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The Pros and Cons of Homework

This information was compiled from three different web articles (links provided). This information has informed the homework policy for FRCS Elementary, which can be found in the Family Handbook .

Homework should be balanced

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Here’s what the research says:

In general, homework has substantial benefits at the high school level, with decreased benefits for middle school students and few benefits for elementary students (Cooper, 1989; Cooper et al., 2006).
While assigning homework may have academic benefits, it can also cut into important personal and family time (Cooper et al., 2006).
Assigning too much homework can result in poor performance (Fernández-Alonso et al., 2015).
A student’s ability to complete homework may depend on factors that are outside their control (Cooper et al., 2006; OECD, 2014; Eren & Henderson, 2011).
The goal shouldn’t be to eliminate homework, but to make it authentic, meaningful, and engaging (Darling-Hammond & Ifill-Lynch, 2006).

Why Homework Should Be Balanced

Homework can boost learning, but doing too much can be detrimental. The National PTA and National Education Association support the “10-minute homework rule,” which recommends 10 minutes of homework per grade level, per night (10 minutes for first grade, 20 minutes for second grade, and so on, up to two hours for 12th grade) (Cooper, 2010). A recent study found that when middle school students were assigned more than 90–100 minutes of homework per day, their math and science scores began to decline (Fernández-Alonso, Suárez-Álvarez, & Muñiz, 2015). Giving students too much homework can lead to fatigue, stress, and a loss of interest in academics—something that we all want to avoid.

The pros and cons of homework

read the original article (note: link was broken last we checked, but it’s provided just in case the site owner has it working again)

Important Pros of Homework

1. teachers and students working together.

If a student is having trouble completing their homework assignments, they are able to consult with their teacher about the specific aspects that are confusing to them, which leads to a more cooperative learning experience. Without homework, children would be left to their own devices for figuring out their schoolwork, which would cause children who learn unconventionally to be left behind.

Expecting a child to take home a textbook and learn its contents on their own, without the use of homework assignments, is considered a problematic strategy. By assigning homework, a teacher allows the student to work at their own pace and ask questions before and after classes as needed.

2. Brings Families Closer Together

In a world where more and more parents are working and spending less time bonding with their children, homework is a great way to bring the family together. Older siblings can also get involved by helping their younger brothers and sisters with their homework assignments. This can lead to far greater peace and harmony in families where there is a significant age gap between siblings.

This gives students the chance to develop a much more firm understanding of their learning materials, while also giving parents and older siblings that may not typically have much involvement in their loved one’s day to day educational living the opportunity to become a larger part of their child and/or sibling’s life.

3. Teaches The Child How To Be Responsible

When a child is forced to complete regular homework assignments, it gives them a far greater sense of responsibility and accomplishment. There are precious few other areas in a young child’s life where these lessons are able to imparted. Being assigned work to take home and complete also provides a preview of what adult life will be like, as the child is unable to make excuses to get out doing things that they do not wish to do.

Their sense of punctuality is also sharpened by having to adhere to deadlines. Knowing that their grades and potential future depend on their ability to turn work in on time does wonder for their personal accountability. They are able to learn at a young age that there are no shortcuts in life and the only way to get ahead is to put their nose to the grindstone and get work done.

Important Cons of Homework

1. the child needs relaxation time.

It is believed by many that a young mind requires a certain amount of rest and relaxation after a long day at school. Those who advocate against homework assignments cite the amount of pressure that it puts on children to complete a different assignment each night. They believe that a child needs to be able to come home and relax their body and mind.

Expecting a child to come home after a seven hour day of school and continue to work for an additional hour or two can be hazardous to their long term development, as they are burned out on learning and fail to develop a passion for acquiring new knowledge. A young mind needs to be nurtured, not pushed.

2. Decrease In Socialization

When a child is developing, it is just as important for them to have the time they need to socialize and work on those necessary skills. If the child is forced to go straight home after school to finish yet another mountain of homework, these skills do not receive the development that they need.

A lack of time spent around friends or hanging out with family can lead to larger issues down the road. Family time and time spent with friends are both crucial aspects of a child’s development. Unless the child is able to stretch their wings and fly, there is a risk that they will not become as well rounded as they could be.

3. Increase In Conflicts Between Parent And Child

Assigning homework forces a person to take on added disciplinary responsibilities. Should the child come home and decide that they would rather watch television or play with friends than do their homework, it is up to the parent to lay down the law and make sure that the homework is completed before the child can have fun. In many instances, the parent does not even agree with the rules they are making.

In turn, a child who is being forced to do their homework may simply decide to cheat and copy another student’s work to avoid having to argue with their parents, which shortchanges their educational development as well as their personal development. When the cheating is inevitably discovered, this leads to even more conflict between all parties involved. Or they get away with the cheating, which only serves to enforce bad study habits at a young age.

More pros and cons of homework

read the original article

The Cons of Homework

Interestingly enough, different studies have shown that homework does not necessarily increase a student’s knowledge base, and is not an effective learning and teaching tool. Let’s look at why that might be.

Homework gets in the way of family time. If a student cannot attend a family event or spend time with family because he or she must complete a homework project, he or she is being prevented from forming meaningful connections, engaging in stress-relieving activities, and possibly even exploring new experiences.
A lot of the time homework is simply busy work. How much will you really learn from a standardized worksheet? If homework does not provide opportunities for meaningful learning experiences, it’s unlikely that most students will get a lot out of it.
All students have different learning needs, but homework is usually the same for every student, meaning that it doesn’t address the needs of every student. This might mean that some students who do not learn a lot from sitting down and doing a worksheet might find themselves in academic trouble simply because their homework is not appropriately designed for them.

