Conclusion
Homework is and has been an integral part of school for many years. However,
in the last few years, some professionals have begun to question whether or
not homework should be a part of school or not. Opinions vary greatly on this
position. Some have even gone on to claim that it is unwarranted and even
detrimental to students’ education. Others mean that it is an absolute
necessity. This dissertation is an investigation of the viewpoints on the
rationale for homework of 6 teachers of English at junior high level. In order to
gain insight to their views, qualitative interviews were utilized. The results
show that each of the consulted educators of English utilizes homework as a
learning tool in their teaching. The purpose of assigning homework is that it
fills the function of giving the students the opportunity to review, to take
responsibility in keeping a schedule, planning and for their education, and to
train in studying. If students are to be assigned homework, it is imperative that
the homework is interesting for them and that the pupils see it as something
that will promote their development in the subject.
In conclusion, homework is necessary, but must be assigned while keeping in
mind the limitations of the pupils, the appeal of the assignment and the pupils
point of view.
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