While some proponents of homework believe in its purpose, a question still persists about the role of homework in determining the student’s grade. Should homework be assigned and graded on a regular basis, or should it be viewed as an educational means to an end? As a means to an end, should one centralized school or district policy govern homework, or should some flexibility exist?
Education consultant Ken O’Connor (1999) suggests eight guidelines for successful assessment, which includes a directive to not mark every single assignment for grades, but rather take a sampling of student efforts in order to assess how much they have learned. His approach pushes for a more standards based approach in determining grades, combining formative assessment to track students’ grasp of lesson concepts as they learn, enabling adjustment of teaching practice on-the-fly, and summative assessment in the form of a test or quiz, which measures the level of student knowledge and understanding after the learning process. This is also a valuable tool for the teacher, as they may be better able to gauge the efficacy of their lessons and unit.In a study conducted by Hill, Spencer, Alston and Fitzgerald (1986), homework was positively linked to student achievement. They indicate that homework is an inexpensive method of improving student academic preparation without increasing staff or modifying curriculum. “So, as the pressure to improve test scores continues to increase, so does the emphasis on homework” (p. 58). 142 school systems in North Carolina were contacted.
Of the initial 142 schools, 96 responded, and were sent three-part questionnaires seeking information about the existence, scope, development and evaluation of homework policies in their schools. The researchers cite several general conclusions based on their findings, including the importance, and apparent lack, of homework policies in existence. Despite the pervasive nature of homework in every participating school, only 50% of the schools indicated the existence of a written homework policy.
Amongst the policies reported by the other half of the participating schools, most of the policies specified the type or quality of homework to be assigned, and allowed some flexibility in the assignment and evaluation of homework. The authors indicated:
. (Hill, Spencer, et. al, 1986, p. 68)
Homework is seen as a valuable resource for teaching, allowing students to practice, and in doing so, learn the unit material. This study documented the importance of flexibility in the assignment and evaluation of quality homework assignments, but also the alarming lack of a written homework policy in 50% of the participating schools.
It can be drawn from this study that some type of homework policy is necessary, as is the assignment of higher cognitive types of homework and the flexible assessment and grading of that work in order to foster and track student learning.
Cauley and McMillan (2009) define formative assessment as, “A process through which assessment-elicited evidence of student learning is gathered and instruction is modified in response to feedback” (p. 1). The authors suggest the use of feedback in the process, but suggest a steering away from performance-goal oriented extrinsic motivators such as grades. Emphasis on performance and grades during the formative process can be detrimental to eventual student achievement because it might shift student focus away from their goal of mastery of course material to concern over the way their abilities might be judged by their peers (Cauley & McMillan, 2009, p. 3).
Constructive feedback throughout this process maintains the focus on mastery goals created at the outset, and provides the student with the support necessary to make connections between new learning and prior knowledge. Homework, ongoing formative assessment, and feedback are all considered to be part of the instruction process. Grading and recording the work completed throughout this time would not accurately create a record of the student’s level of understanding and knowledge because they are still in the process of learning the material.
McMillan, Myran and Workman (2002) conducted a study of over 900 teachers in order to investigate the assessment and grading practices in practice. The authors used surveys returned by a sample of 901 participating teachers of grades 3-5, representing a total population of 1,561 teachers of those grade levels from 124 schools near Richmond, Virginia.
The surveys featured a 6-point scale for participants to rate the emphasis they placed on different assessment and grading practices, with 1 being and 6 representing The findings revealed relatively low emphasis on homework grades, but also a positive correlation between the importance of homework and increasing grade levels. The authors state that:
. (McMillan, Myran, & Workman, 2002, p. 209)
This study documents the importance of homework in the construction of knowledge, but also identifies the fact that there was little emphasis placed on the grades for that work. The majority of the assessment for the students was derived from test and quiz scores, or other forms of summative assessment.
O’Connor (1999) begins his list of eight guidelines for successful assessment with the indication that the only acceptable basis for student grades is their own individual achievement. He goes on to specify that grades recorded must measure the student’s achievement of the learning goals established at the outset of the unit. This suggestion is aligned with the information provided by Cauley and McMillan (2009), which emphasizes the importance of setting mastery goals prior to the instruction process.
They also convey the idea that feedback, and not grades, should be used during the learning process, as formative assessment takes place. The true measurement of what the student has learned comes at the end of that learning process, in the form of a summative assessment, which McTighe and O’Connor (2005) suggest also be used at the outset of the unit to establish realistic performance goals:
. (McTighe and O’Connor, 2005, p. 2)
Waiting until the end of a unit, however, to measure student learning is a mistake, since the time for instruction and learning of that material has ended. It is in the course of the instruction and learning process that McTighe and O’Connor also place importance on the formative assessment process.
Homework is a form of formative assessment, along with draft work, ungraded quizzes and other exercises used with the intent of guiding and instructing the student to promote higher-level cognitive connections. Placing little or no emphasis on grades on those types of exercises and activities allows for focus on the mastery goal, and keeps feedback constructive. “Although teachers may record the results of formative assessments, we shouldn’t factor these results into summative evaluation and grading” (McTighe & O’Connor, 2005, p. 1).
This philosophy could be seen in the low levels of emphasis placed on homework grades in the study by McMillan, Myran, and Workman. Effort, ability, and improvement remained important factors in that study, and McTighe and O’Connor echo that idea in their discussion of replacing old student achievements with new ones. They take into consideration, the varying learning curves of different students, and their progress toward goals set at the beginning of the unit. A student will likely have a greater mastery over the unit material at the end of instruction, than at the outset of instruction.
That point, at the end of instruction is the appropriate time to measure what the student has learned, allowing improvements to replace previous difficulties or failures. McTighe and O’Conner (2005) note, “Allowing new evidence to replace old conveys an important message to students – that teachers care about their successful learning, not merely their grades” (p. 6).
The material reviewed has established the importance of the existence of a flexible, written homework policy on a school or district level. Mr. O’Connor presents a total package, in this respect, to schools and districts that are seeking to establish a policy, or re-evaluate their current one. Following my research and analysis of the relationships between the literature, and Mr. O’Connor’s work, questions still remains unanswered, possibly to be addressed in further study: Will students be motivated to complete homework and/or classroom activities that they know will not be graded?
If there were a problem with student motivation in this respect, what would the impact be on achievement in a setting where the same, or similar type of policy is in place? If a teacher wishes to use homework for the purposes of ungraded formative assessment, they must be certain that the work is truly that of the learner him or herself, with no outside assistance coming from family members or tutors they might see outside of school. This is a major problem related to the use of homework in this way, as homework results may not truly be indicative of the student’s acquired knowledge.
Cauley, K., McMillan, J. (2009). Formative assessment techniques to support student motivation and achievement. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection.
Good, T., Brophy, J. (2003). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Hill, S., Spencer, S., Alston, R., Fitzgerald, J. (1986). Homework policies in the schools. . Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database: .
McMillan, J., Myran, S., Workman, D. (2002). Elementary teachers' classroom assessment and grading practices. . Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database: .
McTighe, J., O’Connor, K. (2005). Seven practices for effective learning.
O'Connor, K. (1999). Arlington Heights: .
Retrieved from Professional Development Collection.Good, T., Brophy, J. (2003). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Hill, S., Spencer, S., Alston, R., Fitzgerald, J. (1986). Homework policies in the schools. . Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database: .
McMillan, J., Myran, S., Workman, D. (2002). Elementary teachers' classroom assessment and grading practices. . Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database: .
McTighe, J., O’Connor, K. (2005). Seven practices for effective learning.
O'Connor, K. (1999). Arlington Heights: .
Carbone II, S. A. (2009). "The Value of Homework: Is Homework an Important Tool for Learning in the Classroom?" , (12). Retrieved from
Carbone II, Steven A. "The Value of Homework: Is Homework an Important Tool for Learning in the Classroom?" 1.12 (2009). < >
Carbone II, Steven A. 2009. The Value of Homework: Is Homework an Important Tool for Learning in the Classroom? 1 (12),
CARBONE II, S. A. 2009. The Value of Homework: Is Homework an Important Tool for Learning in the Classroom? [Online], 1. Available:
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Are teachers assigning too much homework.
Posted September 5, 2016 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan
The value of homework has been the subject of debate over the years. In regards to research, the jury is still out as to whether homework positively impacts a student's academic achievement.
In the past, I have written a couple of posts on homework and whether or not it is being used or abused by educators. I am always amazed at what some of my young readers share about sleepless nights, not participating in extracurricular events, and high levels of stress —all of which are attributed to large and daunting amounts of homework .
There have been studies that show that doing homework in moderation improves test performance. So we can’t rule out the value of homework if it’s conducive to learning. However, studies have also shown that the benefits of homework peak at about one hour to 90 minutes, and then after that, test scores begin to decline.
Now, while looking at data, it’s important to review the standard, endorsed by the National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association , known as the "10-minute rule" — 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night. That would mean there would only be 10 minutes of homework in the first grade, and end with 120 minutes for senior year of high school (double what research shows beneficial). This leads to an important question: On average, how much homework do teachers assign?
A Harris Poll from the University of Phoenix surveyed teachers about the hours of homework required of students and why they assign it. Pollsters received responses from approximately 1,000 teachers in public, private, and parochial schools across the United States.
High school teachers (grades 9-12) reported assigning an average of 3.5 hours’ worth of homework a week. Middle school teachers (grades 6-8) reported assigning almost the same amount as high school teachers, 3.2 hours of homework a week. Lastly, K-5 teachers said they assigned an average of 2.9 hours of homework each week. This data shows a spike in homework beginning in middle school.
When teachers were asked why they assign homework, they gave the top three reasons:
Approximately, 30 percent of teachers reported they assigned homework to cover more content areas. What’s interesting about this poll was the longer an educator had been in the field the less homework they assigned. Take a look at the breakdown below:
While many agree that homework does have a time and place, there needs to be a balance between life and school. There also needs to be communication with other teachers in the school about assignments. Oftentimes, educators get so involved in their subject area, they communicate departmentally, not school-wide. As a result, it’s not uncommon for teens to have a project and a couple of tests all on the same day. This dump of work can lead to an overwhelming amount of stress.
Educators, how can you maximize the benefit of homework? Use the questions below to guide you in whether or not to assign work outside of the classroom. Ask yourself:
Educators: As a conclusion, I have provided a few of the many comments, that I have received below. I think it’s important to look at the age/grade level and messages these teens have shared. Take time to read their words and reflect on ways you can incorporate their perspective into course objectives and content. I believe the solution to the homework dilemma can be found in assigning work in moderation and finding a balance between school, home, and life.
“I am a 7th grader in a small school in Michigan. I think one of the main problems about what teachers think about homework is that they do not think about what other classes are assigned for homework. Throughout the day, I get at least two full pages of homework to complete by the next day. During the school year, I am hesitant to sign up for sports because I am staying up after a game or practice to finish my homework.”
“I'm 17 and I'm in my last year of high school. I can honestly tell you that from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (sometimes 1 or 2 a.m.) I am doing homework. I've been trying to balance my homework with my work schedule, work around my house, and my social life with no success. So if someone were to ask me if I think kids have too much homework, I would say yes they do. My comment is based solely on my personal experience in high school.”