The Pros of Homework

Numerous studies have shown that homework that is assigned, marked, and handed back (such as a worksheet on long division) is effective in increasing knowledge of a subject matter. Homework has other positives too!

Some students like doing their work at home better than completing work in class because at home it may be easier to create ideal working conditions based on a student’s particular learning needs (for example, some students might want to listen to music while doing work, while others might need total silence in order to focus).
There isn’t always time to complete all work during the school day. Homework can be an opportunity for a student to delve deeper into a subject than they would be able to during classroom hours.
Homework can help a student learn responsibility; it is up to you to schedule a time to do your homework and complete it within the parameters given by your teacher. Learning how to do this could help you with time management later in life.
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Pros and Cons of Homework

“Not until you finish your homework.”

“I want you to finish your dinner and get right to work on your homework.”

“Is your homework done? Then, no, you get up those stairs and finish first.”

We’ve all heard something similar from our mom, dad, or caretaker. Homework is a big staple of the American school scene, just like lockers, the school bell, and big yellow buses. Portrayed in media from the Brady Bunch to Cocomelon, homework has been an academic given for decades.

Despite its popularity, this after-school activity has been under scrutiny for over a century. Britannica explains , “In the early 1900s, progressive education theorists, championed by the magazine Ladies’ Home Journal , decried homework’s negative impact on children’s physical and mental health, leading California to ban homework for students under 15 from 1901 until 1917. In the 1930s, homework was portrayed as child labor, which was newly illegal, but the prevailing argument was that kids needed time to do household chores.”

Regardless of opposition, homework persevered, and millions of American students still spend long hours completing bookwork in their bedrooms after school.

What are the modern objections to homework? What if the opposition is right? Is there merit to the concerns, or is homework a helpful tool for a well-rounded and comprehensive education? If you’d like to find out, now’s the time to keep reading!

How Much Time?

When analysts crunch the numbers, children spend far more time doing homework than many believe necessary. According to One Class, elementary school students spend an average of 42 minutes a day on homework. Some parents and educators argue that five additional hours of schoolwork per week is too much for elementary students.

High schoolers spend even more time on after-school assignments. Pew Research published a 2019 article in which they explained , “Overall, teens (ages 15 to 17) spend an hour a day, on average, doing homework during the school year, up from 44 minutes a day about a decade ago and 30 minutes in the mid-1990s.”

Globally, the U.S. ranks 15th for the average amount of time spent on homework by high school students. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development conducted a worldwide study on 15-year-old students to evaluate the homework load for high schoolers worldwide.

Among the countries included in the study, China ranked first, with students spending an average of 13.8 hours a week on homework. The Netherlands ranked the lowest, with their students studying after school for an average of 5.8 hours a week. American students spent an average of 6.1 hours per week completing their homework.

What Students Think

Homework has become a point of significant stress for American students.

One Stanford study found that 56% of students who participated in the survey stated that homework was a primary source of stress. Another study found that the decline in adequate teenage sleep may be partly due to homework. In yet another study, 82% of students interviewed admitted that they were “often or always stressed by schoolwork.”

It’s not just the students who object to frequent homework. Parents have begun to voice their displeasure as well. One mother in Canada went viral on social media when she announced that she and her husband were done watching their ten-year-old daughter stress over her homework every night. They decided that homework wasn’t a useful educational tool for their child.

Another mother in Kansas expressed how frustrating it is when her daughter has homework that she as a mother is unsure how to help with. “I feel bad for emailing a teacher in the evenings. I’m slightly annoyed at homework in general because I don’t know what the teacher taught.”

What Teachers Think

Educators debate whether or not homework is a positive educational tool. One Duke University professor recommends homework, believing there is a correlation between homework and academic success for older students. He recommends implementing the “10 Minute Rule.” Essentially, students receive 10 minutes of homework per day for each grade. (For instance, 1st graders would receive 10 minutes of homework, 5th graders 50 minutes, 12th graders 120 minutes.)

A Texas teacher informed the parents of her 2nd-grade students that she would not be assigning homework anymore. Instead, she asked that the children participate in real-life activities that encourage growth and success. These activities included outdoor play, family meals, and reading with parents. As her plan evolved, she acknowledged that some students actually enjoyed homework and missed the challenge. Other students received extra work here and there on an as-needed basis.

Defining the Need

One question that desperately needs to be asked is, “What’s the purpose of homework?”

The answer to this question can provide parameters, determine whether or not homework achieves the goal(s), and establish if it should continue to be a staple in the American education system.

Psychology Today wonders the same thing , without any clear-cut resolution. “I started the blog with a question ‘What’s the purpose of homework?’ I’ll end with the same question. If a teacher who is assigning the homework can’t provide a clear rationale behind this question, then maybe the homework shouldn’t be assigned.”

However, Honest Pros and Cons makes a case for homework in more detail. Their reasoning for homework includes :

Practicing what they learn in the classroom
Improving study habits
Developing self-discipline
Enhancing independent problem-solving skills

McRel International notes that many factors play into whether or not homework is an effective strategy for students. They acknowledge that after-school assignments have pros and cons and state that the research is by no means definitive.

Proponents of homework present several positives:

It improves student achievement – “Students in classes that were assigned homework outperformed 69% of students who didn’t have homework on both standardized tests and grades.” – Britannica ProCon

While the data is not conclusive, numerous studies have shown a correlation between academic success and the use of homework.

It involves parents – “Homework is also the place where schools and families most frequently intersect.” – US News

Homework encourages parents and children to spend time together problem-solving and working toward a goal. It also gives parents a window into what their child is learning and the progress they are making.

