Whether homework is useful for students or not has been a reason for debate among teachers and parents for long. While some believe that homework has little or no impact on a child, others believe students stand to gain much from homework.
Is homework going to benefit the students? Should parents allow their children to be given homework in addition to rigorous school work? Here are three pros and cons of homework.
Pros of Homework
1) Homework is an indication of academic development
Assigning homework is a way of tracking students’ level of development. Homework allows teachers to know whether students are learning or not. This approach makes it easier for teachers to identify the needs of their students, those who need more attention, and those who are comprehending well.
2) Homework provides more learning time
Homework extends the learning time of students. Most school subjects don’t go beyond 30-60minutes of classroom teaching. Giving students homework provide them more time to study and learn, allowing them to affirm the knowledge acquired from school. Insufficient time can cause partial learning. Homework can help to fix those learning gaps.
3) Homework strengthens the parent-child relationship
A lot of parents find themselves too busy to even ask about their children’s school activities. With homework, parents will be compelled to provide their knowledge to benefit their wards. It is also a means for parents to know if their children are developing academically and what they will be needing.
Cons of Homework
1) Homework reduces students’ rest time
Most students put in so much energy and seriousness into their education. They hardly get enough time to rest their head during school hours. The only time to relax is when they get home. Giving them homework will most definitely minimize their rest time. For students to be academically sharp, they need sufficient time to rest and play.
2) Homework does not equate perfection
Assigning homework does not mean that students will become academically sound. Many students have to rely on other students or their parents to get the resources for their homework. The purpose of homework is to help students further understand the topics learned in school. If the basics of that information are not adequately understood, then the use of that homework is lost.
3) Homework reduces the ability to be creative
Teachers often make homework about the students’ ability to create something out of nothing. Its structure is to get the homework done, not how it is done. This arrangement shows that homework only teaches compliance rather than concepts of skill development. This method results in students getting their homework done and not being creative.
Conclusion
Arguing on the advantages and disadvantages of homework may continue ages as parents and teachers give their personal views on the topic. If this debate continues, the student will be at the receiving end. It is then of necessity that both sides find common ground so that the students can get the best of the educational process.