“I am 13 and I have a problem: homework. I can’t get my homework done at home because it is all on my school MacBook. I don’t own my own personal computer, only an Amazon Fire tablet. What’s the problem with my tablet? There are no middle or high school apps for it. You are might be wondering, “Why not bring the MacBook home?” Well, I am not allowed to, so what is the punishment ? Four late assignments, and 1 late argument essay. And 90% of the homework I get is on my MacBook. This is a mega stresser!"
Raychelle Cassada Lohman n , M.S., LPC, is the author of The Anger Workbook for Teens .
Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.
Author: Bethany Spencer
Posted: 15 May 2017
Estimated time to read: 10 mins
Homework as a concept has been around for hundreds of years, and today is considered the norm for modern schools. At secondary level, schools set regular homework via a whole-school homework policy. This can take many forms and is sometimes given a different name like 'home learning' or 'Independent study', but the concept of completing work outside of the classroom remains the same.
The setting of homework is regarded highly by many with Epstein & Van Voorhis stating that it not only reflects on the success of the student, but also the success of the school (2001). In spite of this, attitudes towards homework are constantly changing, culminating in the age old homework debate.
Attitudes towards the value and purpose of homework are usually reflective of the current societal stance and general sentiment towards education. For example, in the 20th century the mind was seen as a muscle that would benefit from memorisation, and since this could be done at home, homework was perceived as valuable. However, come the 1940s where emphasis shifted from drills to problem solving, people started to view homework negatively (Cooper, 1989).
Yet, fast forward to 1957, the year Russia launched Sputnik, and society became concerned that students were not ready for the advanced technologies that were creeping into modern life, leading many to start favouring homework again.
Although, reflective of the attitudes in the 1960s, homework fell out of favour with the belief that it put too much pressure on students (Cooper, 1989). This is why we find ourselves encased in a spiral of ever changing attitudes towards homework which looks set to continue.
We believe that homework plays an important role in both a student’s education and the performance of the school. Here we look at academic research, but also take into account the opinion of leading educators who give weight to the stance that homework serves a purpose that penetrates far deeper than improving a student’s general understanding of a subject.
The purpose of homework can be grouped into ten strands as stated by Epstein & Van Voorhis (1988, 2001, p.181) ‘practice, participation, preparation, personal development, parent-child relations, parent-teacher communication, peer interactions, policy, public relations and punishment.’ This suggests that homework affects more areas than just a student’s academic ability.
However, when we look at the research that focuses on the link between homework and academic achievement we see that homework does in fact have a positive impact on students’ grades . Sharp (2002) states there is a direct link between students spending time on homework and their achievement in secondary school.
Cooper similarly found that students who completed homework had better report cards and test results than those who didn't (1989 cited by Epstein & Van Voorhis 2001). In a report conducted by the EEF, they also found that the completion of homework at secondary level can add on an additional 5 months progress onto a child’s learning with minimal cost incurred by the school (EEF, 2016).
In addition to the academic findings, teachers themselves have commented on the purpose they believe homework provides to students and schools. Epstein (1988, 2001, p.181) found that teachers recognised ‘practice, preparation and personal development’ to contribute to the overall purpose of homework.
Homework helps to " develop learners' knowledge and allow them more choice in how they express their work"
Tom Sherrington, a Headteacher at a UK secondary school and influential education blogger, has expressed his personal views on the value of homework: ‘Students who are successful at A Level and at GCSE are those who have highly developed independent learning skills, have the capacity to lead the learning process through their questions and ideas’ (Sherrington 2012a).
This suggests that even those who do not see an immediate impact from homework, believe that it will help students’ personal development but also prepare them for the next stages of education and beyond. This is further supported by Sharp (2002) who recognised that, despite homework not having a direct link to achievement in younger children, it did promote independent learning and prepare them for secondary school.
A second UK teacher and education blogger, Rachel Jones, commented on what she believes to be the purpose of homework and found that it had a positive impact on both retention of knowledge and hand-in rates when the homework set was assigned with the intention to ‘develop learners knowledge and allow them more choice in how they express their work’ (Jones 2013).
In addition to the correlation between completing homework and improved achievement, homework plays a fundamental role in both home-school involvement and students’ relationships with their parents. A key purpose of homework outside of ‘enhancing instruction’ is to ‘establish communication between parent and child’ (Acock & Demo, 1994 cited by Cooper et al, 20016, p.2).
Homework acts as a bridge between school and home, and the ability to engage parents in school life has a positive impact on teachers - when teachers feel as though there is more parental involvement in school they feel more positive about teaching (Epstein & Dauber, 1991, Hoover-Dempsey et al, 1987 cited by Epstein & Van Voorhis, 2001).
Acock and Demo (1994, cited by Epstein & Van Voorhis 2001, p.182) have even stated that homework can help to improve relationships between parents and students, bringing them ‘closer together to enjoy learning and exchange ideas’, cementing the idea that homework has greater repercussions than just raising academic achievements within school.
In addition to this, a purpose of homework valued by both parents and teachers is the idea that homework completed regularly by students helps to promote ‘a sense of responsibility’ (Warton 1997, p.213). Moreover, Sherrington (2012b) comments on his stance as both an educator and a parent saying that he firmly believes that homework has a fundamental part to play in the learning process ‘and paving the way to students becoming independent learners’.
Although in order for homework to really show the benefits expressed in this article it must be purposeful . Students have expressed their opinion on the value of homework, deeming it to be an important part of the learning experience (Sharp 2002).
Yet, they do express concerns regarding how homework is set relating to ‘conflicting deadlines, and tasks that make little contribution to learning’ (Sharp 2002, p.3). In order to combat these concerns, schools should be vetting the quality of homework set, and teachers should be communicating with one another in reference to deadlines.
The idea of setting purposeful homework is further supported by Epstein & Van Voorhis (2001, p.19) who report that those who set homework ‘to meet specific purposes and goals, more students complete their homework and benefit from the results’. Additionally, the idea of setting homework with a clear purpose further encourages parental involvement within the child’s education.
"Quality homework types to include ‘fluency practice, application, spiral review and extension"
Purposeful homework is intrinsically linked to quality homework , and when teachers are setting homework the emphasis should be on this as opposed to the quantity. In order for homework to be regarded as high quality, the instruction provided must be clear and detailed (Frey & Fisher, 2011), and the tasks that are being set are ‘authentic and engaging’ (Darling-Hammond & Ifill-Lynch 2006, p.1) providing students with a real reason to complete them.
This is further supported by Dettmers et al (2010) who found that when students identified homework as being well thought out and relevant, they were more motivated to complete it. Frey & Fisher (2011) identified quality homework types to include ‘fluency practice, application, spiral review and extension’ and denounced the value of homework that asks students to complete work that was not covered in class as not valuable as they have no peer or teacher support and are unfamiliar with the topic.
It is also important to consider the implications of focusing on the amount of homework set - setting too much homework can have detrimental effects on students, such as stress, fatigue and loss of interest in studies (Cooper, 2010).
From this we can gather that fewer pieces of well thought out homework will have more of a positive impact on students’ learning. It is important for schools to monitor the amount of homework that is set, what is being set and the frequency so as to avoid over-working students - having a homework policy which teachers adhere to will help to enforce this.
Homework encourages self-development and self-discipline. Students who complete regular homework don't just perform better at school and during exams, they learn broader life skills and associate hard work with long term rewards. Homework has also been found to improve parental relationships.
From this we can conclude that homework does indeed serve a purpose as studies provide a link between homework and higher secondary school attainment. Yet despite a lack of research to suggest these effects in primary school and younger years, homework will help to prepare students younger than 11 for secondary school and encourages them to become independent learners.
The setting and completion of homework also has benefits outside of academic attainment with parent-child relationship and home-school involvement both improving within schools as a result of successful homework practice.
However, it must be taken into consideration that in order to experience the benefits of homework, the work being set should have a clear goal, as well as being worthwhile and purposeful to encourage students to complete it.
References:
Cooper, H., 1989. Synthesis of Research on Homework. Effective Schools Research Abstracts [online], 4 (1), 85-91
Cooper, H., 2010. Homework’s Diminishing Returns. The New York Times [online], 12 December 2010. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/12/12/stress-and-the-high-school-student/homeworks-diminishing-returns [Accessed 1 July 2016]
Cooper, H. and Robinson, J.C. and Patall, E.A., 2006. Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement? A synthesis of Research, 1987-2003. Review of Education Research [online], 76 (1), 1-62
Darling-Hammond, L. and Ifill-Lynch, O., 2006. If They’d Only Do Their Work! Educational Leadership [online] 63(5), 8-13, Available from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb06/vol63/num05/If-They%27d-Only-Do-Their-Work!.aspx [Accessed 1 July 2016]
Dettmers, S at al., 2010. Journal of Educational Psychology. Homework works if homework quality is high: Using multilevel modeling to predict development of achievement in mathematics. [online], 102(2), 467-482. Available from: http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/edu/102/2/467/ [Accessed 1 July 2016]
EEF, 2016. Teaching and Learning Toolkit [online] London. Available from: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit [Accessed 1 July 2016]
Epstein, L.J. and Van Voorhis, F.L, 2001. More than Minutes: Teachers’ Roles in Designing Homework. Educational Psychologist [online], 36 (3), 181-193
Frey, N. and Fisher, D., 2011. High-Quality Homework [online] USA: Principal Leadership. Available from: http://fisherandfrey.com/uploads/posts/Homework_NASSP.pdf [Accessed 1 July 2016]
GOV.UK, 2015. School Inspection Handbook from 2015 [online]. England: The National Archives. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-handbook-from-september-2015 [Accessed May 2016)
Jones, R., 2013. DESTROY Homework. Create Innovate Explore [online] 12 August 2013. Available from: http://createinnovateexplore.com/destroy-homework/ [Accessed May 2016]
Sharp, C., 2002. Should Schools set Homework? National Foundation for Educational Research [online], 27 (1), 1-4
Sherrington, T., 2012. Homework Matters: Great teachers set great homework. Headguruteacher [online]. 2 September 2012. Available from: https://headguruteacher.com/2012/09/02/homework-matters-great-teachers-set-great-homework/ [Accessed May 2016]
Sherrington, T., 2012. Homework: What does the Hattie research actually say? Headguruteacher [online] 21 October 2012. Available from: https://headguruteacher.com/2012/10/21/homework-what-does-the-hattie-research-actually-say/ [Accessed May 2016]
Warton, P.M. 1997. Learning about responsibility: Lessons from homework. British Journal of Educational Psychology [online], 67(2), pp. 213–221
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How much homework is too much? Not enough? Who should get it? These are just a few of the questions that have been debated over the years. While the research produces mixed results, there are some findings that can help inform decisions about homework.
Whether homework helps students and how much homework is appropriate has been debated for many years. Homework has been in the headlines again recently and continues to be a topic of controversy, with claims that students and families are suffering under the burden of huge amounts of homework. School board members, educators, and parents may wish to turn to the research for answers to their questions about the benefits and drawbacks of homework. Unfortunately, the research has produced mixed results so far, and more research is needed. Nonetheless, there are some findings that can help to inform decisions about homework. What follows is a summary of the research to date:
Most teachers assign homework to reinforce what was presented in class or to prepare students for new material. Less commonly, homework is assigned to extend student learning to different contexts or to integrate learning by applying multiple skills around a project. Little research exists on the effects of these different kinds of homework on student achievement, leaving policymakers with little evidence on which to base decisions (Cooper 1989; Foyle 1985; Murphy and Decker 1989).