It encourages time management – “Homework is an effective tool when teaching your child about time management. This means that time management should extend beyond the classroom and into your home. ” – Edugage

American students spend roughly six hours a day at school. This schedule doesn’t leave much flexibility for sports, a social life, and a healthy amount of free time on top of homework. Kids have to learn time management if they want a life outside of their education.

It tracks progress – “Homework allows teachers to track students’ progress, meaning that homework helps to find out the academic strengths and weaknesses of children.” – Honest Pros and Cons

Homework gives teachers a chance to see what the student can achieve independently. Students must put into practice what they learned in the schoolroom in a different environment and without their teacher present.

It develops working memory – “Revising the key skills learned in the classroom during homework increases the likelihood of a student remembering and being able to use those skills in a variety of situations in the future, contributing to their overall education.” – The Guardian

Environment can play an active part in memory. Biologically, our brains more easily recall memories and facts when we’re immersed in the same surroundings in which we created that memory or learned those facts. Homework removes the environmental factor, forcing students to strengthen their working memory.

Concerned about the effects of homework on students, opponents note these objections:

The science isn’t settled – “There is no conclusive evidence that homework increases student achievement across the board.” – Reading Rockets

As we’ve noted before, the data isn’t conclusive despite the numerous studies conducted. To many, the negatives suggested by various studies outweigh the proposed positives.

It adds stress – “Researchers have found that students who spend too much time on homework experience more levels of stress and physical health problems.” – Psychology Today

Studies have concluded that too much homework creates undue stress on developing minds and bodies. This translates into mental, emotional, and physical issues for many students. This stress also affects their sleep , both the amount of sleep and the quality of that sleep.

It impacts other interests/pursuits – “Homework prevents self-discovery and having the time to learn new skills outside of the school system.” – University of the People

Critics of homework fear that, in addition to time spent on school grounds, after-school assignments stunt students’ abilities to experience life outside academia. Students who struggle with completing work at home are even more susceptible to a lifestyle void of other interests.

It expands the gap – “One study concluded that homework increases social inequality because it ‘potentially serves as a mechanism to further advantage those students who already experience some privilege in the school system while further disadvantaging those who may already be in a marginalized position.’” – Britannica ProCon

Homework often involves a computer and/or an internet connection. During the Covid-19 pandemic, 30% of students didn’t have the necessary technology at home to effectively participate in distance learning, raising questions about inequality affecting homework that relies on at-home technology.

It creates family tension – “Assigning homework forces a person to take on added disciplinary responsibilities.” – Front Range Christian School

While homework can bring children and parents together, it can also drive a wedge between them. Students who feel overwhelmed or who need a break from focusing on academics often buck their homework requirements, leaving parents to enforce education standards that the teachers created. Parents and students alike can end up frustrated, with little progress made.

A World of Unknowns

While the homework debate rages on, researchers continue to work toward a conclusive answer. In the meantime, teachers, parents, schools, and communities can work together to find a solution that meets the needs of their students.

Without a doubt, homework has positive aspects that encourage students to advance through personal and academic growth. The trick is to nurture this positivity without stunting progress with adverse side effects.

It’s a double-edged sword that’s well worth considering to ensure the best for our kids.

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Is homework a necessary evil?

After decades of debate, researchers are still sorting out the truth about homework’s pros and cons. One point they can agree on: Quality assignments matter.

By Kirsten Weir

March 2016, Vol 47, No. 3

Print version: page 36

After decades of debate, researchers are still sorting out the truth about homework’s pros and cons. One point they can agree on: Quality assignments matter.

Schools and Classrooms

Homework battles have raged for decades. For as long as kids have been whining about doing their homework, parents and education reformers have complained that homework's benefits are dubious. Meanwhile many teachers argue that take-home lessons are key to helping students learn. Now, as schools are shifting to the new (and hotly debated) Common Core curriculum standards, educators, administrators and researchers are turning a fresh eye toward the question of homework's value.

But when it comes to deciphering the research literature on the subject, homework is anything but an open book.

The 10-minute rule

In many ways, homework seems like common sense. Spend more time practicing multiplication or studying Spanish vocabulary and you should get better at math or Spanish. But it may not be that simple.

Homework can indeed produce academic benefits, such as increased understanding and retention of the material, says Duke University social psychologist Harris Cooper, PhD, one of the nation's leading homework researchers. But not all students benefit. In a review of studies published from 1987 to 2003, Cooper and his colleagues found that homework was linked to better test scores in high school and, to a lesser degree, in middle school. Yet they found only faint evidence that homework provided academic benefit in elementary school ( Review of Educational Research , 2006).

Then again, test scores aren't everything. Homework proponents also cite the nonacademic advantages it might confer, such as the development of personal responsibility, good study habits and time-management skills. But as to hard evidence of those benefits, "the jury is still out," says Mollie Galloway, PhD, associate professor of educational leadership at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. "I think there's a focus on assigning homework because [teachers] think it has these positive outcomes for study skills and habits. But we don't know for sure that's the case."

Even when homework is helpful, there can be too much of a good thing. "There is a limit to how much kids can benefit from home study," Cooper says. He agrees with an oft-cited rule of thumb that students should do no more than 10 minutes a night per grade level — from about 10 minutes in first grade up to a maximum of about two hours in high school. Both the National Education Association and National Parent Teacher Association support that limit.

Beyond that point, kids don't absorb much useful information, Cooper says. In fact, too much homework can do more harm than good. Researchers have cited drawbacks, including boredom and burnout toward academic material, less time for family and extracurricular activities, lack of sleep and increased stress.

In a recent study of Spanish students, Rubén Fernández-Alonso, PhD, and colleagues found that students who were regularly assigned math and science homework scored higher on standardized tests. But when kids reported having more than 90 to 100 minutes of homework per day, scores declined ( Journal of Educational Psychology , 2015).

