Homework has been in existence for more than a century now. Experts believe that while some lessons are convenient for the school environment, others may demand a home experience for better understanding. Nevertheless, there have been several debates about homework should be banned, and it seems not to be ending soon. However, the agreed amount of time students should spend on a home task is a maximum of 10 minutes per grade level. Meaning, first graders must spend just 10 minutes, and it increases to 2 hours for high school seniors.
That notwithstanding, some educators flout these rules and overburden their students with huge nightly tasks. This has increased the call for the ban on homework. But is it the way to go?
Will the 1 to 2 hours per day a teacher spend on their subjects be enough for students? How are parents also going to access the strength and weaknesses of their kid should homework be banned?
Let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of a home task and whether or not it should be banned.
Advantages of why homework should be banned
- No empirical evidence that it improves performance
One of the most persuasive arguments of proponents of homework is that the practice can improve the academic performance of students. But there is no evidence of this claim. In fact, the outcome of various researches on the subject has been conflicting. It alludes that students at the upper level do get some benefits in terms of raising academic performance, while lower-grade kids have no measurable benefits.
- It extends the day for students
On average, students spend between 6 to 8 hours in school and mostly return exhausted. Having to spend two more hours on homework means they are doing about 10 hours out of the 24-hour academic work. This is not proper because even parents spend less than that time at work. In effect, kids are denied extra curriculum activities like playing with friends and learning home skills.
- Burnout students
The stress and anxiety created by homework cannot be overemphasized. Most students become overburdened with home assignments and gradually succumb to stress and other related health problems.
Disadvantages of why homework should be banned
- Helps teachers to assess the understanding of kids
Through assigning home tasks, the teacher can assess the understanding of students on a topic taught in the classroom. Even though this can be achieved through classwork or test, home task creates a different ambiance and give the student enough time to solve a particular problem.
- Helps to discover academic shortfalls of students
The learning disabilities in children usually show up when asked to do independent works. This is because they are good at hiding such defects when in class. Through home tasks, educators can identify their shortfalls in specific subjects and help the child out. They can also corporate with parents of these kids as to how to help the kids when home.
- Parents get involved in their child’s education
Parents can contribute and monitor their wards’ academic performance through home tasks. That aside, they get to know what their kids are learning in the classroom. As stated, parents can help identify their kid’s learning disabilities and share this information with teachers. Both can then find the best way to address such anomalies.
Conclusion
Homework has advantages and disadvantages according to how it is presented to the student. However, we should find a balance to harness its benefits. Schools, teachers, and parents can settle on the best practice to benefit all.