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Wonder of the Day #1385
SCIENCE — Health and Fitness
Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Nicolas from fort lauderdale, FL. Nicolas Wonders , “ Who invented homework? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Nicolas!
What has eight letters and strikes fear into the hearts of students around the world? No, it's not broccoli, but that was a good guess! Give up? HOMEWORK !
Did you just gasp in fear and anguish ? We're sorry, but homework is a fact of life and it's time we took a closer look at it. Even though it might get in the way of playing outside or watching your favorite television show, it's necessary and, believe it or not, good for you!
Homework creates a bridge between school and home. Parents rarely get to spend much time with you while you're at school. Homework allows them to keep up with what you're doing in your classes on a daily basis. But you don't have homework purely for your parents' benefit . It's good for you, too!
Homework can help you become a better student in several different ways. First of all, homework given in advance of a particular subject can help you make the most of your classroom discussion time. For example, before beginning a discussion of a complex period in history , it can be very helpful to read background information as homework the night before.
Homework also gives you valuable practice with what you've learned in the classroom. Often, the brief period of time you have during class to learn something new is simply not enough. Repeating classroom concepts at home helps to cement in your mind the things you learned.
For example, you've probably experienced the value of homework when it comes to mathematics . A new concept explained in class might seem foreign at first. With repetition via homework, however, you reinforce what you learned in class and it sticks with you. Without homework, a lot of classroom time would be wasted with repetition that could more easily be done outside the classroom.
In these ways, homework expands upon what is done during the day in the classroom. Your overall educational experience is better, because homework helps you to gain and retain more knowledge than would be possible with only classroom work. As you learn more, you know more and you achieve more…and you have homework to thank!
Homework teaches lessons beyond just what's taught in the classroom, too. Bringing homework home, completing it correctly, and turning it in promptly teaches a host of other important life skills, from time management and responsibility to organization and prioritization .
Despite these benefits found by researchers, the topics of who should receive homework and how much homework are hotly debated among educators and researchers. In one study , researchers found that academic gains from homework increased as grade level increased, suggesting homework is more beneficial for older students. Some researchers have found that too much homework can lower or cancel its benefits and become counterproductive , because students become burned out.
How much is too much? That depends upon many complex factors, including the individual abilities of the child, other demands upon time, such as sports, part-time jobs, family responsibilities, and types of classes. If you feel overburdened by homework, the best thing you can do is to open a dialog with your teacher. Be open and honest about your feelings regarding homework and work with your teacher to strike a reasonable balance that helps you achieve your educational goals.
Tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day feels just like home!
We hope today's Wonder of the Day didn't feel like homework! Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member:
Wonder contributors.
We’d like to thank:
quenton , Jaiden , Leo , Grace and Lenysia for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!
Keep WONDERing with us!
Hopefully this article helped you realize why homework is helpful, nyiahna. Keep WONDERing with us!
Don't get homework at this school. :)
Hopefully this article helped you realize why homework is helpful!
yeah me too a lot
Wow, that's great for those schools! Thanks for stopping by, Mister C.
You're welcome, Person!
Thanks for sharing, Joe!
That's a great way to look at it, Adriana!
That's a great way to look at it, Adriana! Thanks for sharing!
Homework could benefit you. It gives your brain an easier time when you get a surprise quiz.
That's a difficult one, Wonder Friend!
It certainly is hard to do homework while at play practice! There are so many cool things going on!
Trying to complete your math homework right after you get home and have had dinner might be the best bet. Good luck!
We're so glad you liked it, Ellen The Happy Girl!
We like your enthusiasm, tyonna!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Student! That's an interesting concept.
There's nothing wrong with being a big ol' nerd.
And, there's nothing wrong with Invater Zim fanfic, either.
so is checking these comments like a full time job or
Here at Wonderopolis, we do have specific people that check comments, but we do much more than that!
There's a specific amount of time during a school day--and that doesn't make a lot of time for 'independent practice' of skills learned during the school day.
Also, it's a GREAT idea to share your homework with your parents!
Thanks for sharing your opinon, Joe!
That's a great question, Brady. You should post it in the Wonder Bank .
You're welcome, Chase!
That's great, loren! Care to share your fun homework hack?
Hey, Wonder Friend. We're sorry you think homework is a waste of time. Practice is really important when learning new things.
Hi sofia!
What's your secret for making homework fun? I'm sure a lot of our Wonder Friends would like to try it out!
That seems to be a common theme, ashley.
We're sorry to hear that, harrison.
Yikes! Well, it's important to have good time management skills so you can get everything turned in!
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Harold!
Thanks for sharing your thought process, Tyrannie!
That's great, Xavier-B-! Make homework interesting!
Hey, Adriana! We have a wonderful Wonder team that works together to accomplish all the Wonderopolis tasks. There is a core group of three currently, but we have people that pop in occasionally to help with things.
my next wonder is how do you know if a boy likes you because i just got a boyfriend and hes really shy.
Make sure you submit it to the Wonder Bank !
That's legit. We totally understand your position!
Thanks bunches, CaptainObvious!
Hey, Lil' Mousey--
We have some Wonders about cheese already. Check them out !
I know right! ☺️
Thanks, E&E!
Thanks for sharing your opinion, kev.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Giani.
Jeez bro. It’s boring. All you do is sit there and fill out worksheets and assignments. We already do work at school. Why do we need work at home? It’s boring,bro,it’s boring. That’s why nobody likes it.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Elvisssss.
None taken. ? And, we're glad you respect homework because it's a great way to practice skills.
It's Crule??
...but necessary!
Video gamessssss??????????????
Great reward for finishing homework!
Video games DUH! I have one! Would you rather eat only fried chicken for the rest of your life or suffer from homework every single day for the rest of your life. Plz reply ??
I would pick fried chicken because I’m a HUGE chicken fan. Not a homework fan. One time my teacher gave the class a big report that day and said it was due the next day. It wasn’t fair because I had to miss football practice because I had to work on it.
We're sorry that happened, ChickenFries.
Homework. Definitely.
I love homework it the best i love not being able to play with my friends and doing my homework call me i will do your homework. [redacted]
It may, Catlyn, but practice makes perfect!
Homework is a way for students to practice skills. It takes, on average, doing something right 18 times before it becomes a habit. So, writing a sentence with subject/verb agreement 18 times(ish), means you have mastered that skill.
Until you get to more complicated stuff.
The sources are listed in the left column of the WONDER, ZERVA.
Homework is the independent practice of a skill teachers need to make sure students can perform on their own.
We're sorry homework stresses some people out. That's a great subject to bring up with parents and teachers, though!
We're sorry to hear that, Carter.
I'm sure a lot of our Wonder Friends share your opinion! ?
Oh,ha ha ha.???I am not a so called Wonder Friend. Are you a robot?!
? Everyone who comes to Wonderopolis are our Wonder Friends!
We're not robots. We actually respond to most of the comments made.
your not one person, your multiple people who are in the "Wonderopolis" company
Oh...sorry about that...I didn’t mean to say that. I’m sorry x100 ☹️????
It's ?
We think you're not alone in that emotion!
OMG YOU ARE SO RIGHT. But to be honest I just hate it
That's WONDERful, Mason!
We're glad we could be of assistance, Wonder Friend!
Maybe this WONDER about expectations will help.
Hi, Lulia! It's important to finish your homework so that you can continue to learn about topics discussed in school! What is your favorite subject in school?
Hi, caileigh! Yeah, though homework isn't the most fun activity after school, it will help you learn more about what you learned in school!
Hi, Sara! We're sorry to hear that you're having homework problems ?.
All homework does is make students stressed out and make less time for them to be with their family and relax
no homework is based on the work we do in school and you will get better at your work.
We're so sorry to hear that you're having a tough time with homework, Wonder Friend ?. Homework is important, and time with family and relaxing is important, too!
u think all of our parents help with our homework? some of them dont, they see this as a "student's responsibility" and let them be and btw, if you delete this comment, it is easy to see that you don't want any negative comments about this and want to eliminate the people who think homework is bad
Hi, AngryPerson. We're so sorry that you're angry. We do want to hear our Wonder Friends' thoughts here at Wonderopolis. If you're having trouble with your homework, we hope that you ask your teacher for help. We appreciate your feedback!
This is so true! In my house, homework never connected me to my parents, because like work at school, I saw it as a test of what I could do individually. Thus, as all my time was taken up by homework, I almost never spent time with my parents. Now I feel isolated from them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kay. We definitely recommend spending quality time with family, and we hope that learning together is a way to connect with your family!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Mii. And we absolutely agree that spending quality time with your family is very important!! Perhaps you could tell your family fun facts that you learned at school? Learning new information is also very important, and it is awesome to share the information you learn with your family so that you can learn together! ?
Homework is both emotionally and mentally hurtful...Physically too-
We're sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your homework, Wonder Friend! We hope that you ask your teacher if you have any specific questions about your homework.
Hi, Llamaz! We hope that you are getting plenty of sleep, too! Check out Wonder 1775: Do Kids Need More Sleep Than Adults? Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for asking, rather! We ask that Wonderopolis be listed as the author. Also, since we do not list the publish date for our Wonders of the Day, you may put the date you accessed this page for information. The following is how you would cite this page:
"Why Do We Have Homework?" Wonderopolis. https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-we-have-homework . Accessed 25 Apr. 2018.
Hang in there, Louie! It sounds like you're working really hard on your homework and essays, which is awesome!!
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us, Louie. We know that homework takes a lot of work, but it's also helping you learn and Wonder!
Hi, Louie! What are you writing about in your essay?
Hi, Clara! We have MANY Wonders on these topics!! Our Explore Wonders tab contains over 2,100 Wonders, and if you scroll down on this page, you can search for Wonders by topics that you're interested in! Have fun WONDERing, Clara!
We're sorry to hear that you are having a hard time with your homework, Ben, but we think that you are doing a great job and working hard! Keep up the great work!!
Playing games is fun, but make sure you make time for your homework, too, Mitchell! Once you finish your the homework, you should check out Wonder 1732: How Are Video Games Made? ?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Benicio. Though the pros of homework are the focus of this Wonder, the second to last paragraph does list some potential cons:
"Despite these benefits found by researchers, the topics of who should receive homework and how much homework are hotly debated among educators and researchers. In one study , researchers found that academic gains from homework increased as grade level increased, suggesting homework is more beneficial for older students. Some researchers have found that too much homework can lower or cancel its benefits and become counterproductive , because students become burned out."
Hi, kody! We're glad that you're WONDERing with us!
We love hearing that, Jordan!! Thanks for letting us know, and thanks for WONDERing with us!
Thanks for WONDERing with us, Miles!
Hi, Ameir! It looks like you've really done some research on the subject!
Hi, ameir!! If you're having trouble with your homework, you may want to discuss specific questions you're having with your teacher. What is your favorite subject in school?
math and science are my favorite
Those subjects are very interesting!! Have you seen our Math and Science Wonders?