"At all grade levels, doing other things after school can have positive effects," Cooper says. "To the extent that homework denies access to other leisure and community activities, it's not serving the child's best interest."

Children of all ages need down time in order to thrive, says Denise Pope, PhD, a professor of education at Stanford University and a co-founder of Challenge Success, a program that partners with secondary schools to implement policies that improve students' academic engagement and well-being.

"Little kids and big kids need unstructured time for play each day," she says. Certainly, time for physical activity is important for kids' health and well-being. But even time spent on social media can help give busy kids' brains a break, she says.

All over the map

But are teachers sticking to the 10-minute rule? Studies attempting to quantify time spent on homework are all over the map, in part because of wide variations in methodology, Pope says.

A 2014 report by the Brookings Institution examined the question of homework, comparing data from a variety of sources. That report cited findings from a 2012 survey of first-year college students in which 38.4 percent reported spending six hours or more per week on homework during their last year of high school. That was down from 49.5 percent in 1986 ( The Brown Center Report on American Education , 2014).

The Brookings report also explored survey data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which asked 9-, 13- and 17-year-old students how much homework they'd done the previous night. They found that between 1984 and 2012, there was a slight increase in homework for 9-year-olds, but homework amounts for 13- and 17-year-olds stayed roughly the same, or even decreased slightly.

Yet other evidence suggests that some kids might be taking home much more work than they can handle. Robert Pressman, PhD, and colleagues recently investigated the 10-minute rule among more than 1,100 students, and found that elementary-school kids were receiving up to three times as much homework as recommended. As homework load increased, so did family stress, the researchers found ( American Journal of Family Therapy , 2015).

Many high school students also seem to be exceeding the recommended amounts of homework. Pope and Galloway recently surveyed more than 4,300 students from 10 high-achieving high schools. Students reported bringing home an average of just over three hours of homework nightly ( Journal of Experiential Education , 2013).

On the positive side, students who spent more time on homework in that study did report being more behaviorally engaged in school — for instance, giving more effort and paying more attention in class, Galloway says. But they were not more invested in the homework itself. They also reported greater academic stress and less time to balance family, friends and extracurricular activities. They experienced more physical health problems as well, such as headaches, stomach troubles and sleep deprivation. "Three hours per night is too much," Galloway says.

In the high-achieving schools Pope and Galloway studied, more than 90 percent of the students go on to college. There's often intense pressure to succeed academically, from both parents and peers. On top of that, kids in these communities are often overloaded with extracurricular activities, including sports and clubs. "They're very busy," Pope says. "Some kids have up to 40 hours a week — a full-time job's worth — of extracurricular activities." And homework is yet one more commitment on top of all the others.

"Homework has perennially acted as a source of stress for students, so that piece of it is not new," Galloway says. "But especially in upper-middle-class communities, where the focus is on getting ahead, I think the pressure on students has been ratcheted up."

Yet homework can be a problem at the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum as well. Kids from wealthier homes are more likely to have resources such as computers, Internet connections, dedicated areas to do schoolwork and parents who tend to be more educated and more available to help them with tricky assignments. Kids from disadvantaged homes are more likely to work at afterschool jobs, or to be home without supervision in the evenings while their parents work multiple jobs, says Lea Theodore, PhD, a professor of school psychology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. They are less likely to have computers or a quiet place to do homework in peace.

"Homework can highlight those inequities," she says.

Quantity vs. quality

One point researchers agree on is that for all students, homework quality matters. But too many kids are feeling a lack of engagement with their take-home assignments, many experts say. In Pope and Galloway's research, only 20 percent to 30 percent of students said they felt their homework was useful or meaningful.

"Students are assigned a lot of busywork. They're naming it as a primary stressor, but they don't feel it's supporting their learning," Galloway says.

"Homework that's busywork is not good for anyone," Cooper agrees. Still, he says, different subjects call for different kinds of assignments. "Things like vocabulary and spelling are learned through practice. Other kinds of courses require more integration of material and drawing on different skills."

But critics say those skills can be developed with many fewer hours of homework each week. Why assign 50 math problems, Pope asks, when 10 would be just as constructive? One Advanced Placement biology teacher she worked with through Challenge Success experimented with cutting his homework assignments by a third, and then by half. "Test scores didn't go down," she says. "You can have a rigorous course and not have a crazy homework load."

Still, changing the culture of homework won't be easy. Teachers-to-be get little instruction in homework during their training, Pope says. And despite some vocal parents arguing that kids bring home too much homework, many others get nervous if they think their child doesn't have enough. "Teachers feel pressured to give homework because parents expect it to come home," says Galloway. "When it doesn't, there's this idea that the school might not be doing its job."

Galloway argues teachers and school administrators need to set clear goals when it comes to homework — and parents and students should be in on the discussion, too. "It should be a broader conversation within the community, asking what's the purpose of homework? Why are we giving it? Who is it serving? Who is it not serving?"

Until schools and communities agree to take a hard look at those questions, those backpacks full of take-home assignments will probably keep stirring up more feelings than facts.

Letters to the Editor

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Evaluating the Role of Homework

Winter 2022

By Alison Baran

Doing Our Homework

A sign of the times, through the pandemic lens.

