All around the world, educationists have this one great challenge – “homework.” They try to ask if homework is viable at all levels or in all subjects, including history classes. Should teachers give less homework? That is the major question many are asking. Students have realized that some teachers give bulky and hard homework. They know they don’t grade it fairly.
Homework is necessary. It’s good to check on the amount, worthiness and the type of homework given. Research shows that schools have toyed with enacting policies to strike out homework. Some schools discourage homework, but they don’t outlaw it. The 2014 national education association article suggested curbing and eliminating homework.
Are there reasons why teachers should not assign homework?
You only give homework when it’s seen to be worth giving to students. The Edutopia research shows that though homework is good, it has adverse and dangerous effects on high school learners. It brings stress, sleep deprivation, and physical ailments. Therefore, it makes it necessary to have limits on homework assigned to students.
Debates on common study concepts agree that homework should be a ten-minute affair. Students need to have ten-minute homework as it grows up to 90 minutes in middle school. When students go past 90 minutes, they become unproductive due to burnout. The concept is genuine basing on the Duke study in 2006.
It will be beneficial if you gave students homework to build skill and knowledge mastery. The researchers don’t expose how good homework will look like.
When does homework become busy work? Homework is busy work when it fails to get graded or doesn’t become review materials used in class. If it doesn’t introduce materials to use in class, it turns out to be unworthy. It should relate to the course lessons to enable students exercise their brains.
What is effective homework?
Try and explain to students why you are giving or assigning work. While introducing today’s topic, touch on the one for tomorrow in brief. The two minutes explanation will help the class during homework time.
- Review previous topics
Make a good review of the previous classes. Answer the test questions giving guidance to learners. Think outside the box to try and present the topic in a different way. If you can get a crash video about the lesson subject, let the learners watch it.
Should teachers give homework? Is it worth it?
Any homework should contribute 50% of the student’s final score. Students will feel it’s worth and make a reasonable effort in tackling it. Some schools disagree with this notion. They say that homework should contribute between ten to 15 per cent.
- Build students for independent studies needed in college
High school students need the motivation to study and get good grades to take home. When teachers prepare students from a young age, it makes the homework valuable.
- Is it reasonable?
If you ask students to read a 40-page book, they need ample time to attend to the task. Give students weekly or monthly homework to benefit them. They will end up having time for other activities like clubs, other courses and sports.
- Students are different
The most important thing to remember is that not all students in your class are the same. You may have students with low reading skills, while others are trouble makers. Please don’t give up on them while concentrating on those who are perfect. It’s better to give less frequent but more structured homework.
Conclusion
Whether to give or not give an assignment depends on you as the teacher. Remember, not all students are the same. Some don’t have access to technology to help them. Plan accordingly to ensure you have meaningful homework that will benefit students.