We're sorry to hear that, UJEY, but we're glad you're WONDERing with us!
It is important to take some time to rest, but homework is also important! We hope this Wonder helps explain why!
We're sorry to hear that, Gia, but we hope that this Wonder helps explain the many benefits of homework, too!
homework gets in the way of thing i want to do. I think teachers give homework just because they have nothing else to do. like isn't going to school enough work and it takes time away from my family especially my mom who cancer and i would want to spend more time with my mom. :(
We're so sorry to hear that, digeo! ?
school is kid preson!
We're sorry you feel that way! We think school is an excellent place to Wonder!!!
Thanks for WONDERing with us!
We're glad you liked this Wonder!! ?
Hi, Luke! Have you seen Wonder 1529: Why Do Cats Purr?
Hi, mew mew! Have you seen our Wonders about cats ?
Sorry, didn't catch that, jacob! Glad you're WONDERing with us though!!
Hello, Bob! We're always looking to hear more from our Wonder Friends!! ?
Thanks for stopping by to Wonder with us!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
Thanks for sharing! Sometimes it is difficult to balance homework and other activities. What are some of your favorite things to do when you're not doing homework?
We're sorry you feel that way, CN Olson!! We're glad you're WONDERing with us, though!
Thanks for joining the conversation, davaeh!
im sorry for anyone that feels that way but homework is good for you
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Great points, john! We hope you will have some more free time soon!! Thanks for WONDERing with us!!
We appreciate your feedback, jorge!
Agreed aswell
Does your school give homework, bob? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Sometimes, unfortunately, it does ?. Homework also has benefits too, though! Thanks, gavin!
That certainly does add up the majority of the day! The lessons we learn in school help us to grow up to be thoughtful and intelligent adults. We do agree that everyone needs a break sometimes, though! Hope you and our other friends get a few minutes to kick back and relax today!?
We should discontinue homework because some kids don’t do it or understand it, therefore kids start stressing and saying to there self I’m gonna get in trouble , I’m gonna get a bad grade and it basically leads in to this whole conflict .
Thanks for sharing, Liv!
Sorry you feel that way, Justin, but we're glad that you're WONDERing with us!!
Thank you bob, we should change our studies to something actually helpful.
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Bob. Thanks for WONDERing with us!
Homework is a disease I think we need a intercontinental cure research lab for it
But, unfortunately, creating this research lab may require some homework! ?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Hi! It's good to keep the conversation going about the amount of homework that students typically get.
Thanks for sharing that, Caden! Have you been back to Mars since being born there?
Yes, I went there with him I will send you a postcard next time we go. I think Mars is wrecking his brain.
My friend trolled me
? Be safe out there, Caden!
Must be a fun class! ?
Thanks for the feedback, Gyanve! Great to hear from you! ?
Perhaps they also suggested some coping strategies, too?
OOOOOOOOOOO
Not a roast
Hi again, Kai! Actually, if you look toward the bottom of the Wonder, under "Sources" you'll see where we got our information. We appreciate you checking up on us with a critical eye! It's always good to be a little skeptical and ask for more research and data. You're a smart Wonder Friend! We Wonder if you could do some research to find support for why schools SHOULDN'T have homework. We're curious to hear what you find!
www.Scholastic.com says that there is no evidence to say that homework benefits kids at all, and Washington Post says that homework on a national level is not related to academic success. Washington post also says that some lower income countries cultures normalize long periods of studying but it is uneffective, nd neotoday.org says that the link between assigned homework and academic achievement is drastically over inflated, What do you have to say about that?(sorry If I was a little harsh in my last two comments I was unhappy at the time) neotoday.org/2014/05/13/should-schools-be-done-with-homework) //www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/09/02/homework-could-have-an-effect-on-kids-health-should-schools-ban-it
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/subarticle.jsp?id=2953
WOW!! You've really done some EXCELLENT research from some reputable sources, Kai! Our Wonder Salute to you! One thing to note: in the Washington Post article, they do make a distinction that heavy homework loads in elementary can be negative. In higher grades, this might not be the case "Homework, in fact, is an important component of education for students in the middle and upper grades of schooling.". It certainly raises a very good question which is we shouldn't assume homework is helping and adding more homework all the time seems to definitely not be helping. It's a great question that deserves a lot more thought and research. Thank you for WONDERing and researching, Kai!
This might get moderated, but I am curious to see how how many people "talked" with me./?
How many people have responded to my comments
You would just have to look on this comment page and see who "replies" to your comment. Does that help, Kai?
What do you mean, exactly? We don't follow.
? Wow, tough review! Well, research does support that extra practice helps. We DO discuss the debate over how much homework and what kind. Truthfully, homework is probably not going anywhere anytime soon, so we wanted to help show our Wonder Friends how it can be beneficial and how one can get the most out of it. We appreciate hearing from you, Kai!
I'd agree with the fact that practice does help learning on a basic level of memory but, in experience as a student, I cannot say that homework could be considered "practice." I've had many-a-teacher that has given homework out and I've had to google search how to do most of it because I was never taught it in class. Homework is more of busy work in the way of doing hobbies, eating, sleeping, and a happy and healthy life style that could possibly be important in "the real world", as if this torture is as easy as petting a bunny. Homework CAN provide help in small, sparatic, doses. If you are bombarded with homework everyday, it really becomes more harmful than helpful.
Great thoughts, Jillian! Really well said and we appreciate you taking the time to share that with us! We wish more teachers made time to wonder with their class (and we are thankful for the great ones who do!).
you couldn't be more right school is about seven hours every 5 days a week for about a year and we still get work to take home like school is for learning there needs to be time to separate school life from your life like you can't just do work all day and you also get homework when it's holiday and there are enough going on in childrens lives than homework so this page is bad no one needs homework i learn more from youtube videos than school and children get anxiety enough from life like puberty, family, growing older school is just boring and you need time to settle your mind because in british schools they work you forever and the teachers are tough.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jaime! Hang in there!
I hate homework we do work every day at school teachers know what is is like because they been through homework.Let me put it to you guys i know some people hate homework and some do not.Most teachers just overdo homework.
Good thoughts, Edrick. Thanks for sharing and glad to have you WONDERing with us!
Do they write those essays in class or at home, Brielle? ?
they write the essays at home
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Yuguj! Glad to have you WONDERing with us on this important topic!
I agree so much I am so scared of not doing my homework or my grade might go down and that really isn't fair for me and my peers so great point!!!
That's a great point, Anonymous! In a perfect world, people would just do the work assigned and see the value in it. Sadly, it's hard to do away with the consequences and still have full participation. It's a challenging problem to try and solve, but we are glad you are WONDERing with us!
I think homework is a waste of time. it takes away from family time and exercise time.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Alisa! We think family time and exercise are important, too. The article did mention some reasons why homework has value, even if it doesn't always seem that way. Hang in there! It will all be worth it someday!
I am a very smart student with a brain to fit an adult, but even i get tired of homework. I have spent all day at school so I want a break. We don' need homework.
Yes, I agree and I too get tired of it. In my school they said that HW, was just the same lesson at home than at school. It is just a review. I am smart and don't study (LOL) and yet I have always gotten an A or a B in my tests (BTW, studying is considered homework for some reasons)
The struggle is real, Alisa. We do hope you get some time to give that super-smart brain a break! Thanks for using some of that brain power here with us at Wonderopolis!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kid77! Sometimes in life, the important things are not always the most fun. Some homework assignments might feel unnecessary but (as the article mentioned) there can be many functions of homework. At least in your case, if you learned the material well in class, it shouldn't take up as much time to complete at home. Sometimes, though, that extra practice can make the difference between knowing the information and truly mastering it. Hang in there, Kid77!
If you are bullied, tell a teacher, if the teacher is the bully.... I honestly can’t help you there.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, ethan. We're sorry it feels like you are being bullied by your teachers. Have you spoken with your school counselor or your parents? Perhaps they can help you resolve the issues you are facing.
Thanks for sharing your feedback with us, Alexia. We hope you'll keep exploring Wonders to find one you like!
Thank you for commenting, Boi. We hope you'll visit Wonderopolis again soon.
Thanks for joining the conversation, pretty456 and twanasia! We're glad you stopped by Wonderopolis!
you don't like homework?
Thanks for telling us how you feel, Isaac. We appreciate your feedback.
We're glad we could help with your homework, Pusheen! Since we do not list the publish date, standard MLA formatting says that it's OK to list the date you accessed the page for information. Check out the Purdue OWL website for more guidance.
Thank you for WONDERing with us, Isaac! We hope you'll take a look at Wonder #1534. We think it's right up your alley! ?
Certainly, Liesel! Thank you for asking. We ask that Wonderopolis be listed as the author of this Wonder of the Day. Since we do not list the publish date, you may use the date you accessed this webpage for information (such as November 27). Cheers, Wonder Friend!
We're glad you found this Wonder helpful, sonice! There are both advantages and disadvantages to homework and sometimes those points are contrary to each other. This happens when there are different studies performed by different researchers. Sometimes the results contradict other studies.
I used this source for a case study that I am conducting on homework. I was wondering if I could know who wrote the source and when it was published. If I am allowed to have this information, please respond. Thank you.
Thank you for using Wonderopolis for your homework, Liesel! Please see our response above. ?
I know the heather
Thanks for joining the discussion, D. We're glad you visited Wonderopolis.
We're glad this Wonder helped, suicune300, even if it didn't make you like homework any more! It's great that you're WONDERing! We hope you'll stop by again! :)
Hi, bill! We're not sure we understand your comment. Do you have homework about autism? If so, head over to Wonder #1346 to explore information about autism.
We're glad you joined the conversation, avery! We hope you liked reading this Wonder -- perhaps it helped you understand some of the advantages to homework. :)
We're glad you joined the discussion, Bob. Perhaps this Wonder helped to explain why homework is assigned to students. :)
Hi, amez! Sometimes it is helpful to take a break before starting your homework. Thinking can be tiring sometimes, but it's so important! :)
Thank you for sharing, Wonder Friend! :)
lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies lies
We're sorry you feel this way, bob. Thanks for sharing your opinion. We always value hearing from our Wonder Friends! :)
Hi, Christian. We're sorry you don't agree with this Wonder. We encourage you to also explore the Wonder Sources listed. Thanks for stopping by! :)
i hate homework
Thank you for sharing your opinion, yazzie! We hope this Wonder helped you to understand some of the advantages to homework, along with some of the disadvantages. :)
i really like this article, got an A+ on my report. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job, Wonder Friend! Keep up the GREAT work and always keep WONDERing! :)
Hi, Wonder Friend! We appreciate you sharing your opinion about homework! Thanks for WONDERing with us! :)
We appreciate you sharing your opinion about homework, nathan! Try to think about all the extra practice! :)
hey homework is good for your brain and help you to get smarter
Thanks for sharing your opinion, elroi!
