Homework, a task often assigned to students by their teachers as a means of reinforcing classroom learning and promoting academic achievement, has long been a source of frustration and stress for students and their families. While some argue that homework is necessary in order to promote discipline, critical thinking skills, and a strong work ethic, others believe that it is an unnecessary burden that takes away from valuable time that could be spent on other activities such as family, sports, or leisure.
One of the main arguments against homework is that it takes away from time that could be spent on other activities. Many students have extracurricular commitments, such as sports or music practice, that take up a significant portion of their time after school. When combined with homework, these activities can leave students feeling overwhelmed and stressed. In addition, homework can also interfere with family time, as students may feel pressure to complete their assignments before spending time with their loved ones.
Another argument against homework is that it can lead to a decrease in the quality of learning. When students are assigned too much homework, they may not have enough time to complete it to the best of their ability, leading to a lack of understanding and retention of the material. This can lead to a decrease in grades and a lack of motivation to learn.
Some argue that homework is necessary in order to promote discipline, critical thinking skills, and a strong work ethic. Homework can help students develop the skills needed to be successful in their academic and professional careers, such as time management, responsibility, and self-motivation. In addition, homework can encourage students to think critically about the material they have learned in class and apply it to real-world situations.
However, there are alternative ways to promote these skills without relying on homework. For example, teachers can incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving activities into their lesson plans, and students can be given projects or group assignments that require collaboration and teamwork. These types of activities can provide the same benefits as homework, without the added stress and time commitment.
In conclusion, while homework can have some benefits, it is important for teachers and parents to carefully consider the negative effects it can have on students and their overall well-being. Alternative methods of promoting discipline, critical thinking skills, and a strong work ethic should be explored and implemented, as it is important to find a balance between academic success and a healthy work-life balance.
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Yet they found only faint evidence that homework provided academic benefit in elementary school Review of Educational Research, 2006. For each choice they complete, students can fill out a Learning Lotto raffle ticket. Think about meaningful tasks you could assign to your students instead of traditional homework. They also reported greater academic stress and less time to balance family, friends and extracurricular activities. Kids from disadvantaged homes are more likely to work at afterschool jobs, or to be home without supervision in the evenings while their parents work multiple jobs, says Lea Theodore, PhD, a professor of school psychology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. That was down from 49. The winners get to roll a die for a prize.
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With questions being raised over the value of homework, Mark Creasy advises teachers and parents on how to get the most out of homework without letting it get in the way of their lives. Students reported bringing home an average of just over three hours of homework nightly Journal of Experiential Education, 2013. In a recent study of Spanish students, Rubén Fernández-Alonso, PhD, and colleagues found that students who were regularly assigned math and science homework scored higher on standardized tests. I love that the tasks are helping us build a classroom community and allowing students to get to know each other better, talk about good habits, discuss real-world data and observations, and share their creativity! Does homework improve academic achievement? Studies attempting to quantify time spent on homework are all over the map, in part because of wide variations in methodology, Pope says. One Advanced Placement biology teacher she worked with through Challenge Success experimented with cutting his homework assignments by a third, and then by half.
My students loved this task and they really enjoyed how much positive feedback they received from their families for helping! But even time spent on social media can help give busy kids' brains a break, she says. My students turned it into a bit of a competition. Some students were completing it correctly, some were just writing something, and others were not doing anything at all. As homework load increased, so did family stress, the researchers found American Journal of Family Therapy, 2015. I had to ask myself, why do I need them to complete homework? Homework can indeed produce academic benefits, such as increased understanding and retention of the material, says Duke University social psychologist Harris Cooper, PhD, one of the nation's leading homework researchers. But too many kids are feeling a lack of engagement with their take-home assignments, many experts say. Please use the fully editable version to have full access to changing the format and wording.