The Homework Debate

5th April 2024

Homework. Extended learning. Independent learning. Call it what you will, the concept sparks much debate among children, educators and parents. There was a time when I thought that children work so hard at school, they should be allowed to enjoy ‘life’s curriculum’ when they go home. But does this prepare them for life? Does this give them the self-discipline to pursue their goals once they leave school’s cocoon? 20 plus years later, I am still undecided and see validity in both sides of the argument. Here are some of the pros and cons…prepare for the homework debate.

Team Pro-Homework for the homework debate

1. Reinforces Learning: Homework provides students with an opportunity to reinforce what they’ve learned in class. It allows them to practice and apply concepts independently, which can solidify their understanding of the material.
2. Practice and Mastery: Homework provides students with additional opportunities to practice skills and concepts until they achieve mastery. Repetition and reinforcement through homework can lead to deeper understanding and retention of material
3. Preparation for Assessments: Homework assignments can serve as valuable preparation for quizzes, tests, and exams. They allow students to review and consolidate their learning, identify areas of weakness, and seek clarification on any challenging concepts before assessments.
4. Prepares for Real Life: In the real world, tasks often require independent effort and time management skills. Homework helps students develop these crucial skills early on, preparing them for future challenges.
5. Parental Involvement: Homework can foster parental involvement in a child’s education. Parents can provide support and guidance, fostering a positive learning environment at home.
6. Time Management: Completing homework assignments teaches students valuable time management skills. They learn to prioritise tasks and allocate time effectively, which is essential for success in academics and beyond.
7. Promotion of Independence: Completing homework assignments encourages students to work independently and develop problem-solving skills. It fosters self-reliance and resilience as students learn to tackle challenges on their own.

Team Anti-Homework for the homework debate

1. Overburdens Students: Homework can sometimes become overwhelming, especially when students have multiple assignments from different classes. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout, which is counterproductive to the learning process.
2. Reduces Family Time: Excessive homework can eat into valuable family time, depriving students of opportunities to relax, socialise, and pursue other interests outside of school.
3. Limited Time for Extracurricular Activities: Heavy homework loads can leave students with little time for extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests outside of school. This can deprive them of opportunities for personal growth, social interaction, and exploration of diverse interests.
4. Inequity: Not all students have equal access to resources at home, such as internet access, textbooks, or parental support. Homework assignments can exacerbate existing inequalities, widening the achievement gap between privileged and disadvantaged students.
5. Limited Effectiveness: Some research suggests that the benefits of homework are limited, particularly for younger students. Instead of promoting deeper understanding, homework may simply encourage rote memorisation or completion for the sake of it, without fostering true comprehension.
6. Loss of Interest in Learning: Excessive homework can lead to a loss of interest in learning and diminish students’ intrinsic motivation. When homework becomes tedious or overwhelming, students may view learning as a chore rather than a rewarding experience.

Our tutors are often asked to help students with their homework which helps to mitigate a number of the anti-homework arguments but what do you think? Where do you stand in the homework debate?