Great question, tyler! If we know who submitted the question the author is listed up by the "Listen" button. This Wonder does not have an author listed. Sometimes people submit anonymous questions! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Thanks for the KIND words, Riley & Anna! We think our Wonder Friends are pretty AWESOME, too! We encourage you to submit your question to the Wonder Bank! :)
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts about homework, bob! We're glad you think it is helpful! :)
Thanks for joining the discussion and sharing your opinion, Brendon! We're glad you're WONDERing! :)
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Wonder Friend! Spending time with your parents is important, too! We encourage you to share this Wonder with them! :)
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts about this Wonder topic, too! Thanks for joining the conversation, Antonio! :)
Thanks for joining the conversation, Caroline! We appreciate you sharing your thoughts! :)
Hi, Makayla! We appreciate you sharing your thoughts about this important topic! Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis! :)
Welcome, Dionna! Thanks for sharing your opinion about homework! We're glad you're WONDERing! :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Bob! We understand that sometimes it is difficult, but try to also think about the positive aspects mentioned in the Wonder! :)
I notice that none of the evidence presented in the article is backed by any tests or studies to show that the claims presented in the wonder is true.
Oh wow. You got us, Unknown. Not a fan of homework, we are guessing? Did you try clicking any of our sources links? We appreciate you keeping us on our toes!
Hi, d! We understand it's important for you to have free time, too! We hope you still have time for that! :)
I think you are wrong I have to stay up all night to do my homework then at school I always fall asleep :(
We're sorry to hear that, Jack. Thanks for sharing your connection. Maybe you can talk to your teacher about that. :)
Thanks for sharing your opinion about homework, avry! We appreciate you joining the discussion! Hopefully you learned some of the positive aspects of homework! :)
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Bumble Bee! We understand that there are many different opinions out there about homework. We tried to address both sides, while also stating the positive aspects of homework. We hope you understand and Wonder with us again soon! :)
no your article is mostly one sided. the side being that homework is good
Thanks for sharing your opinion, Wonder Friend. You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of homework by reviewing the Wonder Sources we provided above.
Hi, Kayla! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We're sorry to hear homework is so stressful. We hope things get better! Stay positive! :)
That's GREAT, Emma! We love your enthusiasm for learning! Keep up the GREAT work! :)
Hi, Trinity! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about homework. Sometimes it can be frustrating if you have a lot, but try to stay positive! Keep up the GREAT work! :)
homework is stupid why why do we have it mmmmmmm i hate it..
Hi, tyson! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We're sure there is some good in homework -- just take a look at the Wonder text above to see! :)
A lot of students don't like homework, ..., and it can be challenging to keep up with homework with everything else going on in your life. The important thing is to do your best, because there are lots of benefits to homework even if it doesn't always seem like it. If homework is a regular problem, talk to your teacher or fellow classmates for help. We're glad you took the time to share your thoughts about homework.
To answer your question, Im pretty sure homework is NOT a law, but pretty much every teacher gives you homework. Depending on what grade you are in, usually grades 1-3 get 0-30 minutes of homework each night. grades 4-6 get 0-2 hour of homework each night, and Grades 7 and 8 get 30-3 hours of homework each night..... all of this depends on the student and how he or she learns. but this is what the average student gives to do homework in Elementary school
Thanks for the GREAT explanation, emma! You're right in that there are recommended amounts, but no particular law. We appreciate your comment! :)
Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis for your homework, Maya! Homework is not a law. It depends how much homework you have as to how long it takes. Also, some assignments, like projects, take longer than smaller assignments. We hope this Wonder was helpful in answering your questions! :)
Hi, Maya! No, homework is not a law. It is up to your teacher or school. We hope this Wonder helped explain how homework is helpful for practicing what you learned. We understand it is a pain sometimes, but we hope you understand! Thanks for WONDERing with us! :)
Hello, TENNIS is awesome! The WONDER mentions some reasons why homework is important, sch as extra practice. We appreciate your comment and you sharing your opinion with us! :)
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts, One opinion! Thanks for WONDERing with us! :)
Hello, hahahah! Homework can be time consuming sometimes, but keep thinking positively about all you're learning! :)
We appreciate you sharing your opinion, Goopdi! Sometimes it may seem like a chore, but it is always a good idea to practice what you learned at school. WONDERing is a WONDERful way to learn and have fun at the same time! :)
I believe homework is a waste of time!!
Hello, Shae Skipper! You make some great points to support your opinion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with your WONDER friends! :)
Why do we wonder?
That's a GREAT question, Alistair! WONDERing is a GREAT way to learn new things, have fun, and explore the world around us! :)
Hello WONDER Friend, connor essary! We are glad you enjoyed this WONDER. Here is another WONDER about homework. Wonder #491: Do Dogs Really Eat Homework? Enjoy! :)
Hi JoHaunn Mainwood! Thanks for commenting on this WONDER! We appreciate our WONDER friends sharing their thoughts! :)
Welcome, Bob! Thanks for WONDERing with us and commenting on the WONDER! :)
Hi McDonald's! Thanks for commenting on this WONDER. We hate to hear you hate homework. Homework is another way to learn and show others what you know. Check back for more WONDERS! :)
Hi Jaheim! We hate to hear you don't enjoy your homework. Homework is a great way to show your family and friends what you are doing in school. Keep working hard and WONDERing!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sara! You do learn more from doing your homework! Keep up the great work! :)
Hi David! We hate to hear you don't like homework because it helps us practice what we learned in school. Homework is different everywhere you go. Keep working hard! :)
Hello, Nicole! We hate to hear you hate homework. Homework can be great practice for what you are learning in school. We know you are working hard and doing a great job. Keep it up! :)
Welcome to WONDERopolis, keandre campbell! There are over 1,000 WONDERS for you to explore. Thanks for WONDERing with us. Check back every day for more WONDERful WONDERS! :)
That's great, Crazy! Keep up the great WONDERing! :)
It is not school is amazing!!!
Welcome, Wonder frog! We hate to hear you don't enjoy school. School is a great opportunity to WONDER and learn new things. Then you can share your new knowledge with your friends. Try checking out Wonder #1268: Why Was School Created? Always keep WONDERing! :)
I agree totally!
We appreciate you sharing your opinion about homework, too, Kaytlyn! Thanks for stopping by! :)
We appreciate you joining the discussion, Trinity! We hope this Wonder showed a few reasons why homework can be beneficial! :)
Hello, Jordan! Homework can be great practice. It helps you continue learning! :)
That's funny, Lukas Wozencraft! What do you think it will be about? Be sure to check back tomorrow! :)
Hello WONDER friend, Jahkeya from DE! What would our world be like if dinosaurs weren't extint? Hmmm...? Something to WONDER about! :)
We are glad you enjoyed the video, Jasahn! Homework is very helpful most of the time! Thanks for WONDERing with us! :)
We are glad you liked the video, Makayla! It made us laugh, too! Check out Wonder #1285: What Was Before Dinosaurs? Happy WONDERing! :)
Hello, Juilo from DE! Cheer up! Homework helps you practice what you are learning. After all, they say practice makes perfect! If you enjoy video games, check out Wonder #1344: Who Invented the First Video Game? Have fun WONDERing! :)
Welcome, Autumn from Delaware! The video was silly! Here is another WONDER about dinosaurs! Wonder #275: How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names? Enjoy! :)
Thanks for WONDERing with us, Sara! Check back everyday for more WONDERful WONDERS!:)
Hello, Gabriel! It sounds like many of our WONDER friends agree with you about the video. We all thought it was funny too! Thanks for commenting! :)
Welcome, Julian from Delaware! You stay busy! That shows true commitment and hard work! :)
Hi Geyonni! We are glad you liked the video. Can you imagine seeing a dinosaur at school? Check out Wonder #491: Do Dogs Really Eat Homework? Happy WONDERing! :)
I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for commenting, christina from De! You're right, that kids also need time to spend with their family. As the WONDER tells us, it is important to not have too much homework. That leaves time for both! :)
Thanks for sharing, Khyan from DE! Homework is helpful practice and playing with your friends is important, too. Hopefully you can find a happy medium between the two! :)
Not really... :(
im just here because of espark, of all you people you domt kn9w what espark is, well its not homework its just were on oir school ipads amd we do this app that novody wants to do and we have (quests) and are a bunch of activities put togethor.
That could be a very fun way to learn and WONDER, Mitchell!
Homework is so fun (not) homework = ?
lol really william
Thanks for joining the discussion, William. There are pros and cons to homework and we hope this Wonder helped you learn about them. ?
We appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Trinity! Thanks for visiting Wonderopolis! :)
That's right, Kainat from Delware! Homework is great practice! Keep up the great WONDERing! :)
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What is the value of homework.