Homework was never intended to make up for “learning loss”; it is a tool for reinforcement and enrichment.
Caregivers are more overwhelmed than ever before. Many are not in the position to support children with their homework.
Students have the right to socialize with their peers and engage in extracurricular activities that bring them happiness. During the height of the pandemic, children and teens had limited, if any, opportunities to socialize.
More than a third (37%) of teens surveyed say their mental health has worsened throughout the pandemic, according to a study done by the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health (2021). It is important that all constituents—faculty, administrators, caregivers—have a clear understanding and shared language about the expectations around giving and receiving homework. More than ever, we need to be working together in our schools with the express purpose of putting the mental health needs of our students first.
Children have the right to playtime, extracurricular activities, downtime, and adequate sleep.
Teachers should assign homework with a clear sense of why it is being given.
The purpose of the homework assignment should be articulated to the students, including the fact that a certain task might be a challenge. Research shows that when children know why they are doing the homework, they are more engaged and inspired.
Tasks should be personally relevant to students and should allow for choices. Children are motivated when they have ownership in their learning.
Over the course of time, the kinds of homework should vary depending on what is happening in class.
Homework assignments better serve students when they feel competent and confident with the material being assigned.
Children deserve feedback about the homework that they have completed.
Teachers should differentiate for individual needs across all grade levels. This might mean adjusting number of math facts, amount of reading, etc.
Parents have the right to control their child’s time outside of school without being judged.
If you have doubts about whether the assignment will further learning, consider that the default might be to have no homework, or think about conducting an experiment of not doing homework for a set period of time.

Readings and Resources

The Battle Over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents by Harris Cooper
The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn
Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs by Cathy Vatterott
“ The Case for (Quality) Homework ,” by Janine Bempechat, Education Next , Winter 2019
“ The Lost Cause of Homework Reform ,” by Brian Gill and Steven Schlossman, American Journal of Education , November 2000
“ New York School District Weighs Banning Homework ,” by Alexa Lardieri, U.S. News & World Report , May 31, 2018
“ Why this superintendent is banning homework—and asking kids to read instead ,” by Valerie Strauss, The Washington Post , July 17, 2017

Alison Baran is a fourth grade teacher at The Park School of Baltimore in Maryland. She’s also the lower school new faculty coordinator.

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The Pros and Cons of Homework: An In-Depth Analysis

Homework has been an integral part of the education system for decades, linking classroom learning and independent study. However, its effectiveness and impact on student academic performance have been subjects of ongoing debate and research.

This comprehensive article will explore the multifaceted relationship between homework and student achievement, analyzing the factors, theories, and research findings that shape our understanding of its advantages and disadvantages.

Defining Homework and Its Purpose

Before examining the pros and cons, defining what homework entails and its intended purpose is essential. Homework includes a variety of tasks assigned by teachers to be completed outside of regular classroom hours, such as practice exercises, reading assignments to cultivate reading habits in your child , projects, and essays. Its primary objectives include reinforcing classroom learning, fostering independent study habits, and providing opportunities for skill development and application.

Advantages of homework, 1. reinforces classroom learning.

Homework is most effective when it allows students to review and practice what they’ve learned in class. Assigned tasks that revisit taught concepts reinforce acquired knowledge and increase the likelihood of students retaining key information. By applying learned skills to other subjects and practical situations, homework helps students consolidate their understanding and transfer knowledge to real-life contexts.

2. Develops Important Study Skills

From time management and organization to self-motivation and independent learning, homework teaches students a range of valuable skills that they will carry with them throughout their academic and professional lives. Home learning encourages students to take responsibility for their workload while promoting the development of positive research practices, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

3. Provides Insight into Student Comprehension

Assigning learning tasks at home is an effective way for teachers to assess whether students are grasping the curriculum. By analyzing gaps in comprehension or information through homework, teachers can tailor their approach to each student’s needs, identifying those who require extra support or may benefit from more challenging learning tasks.

4. Promotes Parent-Child Bonding

When parents assist their children with assignments, it creates an opportunity for them to bond and spend quality time together. This collaboration fosters a supportive learning environment at home and helps parents stay informed about their child’s academic progress and areas where they may need additional guidance.

5. Encourages Self-Discipline and Responsibility

Homework instills a sense of self-discipline and responsibility in students. By managing their time effectively, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines, students develop essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their academic years. Regular homework completion also teaches students the value of hard work and perseverance in achieving their goals.

6. Facilitates Individualized Learning

Homework allows students to work at their own pace and delve deeper into subjects that interest them. By providing opportunities for independent exploration and research, homework encourages students to pursue their curiosity and develop a love for learning. This individualized approach can lead to a more personalized and engaging educational experience.

Read More – 10 Benefits of Homework: Enhancing Student Success with Guru at Home

Disadvantages of Homework

1. causes unnecessary stress.

The mere mention of homework can evoke feelings of anxiety and dread in students. When the workload becomes excessive and tasks increasingly challenging, homework can cause students to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and demotivated. This can lead to sleep deprivation, behavioral changes, and a negative perception of homework as a burdensome aspect of school life.

2. Interferes with Leisure Time

Free time allows children to relax, explore the world on their own terms, and engage in activities that teach valuable life skills. Healthy levels of physical activity, which can boost cognitive function, may be hindered by sedentary time spent completing homework. Striking a balance between academic responsibilities and personal pursuits is essential for overall student well-being.

3. Effectiveness Varies by Grade Level

It suggests that the relationship between homework and academic performance is influenced by grade level. We have found that homework in primary school has a minimal effect, as students often complete separate and unrelated projects rather than reinforcing learned knowledge. The effectiveness of homework appears to increase in higher grades when students are assigned tasks that ask them to revise taught information.

4. Contributes to Inequality

Homework can create disparities between children with parents who are available and willing to help and those who lack such support. Some parents have invested in study stations or hired private tutors for their children , while others may not have the capacity to provide these resources. This disparity in access and assistance can widen the achievement gap and perpetuate social inequality.

