Is homework effective in the first place?

This was the question posed by researchers at Rutgers University in a study published last year.
Researchers measured student performance on homework and in exams over the course of eleven
years – and the results showed an interesting trend.

The study found that as smartphones became more ubiquitous, homework became less effective.

While some students used smartphones to help them complete homework – and got good grades
on their assignments as a result – there was a big dip in performance when it came to exams. On
the contrary, students who didn’t use the internet to help them with their homework performed better
on exams.

This has to do with the way we learn. When studying, it’s important for the brain to generate an
answer – even if that answer is incorrect. The process of being corrected helps us to retain
information. It contributes to a deep learning process that helps us store new content in our long
term memory.

But if you look up the answer online and then simply write it down, chances are you won’t actually
remember the answer – and won’t be able to reproduce it under exam conditions. This is called
shallow processing.

So what does this mean for homework? Well, there’s the danger that homework could become
useless if students use their smartphones to help them complete it. It’s not just about what students
are learning, but rather, how they are learning.

How homework can help with lost learning

However if homework is carefully designed, it can be very effective in supporting what students are
learning in class. Now, that’s more important than ever. Since education was heavily impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, teachers have found that there are large gaps in their students’
knowledge, as well as differing levels within classes. There is a lot of pressure for students to catch
up. And, assigning additional work to be completed at home could be one way of filling in these
gaps.

A meta-analysis of fifteen years of research on homework found that, overall, there was a positive
correlation between homework and achievement. This was especially pronounced in secondary-age
students. Other studies show that, compared to classes where homework isn’t given out, there’s a
typical learning gain of 5-6 months for secondary students.
What’s more, the practice of doing homework helps to build effective study skills. It teaches
students about time management, encourages responsibility, and instils the ability to learn
independently.

The pushback on homework

Despite the positive effect that homework can have in some students, opponents argue that children
and young people need time to relax and decompress after working hard all day at school.

And, there are some studies that show homework doesn’t have much benefit depending on the age
and stage of learners. Homework researcher Professor John Hattie found that homework in primary
schools makes no difference to learner achievement. Other activities at home can have just as much
educational benefit, such as reading, or baking, or simply playing.

What’s more, too much homework can also have a negative effect on students’ mental health. A
survey of over 4,000 students from 10 high-performing schools found that large amounts of
homework contributed to academic stress, sleep deprivation and a lack of balance with socialising
or practising hobbies.

As a result, many families have pushed back. A few years ago a homework strike in Spain made
headlines around the world. Parents and children exercised their “constitutional right that families
have to make what they consider to be the best decisions for family life.” The organisers of the
boycott declared that children’s free time had disappeared. They considered that the pressures of
homework were to blame.

Homework: ripe for reform?

Homework reform is certainly overdue. For homework to have real value, it needs to be clearly
related to what students are learning in class. Students shouldn’t be able to look up the answers on
their smartphones. And it’s important to get the balance right. The US rule of thumb is 10 minutes
per grade. And for secondary age students, 90 minutes of homework a day is the ideal amount for
improving academic performance.

Schools and parents must ensure that homework doesn’t interfere with a healthy balance of
exercise, family time and downtime – especially after a difficult year of online learning and limited
social interaction. Stressed out, anxious students just won’t learn as effectively, and overloading
them with homework will do more harm than good.
Homework is a polarising topic. It can cause students to feel stressed or anxious. It
adds extra pressure on teachers, who are often already struggling with their workloads.
And, some parents resent the way homework can cut into family time at home. 

Why Homework Should Be Banned

We can’t say that homework is not important, homework also has its importance , but
that does not mean that it is too much necessary.
It creates many types of problems for students and their parents, that is why people
demands to ban homework.