What Is The Value Of Homework? By Brain Haley
Assigning homework serves various educational needs. It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, and supplements and reinforces work done in school. In addition, it fosters student initiative, independence, and responsibility and brings home and school closer together. Homework is the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned activities to practice, reinforce or apply newly-acquired skills and knowledge and to learn necessary skills of independent study. Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills.(Doyle, M. and B. Barber ). For example, students who have just learned a new method of solving a mathematical problem should be given sample problems to complete on their own. Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom. Students may, for example, be required to do background research on a topic to be discussed later in class. Extension assignments are frequently long-term continuing projects that parallel classwork. Students must apply previous learning to complete these assignments, which include science fair projects and term papers. Like mowing the lawn or taking out the garbage, homework seems to be a fact of life. Families play a vital role in educating children. What families do is more important to student success than whether they are rich or poor, whether parents have finished high school or not, or whether children are in elementary, junior high, or high school. Every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children. But the value of homework extends beyond school. We know that good assignments, completed successfully, can help children develop wholesome habits and attitudes. Homework can help parents learn about their children's education and communicate both with their children and the schools. And it can encourage a lifelong love of learning. Research in the last decade has begun to focus on the relationship between homework and student achievement and has greatly strengthened the case for homework. Although there are mixed findings about whether homework actually increases students' academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students' initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and the public. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by the teachers and have direct meaning to students. In addition to helping with homework, there are many other important ways that parents can help their children learn. Parents can encourage children to spend more leisure time reading than watching television. They can talk with their children and communicate positive behaviors, values, and character traits. They can keep in touch with the school. And they can express high expectations for children and encourage their efforts to achieve. Homework is an opportunity for students to learn and for parents to be involved in their children's education. A parent's interest can spark enthusiasm in a child and help teach the most important lesson of all--that learning can be fun and is well worth the effort. Teachers assign homework for many reasons. Homework can help children: . review and practice what they've learned; . get ready for the next day's class; . learn to use resources, such as libraries, reference materials, and encyclopedias; and . explore subjects more fully than time permits in the classroom. Homework can also help children develop good habits and attitudes. It can teach children to work independently; encourage self-discipline and responsibility (assignments provide some youngsters with their first chance to manage time and meet deadlines); and encourage a love of learning. Homework can also bring parents and educators closer together. Parents who supervise homework and work with their children on assignments learn about their children's education and about the school. Homework is meant to be a positive experience and to encourage children to learn. Assignments should not be used as punishment. Teachers assign homework for many different reasons, and students may not always endorse - or even understand - their teachers' goals. However, the fact that students don't always understand or agree with us doesn't give us the luxury of ignoring their views. Several factors argue against dismissing their complaints. For one thing, all of us act based on our own perceptions of the world, not on the perceptions of others. Adults often refuse to follow the advice of doctors to lose weight if they are not convinced losing weight is as important as the doctor thinks it is. Simply telling students they have to do homework because it's important is never going to be effective if we can't convincingly counter their complaints that it's not. For another, the reasons teachers give for assigning homework often match up badly with the specific assignments they make, another case of "talking the talk" without "walking the walk." For example, assigning homework to increase student mastery of the subject isn't going to work if the assignments are simply repetitions of skills a student has already mastered. Moreover, reasons that go beyond academic achievement, such as teaching students to work without supervision, are suspect in any event. In an exhaustive review of research on homework, Harris Cooper found that "no study has examined whether noninstructional purposes (e.g., creating parent awareness, punishment) have their intended effects" and concludes that "most problematic [in the research on homework] is the number Of homework outcomes that remain unresearched . Implied questions about policy are important ones: Who decides what kind of out-of-school student habits and child-parent interaction should be promoted? And why should the school be doing such promotion? And how do we know that homework is a good tool for noninstructional goals, anyway? Some policymakers are, in fact, beginning to listen to student voices. As a result, they are beginning to ask questions about factors such as how much free time students actually have. In California, for example, a school board member in the Cabrillo school district made national headlines when he proposed banning homework entirely. What to do about homework remains unclear, although this research implies that overnight assignments may not be the ideal norm and that all assignments ought. to be thoughtfully designed and clearly valued by the teacher. What is clear is that we should stop thoughtlessly assigning homework out of habit, assuming that students can and will do it, assuming that something good will come out of it, no matter what we assign. Too much harm - rebellious or indifferent students, angry parents and teachers - results when students refuse to do as they're told. Or, docile obedience breeds an expensive form of cynicism among students who do "play the game" knowing that the point is not learning, but earning the teacher's good opinion and good grades. It's time to stop dismissing students' criticisms as irrelevant excuses for laziness, to ask ourselves if we deserve their criticism, and to start thinking critically about exactly what we assign, under what conditions, and why. Homework helps children do better in school when assignments are meaningful, are completed successfully, and are returned with constructive comments from the teacher. An assignment should have a specific purpose, come with clear instructions, be fairly well matched to a student's abilities, and designed to help develop a student's knowledge and skills. In the early elementary grades, homework can help children develop the habits and attitudes described earlier. From fourth through sixth grades, small amounts of homework, gradually increased each year, may support improved academic achievement. In seventh grade and beyond, students who complete more homework score better on standardized tests and earn better grades, on the average, than students who do less homework. The difference in test scores and grades between students who do more homework and those who do less increases as children move up through the grades. (Easton, J. and A. Bennett) What's the Right Amount of Homework? According to some researchers, two ways to increase students' opportunities to learn are to increase the amount of time that students have to learn and to expand the amount of content they receive. Homework assignments may foster both these goals. Reforms in education have called for increased homework, and as a result, reports show that students are completing considerably more homework than they did a decade ago. According to statements by the National PTA and the National Education Association (NEA), the following amounts of homework are recommended: . From kindergarten to third grade, no more than 20 minutes per day. . From fourth to sixth grade, 20 to 40 minutes per day. . From seventh to twelfth grade, the recommended amount of time varies according to the type and number of subjects a student is taking. In general, college-bound students receive lengthier and more involved homework than students preparing to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Children need to know that their parents and adults close to them think homework is important. If they know their parents care, children have a good reason to complete assignments and turn them in on time. There is a lot that you can do to show that you value education and homework. Homework can bring together children, parents, and teachers in a common effort to improve student learning. Helping your child with homework is an opportunity to improve your child's chances of doing well in school and life. By helping your child with homework, you can help him learn important lessons about discipline and responsibility. You can open up lines of communication--between you and your child, and you and the school. You are in a unique position to help your child make connections between school work and the "real world," and thereby bring meaning (and some fun) to your child's homework experience.(Paaletin) Bibliography: . Doyle, M. and B. Barber (1990). Homework As a Learning Experience. What Research Says to the Teacher, 3rd ed. Washington, DC: National Education Association. 319 492. . Easton, J. and A. Bennett (1990). "Achievement Effects of Homework in Sixth Grade Classrooms." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. 320 675. . Murphy, J. and K. Decker (May-June 1989). "Teachers' Use of Homework in High Schools." Journal of Educational Research, 82 (5), 261-269. . Murphy, J. and K. Decker (February 1990). "Homework Use at the High School Level: Implications for Principals." NASSP Bulletin, 74 (523), 40-43. . Paaletin, 72 (507), 14-17. . Rutherford, W. (1989). "Secondary School Homework Practices: Uses and Misuses." Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association. About the Author: Courtesy: Ghost Term papers Source: www.isnare.com
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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > The Pros and Cons of Homework
School Life Balance , Tips for Online Students
Updated: July 16, 2024
Published: January 23, 2020
Remember those nights when you’d find yourself staring at a mountain of homework, eyes drooping, wondering if you’d ever see the light at the end of the tunnel? The debate over homework’s role in education is as old as time. Is it a crucial tool for reinforcing learning or just an unnecessary burden?
For college students, this question takes on new dimensions. Juggling homework with the endless amount of classes, part-time jobs, and social lives can feel like walking on thin ice. The pressure to maintain grades, meet deadlines, and still find time for friends and relaxation can be overwhelming. So, is homework a friend or foe?
The homework dilemma.
A large amount of college students report feeling overwhelmed by their academic workload, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. According to Research.com , 45% of college students in the U.S. experience “more than average” stress, with 36.5% citing stress as a major impediment to their academic performance. This stress often stems directly from the homework load, leading to symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, and difficulty sleeping. The intense pressure to manage homework alongside other responsibilities makes us question the true impact of homework on students’ overall well-being.
And then there’s the digital twist. A whopping 89% of students confessed to using AI tools like ChatGPT for their assignments. While these tools can be a godsend for quick answers and assistance, they can also undermine the personal effort and critical thinking necessary to truly understand the material.
On the brighter side, homework can be a powerful ally. According to Inside Higher Ed , structured assignments can actually help reduce stress by providing a clear learning roadmap and keeping students engaged with the material. But where’s the balance between helpful and harmful?
With these perspectives in mind, let’s dive into the pros and cons of homework for college students. By understanding both sides, we can find a middle ground that maximizes learning while keeping stress at bay.
When thoughtfully assigned, homework can be a valuable tool in a student’s educational journey . Let’s explore how homework can be a beneficial companion to your studies:
Homework isn’t just busywork; it’s an opportunity to stretch your mental muscles. Those late-night problem sets and essays can actually encourage deeper understanding and application of concepts. Think of homework as a mental gym; each assignment is a new exercise, pushing you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in ways that strengthen your critical thinking skills .
Do you ever juggle multiple deadlines and wonder how to keep it all together? Regular homework assignments can be a crash course in time management . They teach you to prioritize tasks, manage your schedule, and balance academic responsibilities with personal commitments. The ability to juggle various tasks is a skill that will serve you well beyond your college years.
There’s a reason why practice makes perfect. Homework reinforces what you’ve learned in class, helping to cement concepts and theories in your mind. Understanding a concept during a lecture is one thing, but applying it through homework can deepen your comprehension and retention.
Think of homework as a sound check and warm-up for exams. Regular assignments keep you engaged with the material, making it easier to review and prepare when exam time rolls around. By consistently working through problems and writing essays, you build a solid foundation that can make the difference between cramming and confident exam performance.
Homework promotes a sense of responsibility and independence. It pushes you to tackle assignments on your own, encouraging problem-solving and self-discipline. This independence prepares you for the academic challenges ahead and the autonomy required in your professional and personal life.
Despite its potential benefits, homework can also have significant downsides. Let’s examine the challenges and drawbacks of homework:
Homework can be a double-edged sword when it comes to mental health . While it’s meant to reinforce learning, the sheer volume of assignments can lead to stress and anxiety. The constant pressure to meet deadlines and the fear of falling behind can create a relentless cycle of stress. Many students become overwhelmed, leading to burnout and negatively impacting their overall well-being.
College isn’t just about hitting the books. It’s also a time for personal growth, exploring new interests, and building social connections. Excessive homework can eat into the time you might otherwise spend on extracurricular activities, hobbies, or simply hanging out with friends. This lack of balance can lead to a less fulfilling college experience. Shouldn’t education be about more than just academics?
When it comes to homework, more isn’t always better. Piling on assignments can lead to diminished returns on learning. Instead of diving deep into a subject and gaining a thorough understanding, students might rush through tasks just to get them done. This focus on quantity over quality can undermine the educational value of homework.
Homework can sometimes exacerbate educational inequalities. Not all students can access the same resources and support systems at home. While some might have a quiet space and access to the internet, others might struggle with distractions and lack of resources. This disparity can put certain students at a disadvantage, making homework more of a burden than a learning tool.
With the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT , homework has taken on a new dimension. While these tools can provide quick answers and assistance, they also pose the risk of students becoming overly reliant on technology. This dependence can take away from the actual learning process, as students might bypass the critical thinking and effort needed to truly understand the material. Is convenience worth the potential loss in learning?
Finding the right balance with homework means tackling assignments that challenge and support you. Instead of drowning in a sea of tasks, focus on quality over quantity. Choose projects that spark your critical thinking and connect to real-world situations. Flexibility is key here. Recognize that your circumstances are unique, and adjusting your approach can help reduce stress and create a more inclusive learning environment. Constructive feedback makes homework more than just a chore; it turns it into a tool for growth and improvement.
It’s also about living a well-rounded college life. Don’t let homework overshadow other important parts of your life, like extracurricular activities or personal downtime. Emphasize independent learning and use technology wisely to prepare for future challenges. By balancing thoughtful assignments with your personal needs, homework can shift from being a burden to becoming a helpful companion on your educational journey, enriching your academic and personal growth.
Homework has its pros and cons, especially for college students. It can enhance critical thinking, time management, and learning, but it also brings stress, impacts mental health, and can become overwhelming. Finding the right balance is key.
Focus on quality assignments, maintain flexibility, and make sure your homework complements rather than dominates your life. With a thoughtful approach, homework can support your educational journey, fostering both academic success and personal growth.
Create a schedule that allocates specific times for homework, classes, and personal activities. Use planners or digital calendars to keep track of deadlines and prioritize tasks. Don’t forget to include breaks to avoid burnout.
To manage stress, practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Break assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one at a time. If needed, seek support from classmates, tutors, or mental health professionals.
While AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for quick assistance, relying on them too much can hinder your learning process. Use them as a supplement rather than a replacement for your own effort and critical thinking.
Teachers can offer flexible deadlines, provide resources for students who lack them, and design assignments that account for different learning styles and home environments. Open communication between students and teachers can also help address individual challenges.
Focus on quality over quantity by designing assignments that encourage deep thinking and application of knowledge. Integrate real-world problems to make homework more relevant and engaging. Provide constructive feedback to help students learn and grow from their assignments.
In this article
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
Homework is an important component of the learning and growing process. It is a common practice for students to develop their skills and learn new information.
Homework is simply a general term that we use to describe work that you have to do at home. Typically, it’s assigned by the teacher during school hours and meant to be completed after school in the evenings or weekends.
Homework is loved and hated by many, but it is an integral part of education. It is not just a boring part of the learning process. It has a lot to offer!
So, why should students have homework? According to research conducted by Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper , there was a positive relation between homework and student achievement. He found out that homework can help students perform better in school.
