The value of homework is so debatable. Some learning institutions are excluding it from the curriculum. They base their argument on research that shows homework is not beneficial. Instead, teachers are replacing homework with other activities such as night reading. Comprehensive homework instills both knowledge and skill to the students.
Comprehensive Learning with Homework
Some people argue that homework is still essential. They maintain that, though homework may not improve grades, it does have its benefits. It can help foster good study patterns and help parents to gauge their child’s progress.
The two arguments have weight. But, the research used by the schools makes no sense. Psychologists recommended a variety of techniques that may help students. A majority of them are perfectly suitable for assignments such as Retrieval Practice. It is the process of trying to remember the information you have already learned. The best time to try and remember is after forgetting the concept for a while. Most likely, after school.
Few tutors are familiar with this study. Perhaps that is why assignments are not boosting education. A majority of teachers do not have the necessary training in allocating homework. Which means most of the homework teachers give are not comprehensive. The research found that homework has a little positive effect on middle school students. Homework measures the level of comprehension and reading skills of a student. But, tutors do not gauge how much a learner has learned in a given period.
Students come from different backgrounds, and not all of them can deliver this, some students come from low-income families. Kids from well of families get quiet study spaces, computers, and the internet at their disposal. Also, well-educated parents help out their kids with their homework. So, students with less-educated parents need a boost in comprehensive homework. They are unlikely to gain academic knowledge at home. Schools can help parents with lower income by giving homework that relies less on technology. They can also provide favorable study spaces for these students.
Another debatable topic is that homework makes students feel and stressed. It happens in schools with wealthy populations. Schools with low-income parents hardly give their students homework, and students don’t finish the little homework they get sometimes. These students, however, are a bit disadvantaged at college because they lack the study skill. Lectures can, however, use other methods to bridge the gap. They can give their students quizzes and have the students answer without referring to their notes.
Tutors should create an efficient homework system to avoid this. Assigning comprehensive homework should start in elementary school. Following the researcher’s rule of 10 minutes of homework for first graders and an extra 10 minutes for the next grade works well. It helps the kid get enough playtime and enjoy their homework at the same time. The biggest problem with homework at elementary school is with the school curriculum. Because of standardized testing, homework narrowed down to math and reading. Tutors give little attention to the content the kid reads; instead, they concentrate on the skills gained. Research shows that knowledge of the topic is more important when it comes to reading comprehension.
Conclusion
Homework should instill knowledge to students and not stress them out. Giving comprehensive homework is better than only trying to concentrate on skills. Including other subjects in the homework-curriculum can go a long way. It can improve student’s grades and comprehension skills.