 Homework Restricts A Student’s Freedom

 No Time For Exercises
 No Time To Play Outdoor Games
 Often Breaks Students’ Confidence
 Homework Doing Not An Achievement
 Most Homework Creates Bad Habits
 Less Time To Spend With Family Members
 Conflict With Parents
 Downtime At Home
 Negative Impact On Tests
 Writing Has Different Effects
 Extra Challenges
 Homework Causes Depression
 Homework Provides No Real Benefit
  Too Much Homework Means Not Enough Time For Yourself
 School Is a Full-Time Job
 No real impact on performance
 Irrelevant content

List Of The Pros Of Banning Homework

Homework Does Not Improve Student Academic

Performance.
The reality of homework for modern students is that we don’t know if assigning an
extra task outside of class is helpful. Each study contains several flaws, resulting in
unreliable data & Students also search for someone to do their homework online.
Some research suggests that students in secondary schools or higher can benefit from
little homework; banning it for younger students may make sense for their learning
experience.

Banning Homework Can Reduce Burnout Among

Students.
Today, teachers are paying more attention to homework stress in the classroom. Over
25% of grade school professors say that they have seen students stressed out by
homework. When students are dealing with the impact of homework, it can have a
tremendous negative impact.
It Can Help You Spend More Time With Your
Family.
 Homework creates a noticeable disruption to family connections. It not only cuts
down on time spent with family, but it also reduces the opportunities for parents to
teach their values and talents to their children. Over half of North American parents
say they’ve had a significant disagreement with their children about schoolwork in the
last month. Homework is identified as the leading source of trouble in one-third of the
families.

It Can Reduce The Negative Impact Of Homework

On The Student’s Health.
When students fail to complete a homework assignment on time, they suffer mental
distress. When the outcome occurs, assumptions are frequently made about the
student’s time management skills, but the reasons are usually more complex. It may be
too challenging, tedious, or uninteresting, or there may be an insufficient time in the
day to finish the task. When students fail in this area, it can lead to serious mental
health problems. It can discourage a desire to learn in students. Some people believe
they are intellectual failures who will never live a good life.

List Of The Cons Of Banning

Homework
Homework Can Assist Parents And Educators In
Determining a Child’s Learning Skills.
Many children develop a self-defense strategy that helps them fit in with the other
students in their class. This procedure allows them to hide learning problems that may
be hindering their academic achievement. Because children cannot hide their learning
problems while working one-on-one with their parents on specific subjects, homework
allows teachers and parents to uncover this problem. By banning homework, you’re
removing half of the opportunity to spot possible issues right away.
It Teaches Students How To Manage Their Time
Effectively.
As people get older, they recognize that time is a limited resource. To increase
productivity, it is critical to managing time wisely. Homework is an excellent technique
to encourage the development of abilities in children as early as school. The trick is to
keep the time allocated for work to a minimum. Students should spend 10 minutes on
schoolwork and plan their schedules accordingly. If a student is having trouble
creating a program, the family should provide them with the opportunity to do so.

Homework Allows Parents To Participate In Their

Children’s Education.
Parents must be aware of what their children are learning in school. Even when a
parent inquires about their children’s learning, the response is more generic than
precise. Parents will see and experience their children’s growth in what they are doing
while they are at school throughout the day if work is sent home from the classroom.
Parents can readily participate in the learning process to reinforce their children’s
essential concepts every day.

Is Homework a Headache Or Not?

What are your thoughts? It is essential to consult with students and their parents.
Parents work hard to keep track of their children’s progress in every field. When it
comes to family tours and celebrations, homework becomes a source of frustration.
The majority of homework takes up a child’s spare time. To live, it’s not enough to
breathe. More is required for a student to have a happy childhood and grow
peacefully. It would help if you understood why homework should be banned.

Another point to consider is that homework is not an after-school activity. Parents

provide tutors for their children who are having difficulty with their homework. This
keeps a student occupied during their free time. Many parents choose to send their
children to boarding schools. You should be aware of your child’s activities and
achievements. It is a source of worry about whether homework is harmful or beneficial
to students. It is something that parents and teachers should seriously consider.

Who invented homework?

We have no clear idea who invented homework although many people do homework
most days of the week.

Many names are included with the invention of homework. 

In reality, anyone who has attempted to learn something has most probably practiced
it in their own place and time, so homework is simply a part of the learning process.  

Homework was first mentioned in ancient Rome, in the writings of Piny the Younger, in
1AD.

Pliny, an oratory teacher, is said to have asked his students to practice public speaking
at home to boost their confidence.