This shows the importance of homework in a student’s life. Homework is not always popular with students because it takes away their free time at home.
However, there are many benefits associated with homework. Homework helps students understand the material in greater depth. Moreover, it allows teachers to assess how much the student has learned.
It is important to have a homework routine. A routine will help you know what to expect at the end of the day, and it will give you time to digest what you learned.
In addition, a routine will help you to be stress-free because you won’t be worrying about when to start your homework or whether you’re going to finish it on time.
So, here are some tips on how to set up a good homework routine:
These tips will surely make your student life easier and put you on the right track towards higher grades!
There are numerous reasons why homework is given in schools and colleges. Students can reap the benefits even in their professional lives.
But what exactly are the benefits of homework and how can it help students? Let us take a look at some of them:
They will learn to balance play and work. Students will also learn to complete assignments within deadlines by learning to prioritize their time.
It helps them understand the importance of time management skills . When they are assigned a project or a test, they will know when it is due, how much time they have to complete it, and what they need to do.
This also helps them in their future careers. Employees must be able to manage their time efficiently in order to be successful.
If a project is due soon, employees should take effective steps to get it done on time. Homeworks in the schooling years teaches this practice of time management.
Students get more time to review the content and this promotes self-learning . This is a big advantage of homework.
It also promotes continuous learning as students can revise their syllabus on their own. Homework gives them an opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
Homeworks help teachers track how well the students are grasping the content . They can modify their teaching methods based on the responses they receive from their students.
Students learn to become independent learners as they do their homework without any help from the teacher.
Studying at home also motivates students to study harder in order to achieve better results. This encourages them to take up more responsibilities at home too.
Homework provides practice time to recall concepts discussed in class, thereby enabling students to memorize facts and figures taught at school.
One of the advantages of homework is that it sharpens memory power and concentration.
Parents can assess how well their children are doing with regard to academic performance by checking their homework assignments.
This gives parents a chance to discuss with teachers about improving their child’s performance at school .
Revising together with other students can also help with understanding information because it gives you another perspective, as well as an opportunity to ask questions and engage with others.
Doing homework has numerous benefits for students. One of them is that it helps students learn the concepts in depth.
Homework teaches them how to apply the concepts to solve a problem. It gives them experience on how to solve problems using different techniques.
When students do their homework, they have to work hard to find all the possible solutions to a problem.
They have to try out different methods until they reach a solution that works. This teaches them perseverance and helps them develop their determination and grit to keep working hard.
Homework is important because it helps students to learn new and advanced skills. It promotes self-study, research and time management skills within students.
It also builds their confidence in tackling problems independently without constant help from teachers and parents.
Homework helps in building curiosity about a subject that excites them. Homework gives students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a subject matter.
When they become curious, they themselves take the initiative to learn more about it.
Homeworks allow students to learn the subject in a more detailed manner. It gives students the chance to recall and go over the content.
This will lead to better understanding and they will be able to remember the information for a long time.
Homework is not only a great way to get students to do their work themselves, but it can also encourage them to reduce screen time.
Homework gives students a good reason to stay off their computers and phones. Homework promotes the productive use of time .
The more they do their homework, the better they will get it. They will learn to manage their time in a more effective way and be able to do their work at a faster rate.
Moreover, they will be able to develop a good work ethic, which will help them in their future careers.
We all know that too much of anything can be bad. Homework is no different. If the workload of the students is too much, then it can lead to unnecessary stress .
Therefore, it is necessary for teachers to be mindful of the workload of students. That way, students will be able to enjoy their free time and actually enjoy doing homework instead of seeing it as a burden.
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Why is homework important? Homework can be a divisive topic. In this article, we will discuss why it’s important and how it helps with your child’s development.
There is a strong connection between regularly completing homework and higher accomplishments in subjects such as English, Maths and Science. The Department of Education in the United Kingdom advises that spending time doing homework brings several benefits, more so for the students who put in two to three hours a night. Understanding the value of homework can help increase motivation and productivity. In this article, we’ll help you understand why homework is important and discuss all its benefits for both children and parents.
Homework is important because it develops core skills in young children that will serve them throughout school and working life. Improved grades, discipline, time management, using resources and improving communication are all vital life skills that will open the door to unique opportunities and help children find success in their careers. Doing regular homework should be considered as an investment in your child’s future.
Through encouraging regular homework and supporting your child with their assignments, you can expect to see the following advantages:
Repeating a task multiple times can feel arduous, but it’s necessary to help increase your child’s skill and understanding of a subject. Regular homework will make certain concepts easier to understand and put them in an advantageous position should they seek a vocational career.
Homework goes beyond just the task itself; it helps children take control of their workload and increase their time management skills. Homework is set with a deadline and taking ownership of this deadline helps them think independently and develop problem-solving skills. This is a prime example of why homework is important because time management is a vital life skill that helps children throughout higher education and their careers.
Homework acts as a bridge and can help teachers and parents learn more about how students like to learn, providing a deeper understanding of how to approach their learning and development. Many parents also want their child to receive homework so they can understand what they’re learning at school.
Some children struggle to learn outside of their comfort zone, and while classrooms are designed to be warm and welcoming, there is often no place like home. Homework is an opportunity to learn and retain information in an environment where they feel most comfortable, which can help accelerate their development.
Throughout a child’s education, understanding how to use resources such as libraries and the internet is important. Homework teaches children to actively search for information using these resources to complete tasks, and this is a skill that will be fundamental throughout their lives.
Regular homework helps children discover a pattern that will help them when they’re required to study for important tests and exams. Children who are familiar with a routine of completing homework will find it easy to adapt to a schedule of doing regular revision at home. Skills such as accessing learning materials, time management, and discipline will help improve how children revise, and ultimately, improve their grades.
Children learn at different paces, and the time spent in the classroom might not be enough for some students to fully grasp the key concepts of a subject. Having additional time for learning at home can help children gain a deeper understanding than they would if they were solely reliant on their time in school. Homework is important because it gives parents and children the freedom and the time to focus on subjects that they may be struggling with. This extra time can make a big difference when it comes to exams and grades.
We’ve discussed why it is important to do regular homework, but children may still find it difficult to stay motivated. Parents can play an important role in supporting their child with homework, so here are some of the ways you can help.
Having a dedicated space for children to do homework will help them stay focused. Make sure it is well-lit and stocked with everything they’ll need for their assignments.
A regular routine helps children get used to working at home. Some children work best in the morning, while others may prefer the afternoon. Work out a routine where your child is their most productive.
Homework is important, but only if children use this time to learn. If you do the work for them, they’re not going to see any of the benefits we listed above. It’s important you’re there to support and help them understand the work, so they can do it themselves.
Recognising the hard work that they’re putting in and praising them for it is a great way to get children to respond positively to homework. Pin their impressive test grades up in their homeworking space or around the house for extra motivation.
Children can get overwhelmed if they have a lot of work to do. On homework-heavy nights, help them make a plan and break down the work into sections. This will help make the work more manageable. If your child responds well to this, you could do this each time they sit down to do work at home.
Understanding why homework is important and oftentimes necessary helps improve both motivation and productivity in young children. It also makes parents aware of the role they can play in supporting them. At Nord Anglia Education, we focus on bringing children, parents, and teachers together in a common effort to improve student learning through homework. You can learn more about our schools and the curriculum we teach by exploring our schools .
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By: Johanna Ibarra
Homework or not? This is a dilemma teachers struggle with every year and a topic that is tackled in an article in the September issue of AMLE Magazine .
I think we all agree that homework should not be assigned just to give students something to do. Homework should have a purpose and align with the goal of the lesson. This forces me, as an educator, to determine what is really important for students to know and be able to do to reach the lesson objective.
The value of homework is that students can share with you what they know and do not know in a way that does not take up valuable class time.
If I do grade the homework assignment, it is after we have spent time in class discussing the topic, and students have participated in activities around that learning goal. If that is not the case, I may do a quick check of students’ homework to see where they are, determine where they need additional support, or I use it as a pre-assessment so I know where to begin my instruction.
In my own classroom, assignments that are not completed in class are expected to be finished as homework. However, the expectation is not always the reality. Learners today are busy with extracurricular activities and busy families. Some students simply choose not to put in the time.
Therein lies another great challenge for educators: to follow through with expectations while being understanding of what’s going on with students inside their minds and outside the classroom.
Yes, even with homework, we must take each student and each situation as it comes and use our best judgment about what’s best for the student.
Johanna Ibarra is a sixth grade teacher in West Fargo, North Dakota. [email protected]
Published in AMLE Newsletter , September 17, 2013.
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How many times in week does your teacher give you homework? How often do you ask this question, ‘What’s the point of doing homework?’ School students often have difficulty in understanding the value of homework and the question ‘Is there value in homework?’ Homework is assignments given to students to complete at home. Homework allows students to practice and reinforce their academic curriculum. It involves basic reading, writing, solving mathematical problems, project work, etc. Parents can guide their children with homework and make them understand how beneficial they are. Below we have discussed a speech on is there value in homework.
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‘Good morning to everyone present here. Today, I stand before you to present my speech on ‘Is there value in homework.’ Homework teaches important lessons like self-learning, management skills, independence and responsibility, conceptual understanding, assessment preparation, etc.’
‘Homework is a powerful tool to reinforce classroom learning. It bridges the gap between what our teacher teaches us in class and what we can learn independently at home. Practicing homework at home allows us to solidify our understanding and make information more readily available for real-life situations.
We all struggle with homework in the beginning as we find it difficult to understand its values, importance, and the benefits it brings. Our parents and teachers often say ‘Do your homework before playing’ or ‘No TV before homework’. Parents want their children to focus on their learning, as it will benefit them in the long run, but, students find it difficult to do their homework as they think of it as a burden.’
‘There should be a balance between homework and playing. Students spending too much time on homework find it difficult to stay healthy, and those playing outside all day lag in school. Students must understand the value of homework.’
Benefits of homework include self-discipline, time management, responsibility, perseverance and determination, research skills, adaptability, coordination, etc. Homework involves research practices, where we learn more about a specific topic. This way, we can spend more time on a particular subject and hone our research skills.
Sometimes taking help from parents or elder siblings can help with our homework. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and foster a collaborative environment. Completing homework regularly results in better marks at school and an overall understanding of the subject.’
The value of homework cannot be measured by its quantity or number of pages assigned by your teacher. Our assignments are meant to deliver meaningful, purposeful, and constructive knowledge for educational growth. We can get help from our mentors and parents, but, our homework will always help us for our future work.’
Also Read: How to Tackle Bad Habits Speech
Here are 10 lines on homework that you can add to your speech on is there value in homework.
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Ans: Homework is beneficial in several ways, as it allows us to reinforce and practice our schoolwork. It teaches us the importance of learning, how to stay organised, prepare for future challenges, overcome challenges solve problems in due time, etc.
Ans: Homework is the work assigned to students to complete at home. Completing homework on time can be a rewarding experience, where our teacher praises our work and we enhance our understanding of a particular subject. Preparing yourself for the future is what homework is all about. We can prepare ourselves for future challenges by completing the homework assigned today. Teachers and parents encourage us to do our homework on time so that it doesn’t become a burden. Homework keeps us occupied in productive activities. Once our homework is complete, our parents allow us to play outside or video games, which is a rewarding experience.