5. Potential for Overload and Burnout

When homework assignments are excessive or poorly designed, they can lead to student overload and burnout. If students are consistently overwhelmed by the volume or difficulty of homework, they may experience decreased motivation, reduced engagement, and a negative attitude towards learning. This can have long-term consequences for their academic and personal well-being.

6. Limited Quality Family Time

Excessive homework can encroach upon valuable family time, reducing opportunities for meaningful interactions and shared experiences. When students are burdened with hours of homework each day, it can strain family relationships and limit the time available for family bonding, leisure activities, and personal pursuits. This can have a detrimental impact on overall family well-being and work-life balance.

The Role of Online Tutoring in Optimizing Homework

Online tutoring platforms like Guru At Home offer personalized, affordable virtual tutoring that can help students navigate the challenges associated with homework and optimize their learning experience. Here’s how Guru At Home can assist with the pros and cons of homework:

Personalized Attention : One-on-one tutoring allows for tailored instruction that addresses specific gaps in knowledge or understanding, significantly enhancing a student’s grasp of the material. Guru At Home offers online tutoring for various grade levels, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, ensuring that students receive age-appropriate support.
Subject-Specific Expertise : Guru At Home connects students with qualified tutors who specialize in various subjects, including English, Math, Science, Algebra, and more. This access to expertise provides insights and explanations that might not be available in regular classes, helping students tackle challenging homework assignments with confidence.
Flexible Scheduling : With the convenience of scheduling online tutoring sessions at times that work best for the student, Guru At Home accommodates busy schedules and allows for a more relaxed learning environment. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for students juggling homework with extracurricular activities and other commitments.
Language Support : Guru At Home offers online tutoring in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, French, German, and Spanish. This language support ensures that students can receive homework assistance in their preferred language, breaking down barriers to understanding and facilitating effective learning.
Exam Preparation : For students preparing for important exams like the SAT, Guru At Home provides dedicated online tutors who can help them navigate the challenges of test-specific homework and develop effective study strategies. This targeted support can alleviate stress and boost confidence leading up to crucial assessments.
International Reach : Guru At Home caters to students across the globe, with online tutors available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE, UK, and more. This international presence ensures that students can access high-quality homework support regardless of their location, bridging educational gaps and fostering a global learning community.
Coding and Technology Skills : In addition to traditional subjects, Guru At Home offers online tutoring in coding languages such as CSS, HTML, Java, JavaScript, Python, Scratch, C++, and C. They also provide guidance in popular platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. These skills are increasingly valuable in today’s digital world and can enhance students’ problem-solving abilities and computational thinking.
Personalized Learning Plans : Guru At Home’s experienced tutors work closely with students to develop personalized learning plans that align with their individual needs, learning styles, and goals. By tailoring homework support to each student’s unique requirements, tutors can optimize the learning experience and help students achieve their full potential.
Progress Monitoring and Feedback : Guru At Home’s online tutoring platform provides regular progress monitoring and feedback to students and parents. This allows for timely interventions, adjustments to the learning plan, and targeted support where needed. By tracking student progress and providing constructive feedback, tutors can help students stay on track and continuously improve their performance.
Affordable and Accessible : Guru At Home offers affordable pricing options, making high-quality tutoring accessible to a wider range of students and families. With flexible payment plans and the ability to choose the number of tutoring sessions based on individual needs, Guru At Home ensures that personalized homework support is within reach for everyone. Read More – How Does Homework Help Students in the Future?

Homework has both pros and cons, enhancing learning and study skills but also causing stress and widening inequalities. Its impact varies, being more beneficial for older students when tasks are well-designed. A balanced approach is key to optimizing homework’s effectiveness.

Platforms like Guru At Home offer personalized tutoring that can alleviate homework challenges by providing targeted support and flexibility. By leveraging such resources, students can better manage homework, leading to improved academic outcomes and personal growth. Collaboration among educators, parents, and students is crucial to creating a balanced and supportive homework environment.

The appropriate amount of homework varies by grade level and individual student needs. For elementary students, 10-20 minutes per night is recommended, while middle and high school students may benefit from 30-90 minutes per night. Excessive homework can lead to stress and burnout, so it’s important to find a balance.

Research indicates that homework can have a positive impact on academic performance, particularly in higher grades. However, its effectiveness depends on factors such as the quality of assignments, grade level, and individual student needs.

Parents can support their children by providing a quiet and organized study space, setting a regular homework routine, offering encouragement and guidance, and communicating with teachers if issues arise. It’s important for parents to be involved without taking over the work.

Yes, alternatives to traditional homework include project-based learning, hands-on activities, reading for pleasure, and real-world problem-solving tasks. These approaches can engage students in meaningful learning experiences outside the classroom.

Yes, too much homework can cause stress, anxiety, and burnout in students. It’s important for teachers to assign manageable amounts of homework that are appropriate for the student’s grade level and individual needs.

15 benefits of online tutoring for kids in 2022 – guru at home, how to write a diary for kids, : every student must know.

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The Pros and Cons of Homework: What You Need to Know

Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of homework.

Homework has been a long-standing educational tradition, but it has also been a topic of debate. While some believe it reinforces learning , others argue that it adds unnecessary stress to students. In this article, we'll delve into the advantages and disadvantages of homework to provide a comprehensive understanding of its impact on students and their learning journey.

Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, understanding the pros and cons of homework can shed light on its effectiveness as a learning tool. Let's dive deep into the subject to uncover the truths and myths surrounding homework.

Homework, often seen as a mundane task, actually offers several unexpected advantages that contribute to a student's overall academic growth and personal development. Let's explore some of the lesser-known benefits of homework.

Missing a pro?