At the end of the 19th century, homework became universal as school/colleges

became compulsory worldwide.

Why Was Homework Invented?

Over the years, supporters of homework have given a variety of reasons for its
creation.

These are some of them:

 Students can consolidate their learning by practising what they’ve learned in school;
 Teachers and students can uncover learning gaps when students hand in assignments that
they’ve completed independently;
 It provides students extra time to study something; 
 It helps students manage their time.

On the other hand, homework has not always been popular, and in the early 1900s, it
was even banned in the state of California for 15 years.

Know the reasons why homework should not be banned?

Students have done assignments at all levels of education since the ancient
period. The length and complexity of the homework are the key differences.
According to most children, parents, and teachers, homework is valuable and
should be continued. However, a small number of students still believe that
homework is a burden and should be banned.

Whether homework should be allowed or prohibited is a controversial issue. The

benefits of homework clearly outweigh the disadvantages. The following are the
reasons why homework should not be banned-

Homework improves presentation skills

Homework is designed to help students improve their academic performance.

This occurs when they are given the opportunity to prepare and present on
various topics. They must gather material, prepare notes, and organise it into
predetermined formats. 

These presentations can be given in small groups or in front of the entire class.

Students are given marks for each of them, which encourages them to work hard
and improve their confidence. It is the first reason why homework should not be
banned.

Student-Teacher Interaction is Boosted by Homework

The contact between students and teachers is critical to a student’s development.

You build self-assurance and regard your teacher as a role model. If you ban
homework, you will not be able to establish a connection with your teacher, and
you can’t discuss the homework problems with your teachers. 

Having homework will help you recall the concepts, and you will be able to chat
about something in common with your classmates. It is the second reason why
homework should not be banned. 

It sows a sense of responsibility in students.

You will become a more responsible student if you have homework since you will
be required to do the assigned work at home. If a student does not assign any
homework, he will lack a sense of responsibility and will be more inclined to be
careless with his other work. In any situation, a responsible student will always
shine. Homework can be quite beneficial to a student. It will allow you to plan
ahead of time and flourish in your work life. It is one of the main reasons why
homework should not be banned in schools and universities.

Parents are updated with the child’s education.

In the early phases of homework completion, most students ask for parental help.
Homework should not be banned because it helps parents understand the class’s
study curriculum. As a result, parents may always double-check the classroom
session and address any issues if they want to concern the teachers. 

Grades and scores on tests are improved.

Doing homework provides you with a lot of extra practice, which benefits your
learning. If you practice a lot at home, you can enhance your test scores and
grades. You know that homework is compulsory, you will have to do that, and as
a result, it will improve your grades.

Enhances your writing abilities

One of the many facts about homework is that it requires a lot of writing. It could
help you enhance your writing and research skills, which will help you in your
career. After a while, you’ll develop the habit of doing the extra labour and evolve
into a person who strives to reach their objectives. It is the sixth reason why
homework should not be banned. 

It is the most useful method for getting students to learn.

When people ask me if homework should be prohibited, I always advise them to

assess its benefits and drawbacks. You can only develop an interest in a subject if
you devote enough time to it. Because homework requires a great deal of
practice and you may be able to choose your professional field early. For a
student, this can be really advantageous.
Homework is a way to work on your weakness.

A student who did not understand something during the class session can be
analysed again at home. Homework allows students to progress, learn new skills,
and differentiate themselves from other students.

Case study!

How much time is contributed by students on homework? 

“Helping Your Child Get the Most Out of Homework” is a parent guide published by the National PTA and the
National Education Association. 

“Most educators think that homework should not exceed 10-20 minutes per day for children in grades K-2.
Grades 3-6 students can handle 30-60 minutes per day; in junior and senior wings, the portion of homework
will vary as per the subject,” it says. 

Wrapping up! Why Homework Should Not Be Banned

From the above discussion, now you understand why homework should not be
banned. It is pointless to dispute that homework is quite beneficial to children. Of
course, there may be some limitations in terms of student age and the quantity
of homework assigned, but in any event, a modern school without homework is
unthinkable. 

It’s no surprise that homework is still one of the most effective ways to learn new
things and improve on what you already know.