Is homework assignments necessary for effective learning?

Author: Nisha Desai

For Creatives - Importance of Homework in Learning Process to Student Success

Students were the only ones previously who objected to the practice of assigning homework. For many years, teachers and parents believed that homework was an essential component of a child’s learning pedagogy. Tutoring services that support homework argue that it raises student achievement and helps students to master academic and life skills independently. They also claim that homework allows parents to keep track of their children's progress and observe how they are doing academically. However, the homework opponents argue that too much homework is bad for students since it can cause stress, restrict leisure and sleep time, and lead to cheating. They further claim that it magnifies social inequity and has not been demonstrated to benefit the youth.

Let’s have a look at some pros and cons of homework

Pros:

  • Homework aids in the reinforcement of learning as well as the development of excellent study habits and life skills

Practice makes a man perfect, as we all know. Students often recall only half of the information teachers present in an online teaching class, and they must apply that information to properly understand it. Homework assists children in the development of important life skills such as responsibility, independence, control, timekeeping, consciousness, rational thinking, and individual problem-solving skills. Improved results and positive feedback on report cards were found in a study of elementary school children who were taught to organize class assignments such as prioritizing homework activities, gathering study materials, taking notes, and following instructions while learning online.

  • Homework helps students achieve their goals

Homework, in an online learning environment, has been shown that studies have boosted student accomplishment in terms of grades, exam outcomes, and the possibility of attending lectures.

  • Homework allows parents to participate in their children's education

Parents may keep track of what their children are learning in online teaching as well as their academic strengths and weaknesses thanks to take-home projects. Homework can also alert parents to the presence of any learning problems their children may be suffering from, allowing them to seek assistance and change learning tactics as needed in their coaching.

Cons:

  • An excessive amount of homework can be dangerous

Too much homework, according to high-achieving high school students, who want to focus on the learning pedagogy, causes sleep deprivation and other health issues such as headaches, tiredness, weight loss, and stomach issues.

  • Low-income students are disadvantaged by homework

Homework increases social inequality because it arguably serves as a framework to further benefit those students who already encounter some luxury in the education system while further marginalizing those who may already be in an underprivileged position.

  • There is no evidence that homework is beneficial to younger students

In primary school, homework had no association with achievement gains as evaluated by standardized test results or grades, according to an article published in the Review of Educational Research.