While homework has its merits, it also carries certain drawbacks that have sparked discussions about its efficacy in modern education. It's essential to weigh these disadvantages to understand the potential challenges associated with homework completion.

Missing a con?

The debate surrounding homework will likely persist, but a balanced understanding of its advantages and disadvantages is crucial for informed decision-making in educational settings. By recognizing the potential benefits and drawbacks of homework, educators and parents can strive to implement strategies that maximize its positive impact while mitigating its limitations.

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The Pros and Cons of Homework: Balancing Stress and Family Time

Hey there! Are you ready to dive into the world of homework? Love it or hate it, homework has been a hot topic of debate for years. As a seasoned educator, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have on students. In this article, I’ll be exploring the pros and cons of homework, giving you a well-rounded perspective on this age-old practice.

Table of Contents

Definition Examples Of Homework

When discussing the pros and cons of homework, it is important to have a clear understanding of what homework entails. Homework refers to any academic task assigned by teachers to be completed outside of regular school hours. It can take various forms, including worksheets, reading assignments, research projects, and practice exercises. Let’s explore some examples of homework to get a better grasp of its scope:

Math Worksheets : These are exercises that involve solving mathematical problems, practicing equations, and developing problem-solving skills. They help students reinforce what they have learned in class and build a strong foundation in mathematics.
Reading Assignments : Reading assignments often consist of chapters from textbooks, novels, or articles related to the subject being studied. Students are expected to read the material and sometimes answer comprehension questions or write summaries. This helps enhance their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills.
Writing Tasks : Writing assignments can include essays, reports, creative writing, or reflective journal entries. These tasks stimulate students’ writing skills, encourage self-expression, and foster communication abilities.
Research Projects : Research projects require students to investigate a specific topic and present their findings. They involve gathering information from various sources, analyzing data, and presenting the results in a structured manner. Research projects promote independent research skills, critical thinking, and presentation abilities.
Practice Exercises : Practice exercises involve practicing concepts or skills taught in class. Examples include solving science problems, practicing grammar rules, or learning vocabulary words. These exercises reinforce learning and provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned.

It is worth noting that the examples provided are not exhaustive, as homework assignments can vary greatly depending on grade level, subject, and educational goals. Homework serves as a means to reinforce learning, encourage independent study habits, and promote academic growth. However, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks and limitations, which we will delve into in the next section.

Pros and cons of homework

Homework has long been a topic of debate among educators, parents, and students. While some argue that it helps reinforce learning and develop important skills, others believe it can be burdensome and impede a child’s overall well-being. In this section, I will examine the pros and cons of homework, exploring both sides of the argument.

The Pros of Homework

Reinforces Learning : Homework provides an opportunity for students to review and practice what they have learned in class. By revisiting concepts and applying them independently, students reinforce their understanding and knowledge.
Develops Responsibility : Completing homework assignments teaches students to take responsibility for their own learning. It instills important skills like time management, organization, and self-discipline, which are valuable throughout their academic journey and beyond.
Prepares for Tests and Exams : Homework can serve as a valuable tool for exam preparation. By completing practice exercises, students can identify areas where they may need additional support or clarification, helping them perform better on assessments.
Promotes Independent Study : Homework encourages self-directed learning and fosters independent study habits. Students learn to seek information, research topics, and develop critical thinking skills, all of which are essential for success in higher education and the professional world.
Time Constraints : Excessive homework can leave students with limited time for other important activities, such as extracurriculars, hobbies, and quality family time. This can lead to increased stress levels and a lack of balance in their lives.
Limited Individualization : Homework assignments may not cater to the individual needs and learning styles of students. Some students may require different approaches or additional support to fully grasp the material, making generic homework tasks less effective for their learning.
Unequal Access : Not all students have equal access to resources at home, which can create disparities in completing homework assignments. This can further exacerbate educational inequities between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Potential for Burnout : A heavy workload and constant pressure to complete homework can lead to burnout in students. This can have negative implications on their mental health, motivation, and overall well-being.

Pros of Homework

When it comes to homework, there are some positive aspects that should be considered. In this section, I’ll be detailing the advantages of homework, which include improved learning, practice and reinforcement, and development of time management skills.

Improved Learning

Homework can play a valuable role in enhancing a student’s learning experience. Here’s how:

Deeper Understanding: Homework allows students to delve deeper into a subject on their own. It encourages them to research and explore beyond the classroom, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Retention of Knowledge: By reviewing and practicing what they’ve learned in class, students reinforce their knowledge and retain information for a longer period. This reinforcement helps solidify concepts in their minds, making it easier to apply them in future lessons.
Preparation for Tests and Exams: Homework provides an opportunity for students to prepare for tests and exams. It allows them to review and practice the material covered in class, increasing their chances of success.

Practice and Reinforcement

One of the main benefits of homework is the opportunity for practice and reinforcement. Here’s why it matters:

Application of Concepts: Homework gives students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. It allows them to practice problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills, which are vital for academic success and beyond.
Skill Development: Through homework assignments, students can develop essential skills such as writing, research, and time management. These skills are transferable and will benefit them in their academic and professional lives.

Development of Time Management Skills

Homework also helps in the development of crucial time management skills. Here’s how:

Organizational Skills: Balancing multiple assignments and deadlines teaches students how to prioritize their tasks, manage their time efficiently, and stay organized. These skills are invaluable not only in academics but also in their personal and professional lives.
Procrastination Prevention: Working on homework assignments regularly helps students avoid the trap of procrastination. It promotes discipline and responsibility, ensuring they complete their tasks in a timely manner.