Ans: Homework offers us several benefits like time management, responsibility, discipline, research skills, communication, independence, perseverance and determination, rewarding experiences, etc.
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Storm surge from Tropical Storm Debby has flooded Florida's coastal streets , rivers and low-lying areas. It also produced a cocaine bonanza.
"Hurricane Debby blew 25 packages of cocaine (70 lbs.) onto a beach in the Florida Keys," Samuel Briggs II, acting chief patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol in Miami posted Monday on X , formerly known as Twitter.
A Good Samaritan discovered the drugs, which Briggs said had a street value of over $1 million , and notified authorities. The location of the beach was not specified.
Hurricane Debby blew 25 packages of cocaine (70 lbs.) onto a beach in the Florida Keys. Good Samaritan discovered the drugs & contacted authorities. U.S. Border Patrol seized the drugs, which have a street value of over $1 million dollars. #Hurricane #Debby #Florida #floridakeys pic.twitter.com/nsjKu6qm8V — Samuel Briggs II (@USBPChiefMIP) August 5, 2024
Drug traffickers moving drugs from South America to the U.S. and using Caribbean " transit hubs " often result in floating packages of "square groupers." Often drugs in waterproof packages are left to float with a signalling device for pickup, such as was used in a massive 2-ton bundle of cocaine found off the coast of the Island of Sicily last April. Some may be in the water after being washed overboard by mistake.
Square grouper is a nickname that the Coast Guard called bales of marijuana thrown off boats and out of airplanes along South Florida's coast during the '70s. Eventually, the nickname expanded to include floating packages of cocaine.
In June a recreational boater found 65 pounds of cocaine worth over a million floating off the Florida Keys .
Divers retrieving what they thought was garbage on the ocean floor found 25 individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine with fake Nike labels. The very next day, 25 more packages washed ashore in Alabama . Another million in drugs washed up in the Keys in May.
Last year, 67 pounds of cocaine was found on a Volusia County beach with a street value of approximately $970,000. Earlier in June, bundles of cocaine washed up on a Volusia County beach three times in five days . Authorities said the drugs, which showed up on shores between Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, were believed to have been dropped from 30,000 feet by drug traffickers.
In April 2023, Vero Beach Police officers were conducting a lighting survey for sea turtles just after midnight when they found 20 bricks of cocaine weighing 57 pounds washed up on the beach. The street value was estimated by the USBP at $700,000.
In the same month, three packages of cocaine worth over $100,000 were discovered washed ashore in three different beach areas in Walton County.
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian pushed a duffel bag containing 15 kilos of cocaine worth about $300,000 onto a beach in Cocoa Beach and a single brick of cocaine onto a beach in Melbourne.
Once tested, drugs, or a sample of them. are kept secure for investigation and prosecution, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency told Fox 59.
Once a case officially closes, or there is no prosecution, illegal drugs are quickly destroyed by a closely overseen contractor or turned over to other agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Sword in the ... sand? What to do if you find a weapon, drugs or artifact on a Florida beach
Leave it alone and call local authorities.
Cannes 2024 takeaways: ai, authenticity and proving marketing’s value.
Emily Ketchen | Chief Marketing Officer & VP, Intelligent Devices Group & International Markets at Lenovo | Global Marketing Executive.
Each year, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity attracts the best and brightest from advertising, marketing and media to celebrate the global trends fueling creativity in our industry. I was fortunate enough to attend Cannes Lions for the second year in a row and once again took away many valuable insights from my peers. Here are some of the topics and trends that stood out to me this year.
While there was trepidation around AI’s role in marketing and advertising last year, this year it was evident that marketers are now seeing and using it as a tool to boost human creativity—rather than something we should fear. There is ample room for AI and creativity to co-exist, and even more opportunity to tap into this technology’s potential.
One of the most talked-about campaigns at Cannes was an ad for French telecom company Orange. Its premise seemed simple: showcasing the elite skills of the French men’s national football team. However, the catch was the footage was actually of the women’s World Cup team and the agency, Marcel, had used AI to create deepfake images that replaced their faces with players from the men’s team. This not only proved to be an innovative use case of AI in a campaign, which also brought awareness to gender bias in sports, but was awarded the Entertainment for Sport Grand Prix Cannes Lion.
Using AI to augment creativity aligns with our approach at Lenovo, which centers around transparency, education, open conversation and strategic experimentation. AI is not new for our company, and we’re already incorporating AI into our devices, solutions, experiences and even our marketing campaigns like Work For Humankind.
Apple iphone 16, iphone 16 pro release date proposed in new report, raygun, the australian breakdancer in the olympics: explained.
However, as AI becomes commonplace, brands and marketers must be transparent and disclose when they’re using AI in their marketing efforts. This will be essential in earning and retaining consumer trust going forward. Overall, it’s great to see marketers across industries focusing on the ethics and implications of AI.
Trust is the foundation of any solid relationship—and the one that marketers have with consumers is no different. But it can be difficult for brands to form that connection in an oversaturated market, particularly as Gen Z will outwardly question a brand’s authenticity and intentions .
Being as authentic as possible is the only way to truly earn trust. This means brands must show that they understand and align with their customers’ values and passion points.
Authenticity is also key to earning trust from the five generations of consumers in the workplace today, and marketers must treat each generation as a separate subset of consumers with different wants, needs and preferences. What resonates with baby boomers will likely not work for Gen Alpha.
As AI triggers a refresh in the computing business, AI PCs are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create the market and a unique storytelling opportunity from a marketing perspective. While we see digital natives like Gen Z being early adopters and eventually Gen Alpha, we’re always focused on speaking to a broad range of customers across consumer and commercial audiences, as well as across generations in our marketing efforts.
Finally, another way to do this is by ensuring your customers are central to your storytelling efforts. Marketers must be able to take the product features and weave them into a meaningful story that different audience segments can understand and relate to. Demonstrating real-life use cases is particularly helpful and goes a long way in communicating the company’s value proposition.
The role of a CMO is changing as fast as a Gen Zer scrolls through TikTok, making it more important than ever for marketers to convey the value of the marketing function.
However, we must first put ourselves in the shoes of board members to fully understand their perspective, challenges and priorities—particularly the CFO. We need to speak their language to be understood. We may measure our success in metrics like brand awareness or hitting benchmarks, but CFOs will always be concerned with the bottom line. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team with the same goals.
One area where CMOs can really stake their claim and prove value is reputation building and management. CMOs are often called upon when there’s a crisis, but if we’ve done our job correctly in creating trust with our various audiences, then it will be much easier to withstand the reputational challenges that a crisis can bring. Crisis management should be an ongoing process and marketers need to be highly aware of how reputation impacts their brand and what builds trust/transparency with not only their customers but the public at large.
From the outside, Cannes may look like a frenzy of activity—panel discussions, awards and, of course, parties. And it certainly is a whirlwind. But now that I have the time to reflect, I realize the lessons learned and insights gathered can help fuel creativity and passion across the industry until it’s time for next year’s festival.
Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
COMMENTS
Homework has been in the headlines again recently and continues to be a topic of controversy, with claims that students and families are suffering under the burden of huge amounts of homework. School board members, educators, and parents may wish to turn to the research for answers to their questions about the benefits and drawbacks of homework.
It has to do with the value of practicing over and over. "Parents don't actually have to help with homework completion in order for kids to do well," says Bempechat, who has studied how the debate about homework is influencing teacher preparation, parent and student beliefs about learning, and school policies.
The guidance seems straightforward enough, so why is homework such a controversial topic? School disruptions, including extended periods of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, have magnified the controversies yet also have provided an opportunity to rethink the purpose and value of homework.
Four ways homework aids students' academic achievement Homework provides an opportunity for parents to interact with and understand the content their students are learning so they can provide another means of academic support for students. Memphis Parent writer Glenda Faye Pryor-Johnson says that, "When your child does homework, you do homework," and notes that this is an opportunity for ...
For high schoolers, Cooper's research suggests that two hours per night is optimal. If teens have more than two hours of homework a night, their academic success flatlines. But less is not better. The average high school student doing homework outperformed 69 percent of the students in a class with no homework.
Yet, local school homework policies have been persistently criticized in popular books such as The Myth of Homework: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing, (Kohn, 2006). While popular, Kohn's work and that of others, does not cite empirical research to legitimate these claims. LeTendre, professor of Education Policy Studies at Penn State College of Education found that Americans rank in ...
New solutions and approaches to homework differ by community, and these local debates are complicated by the fact that even education experts disagree about what's best for kids.
Q+A. Does homework still have value? A Johns Hopkins education expert weighs in. Joyce Epstein, co-director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships, discusses why homework is essential, how to maximize its benefit to learners, and what the 'no-homework' approach gets wrong. The necessity of homework has been a subject of ...
Studies on homework are frequently quite general, and don't consider specific types of homework tasks. So it isn't easy to measure how effective homework can be. But here's what we do know.
Generally, homework should include about 10 minutes per night per grade level. The value of homework is debated, with questions about the right amount and potential for inequity. Families should ...
Homework continues to be a controversial topic. The debate over homework is an old one, with attitudes shifting throughout the debate over the years. Proponents and opponents make cases to support their views on the necessity and importance of homework...
Explore the debate surrounding the effectiveness and necessity of homework in education through Harvard's insightful article.
The value of homework has been the subject of debate over the years. In regards to research, the jury is still out as to whether homework positively impacts a student's academic achievement.
Satchel conducted research into the importance of homework to help settle the homework debate. We explore the benefits of home-learning.
The amount of homework completed by students seems to be more positively associated with student achievement than the amount of homework assigned by teachers.Some research has shown that students who spend more time on homework score higher on measures of achievement and attitude. Studies that have delved more deeply into this topic suggest ...
Homework has long been a source of debate, with parents, educators, and education specialists debating the advantages of at-home study. There are many pros and cons of homework. We've examined a few significant points to provide you with a summary of the benefits and disadvantages of homework.
Do you ever wonder why you have to do homework after school? Find out the history and benefits of homework in this fun and informative article.
But the value of homework extends beyond school. We know that good assignments, completed successfully, can help children develop wholesome habits and attitudes. Homework can help parents learn about their children's education and communicate both with their children and the schools. And it can encourage a lifelong love of learning.
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of homework for college students, from enhancing learning to adding stress. Find the balance for academic success.
Explore this latest article to understand the importance and the shocking benefits of homework for students. Research Backed. Read Now!
Homework can be a divisive topic. In this article, we will discuss why it's important and how it helps with your child's development.
The value of homework is that students can share with you what they know and do not know in a way that does not take up valuable class time. If I do grade the homework assignment, it is after we have spent time in class discussing the topic, and students have participated in activities around that learning goal.
Homework offers us benefits like time management, responsibility, and discipline. Learn more about speech on is there value in homework?
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Add Topic. Tropical Storm Debby blows $1 million in cocaine onto Florida beach. ... Last year, 67 pounds of cocaine was found on a Volusia County beach with a street value of approximately $970,000.
Let's explore some of the notable topics and trends from 2024's Cannes Festival and how these fit into your marketing and media strategy.
The loss includes a $9.1 billion impairment charge tied to the plunging value of its linear networks.