Homework is an unavoidable fact of life for everyone. Our parents had to do it, we had to do it, our children will do it, and so on and so forth. However, many people are starting to think that it may cause more trouble than it is really worth. The overburdening of the work load on students has been showing some very negative effects in their academic, as well as their home life. While the purpose of homework is to improve student’s understanding, does it really do that, and if so at what cost? Let’s examine both sides of the homework coin so that you can determine where you stand on this controversial subject.
The Pros of Homework
1. Provides Additional Practice And Mastery
By requiring students to complete additional course work by themselves at home, you are forcing them to test their own understanding of a subject. This helps them to practice and develop a mastery of a given topic.
2. More Time In The Classroom
There is already limited time in the classroom to cover all of the topics that need to be covered. Working on large projects and independent studies can take a large chunk of this time up. With homework, many of this course work can be completed at home and free up a lot of time during the school day.
3. Promotes Parent Involvement
Often times, the parents of students have little involvement in what is happening inside the classroom. Homework offers them some insight into the topics and lessons that are being covered, and let’s them actively participate to ensure their child’s understanding.
4. Teaches Discipline
Keeping up with homework and making sure to set aside the time to do it helps to teach young students essential discipline skills that they need to succeed in the rest of their life. Time management and organization are also all enforced through homework.
The Cons of Homework
1. Interferes With Family Time
Kids spend a large majority of their week in the classroom. The time they get to spend with their family is very short because of the long days in school. Homework only further cuts into this important bonding time for families.
2. An Added Stress To Students
Student’s minds and abilities are tested all day in school, which can be very draining. When they come home, they need to be able to relax and pursue other interests. Homework not only doesn’t allow them to do that, but causes the stress of the school day to continue into the evening. This could affect attitude, sleep, and many other things.
3. Can Encourage Cheating
If a child doesn’t complete their homework, they feel a large amount of pressure to have it done. This encourages cheating and copying of other student’s work. This is easily done because the work is completed off of school grounds. This also goes for the use of textbooks, the internet, and other resources to complete assignments.
4. Not Enough Time To Pursue Passions
School is undoubtedly very important to the development of young minds, but they also have their own interests and passions that shouldn’t be ignored. Afterschool is often the only time that these students can engage in activities like sports, musical interests, dance, and other things. Homework hinders the time that they have available to do this.