Cons of Homework

Increased Stress

In my experience, one of the downsides of homework is the increased stress it can cause for students. Homework assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if a student has multiple subjects to complete in one evening. This added pressure can lead to anxiety and decreased motivation to learn.

Lack of Family Time

Another disadvantage of homework is that it can take away from valuable family time. After a long day at school, children may want to spend quality time with their families, engage in recreational activities, or pursue other interests. However, the presence of homework can limit these opportunities and create a barrier to family bonding.

Inequality in Access to Resources

One issue that cannot be ignored when discussing the cons of homework is the inequality in access to resources. Not all students have equal access to the necessary materials, such as textbooks, computers, or internet connection, to complete their homework assignments. This can put students from disadvantaged backgrounds at a disadvantage and further widen the educational gap.

It’s important to consider these drawbacks when evaluating the overall impact of homework on students. While there are certainly benefits to homework, such as improved learning and the development of essential skills, it’s crucial to find a balance that prioritizes the well-being and equality of all students.

In weighing the pros and cons of homework, it becomes clear that there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider. Homework can help reinforce learning, develop important skills, and prepare students for future academic challenges. However, it is important to be mindful of the negative impact it can have on students’ well-being and family dynamics.

Increased stress and anxiety, limited family time, and unequal access to resources are some of the cons associated with homework. These factors can contribute to a less balanced and equitable educational experience for students. As educators and parents, it is crucial to find a balance that prioritizes the well-being of students while still promoting their academic growth.

By acknowledging the drawbacks and striving for a fair and manageable homework load, we can create an environment that supports students’ overall development. It is essential to continuously evaluate and adapt homework policies to ensure they align with the needs and best interests of students.

Homework should be approached with a thoughtful and balanced perspective, taking into account the potential benefits and drawbacks it may bring.

20 Pros and Cons of Homework

Homework. It’s a word that sends a shudder down the spine of students and parents alike.

It is also a question that has become divisive. Some people feel that homework is an effective way to reinforce the concepts that were learned at school. Others feel like the time that homework demands would be better spent with a meaningful activity that brings the family together.

Is homework important? Is it necessary? Or is the added stress that homework places on students and parents doing more harm than good? Here are some of the key pros and cons to discuss.

List of the Pros of Homework

1. It encourages the discipline of practice. Repeating the same problems over and over can be boring and difficult, but it also reinforces the practice of discipline. To get better at a skill, repetition is often necessary. You get better with each repetition. By having homework completed every night, especially with a difficult subject, the concepts become easier to understand. That gives the student an advantage later on in life when seeking a vocational career.

2. It gets parents involved with a child’s life. Looking at Common Core math can be somewhat bewildering to parents. If you see the math problem 5×3 expressed as an addition problem, 5+5+5 seems like the right answer. The correct answer, however, would be 3+3+3+3+3. By bringing homework to do, students can engage their learning process with their parents so everyone can be involved. Many parents actually want homework sent so they can see what their children are being taught in the classroom.

3. It teaches time management skills. Homework goes beyond completing a task. It forces children (and parents, to some extent) to develop time management skills. Schedules must be organized to ensure that all tasks can be completed during the day. This creates independent thinking and develops problem-solving skills. It encourages research skills. It also puts parents and children into a position where positive decision-making skills must be developed.

4. Homework creates a communication network. Teachers rarely see into the family lives of their students. Parents rarely see the classroom lives of their children. Homework is a bridge that opens lines of communication between the school, the teacher, and the parent. This allows everyone to get to know one another better. It helps teachers understand the needs of their students better.

It allows parents to find out their child’s strengths and weaknesses. Together, an educational plan can be developed that encourages the best possible learning environment.

5. It allows for a comfortable place to study. Classrooms have evolved over the years to be a warmer and welcoming environment, but there is nothing like the comfort that is felt at home or in a safe space. By encouraging studies where a child feels the most comfortable, it is possible to retain additional information that may get lost within the standard classroom environment.

6. It provides more time to complete the learning process. The time allotted for each area of study in school, especially in K-12, is often limited to 1 hour or less per day. That is not always enough time for students to be able to grasp core concepts of that material. By creating specific homework assignments which address these deficiencies, it becomes possible to counter the effects of the time shortages. That can benefit students greatly over time.

7. It reduces screen time. On the average school night, a student in the US might get 3-4 hours of screen time in per day. When that student isn’t in school, that figure doubles to 7-8 hours of screen time. Homework might be unwanted and disliked, but it does encourage better study habits. It discourages time being spent in front of the television or playing games on a mobile device. That, in turn, may discourage distracting habits from forming that can take away from the learning process in the future.

8. It can be treated like any other extracurricular activity. Some families over-extend themselves on extracurricular activities. Students can easily have more than 40 hours per week, from clubs to sports, that fall outside of regular school hours. Homework can be treated as one of these activities, fitting into the schedule where there is extra time. As an added benefit, some homework can even be completed on the way to or from some activities.

List of the Cons of Homework

1. Children benefit from playing. Being in a classroom can be a good thing, but so can being on a playground. With too much homework, a child doesn’t have enough time to play and that can impact their learning and social development. Low levels of play are associated with lower academic achievement levels, lower safety awareness, less character development, and lower overall health.

2. It encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Long homework assignments require long periods of sitting. A sedentary lifestyle has numerous direct associations with premature death as children age into adults. Obesity levels are already at or near record highs in many communities. Homework may reinforce certain skills and encourage knowledge retention, but it may come at a high price.

3. Not every home is a beneficial environment. There are some homes that are highly invested into their children. Parents may be involved in every stage of homework or there may be access to tutors that can explain difficult concepts. In other homes, there may be little or no education investment into the child. Some parents push the responsibility of teaching off on the teacher and provide no homework support at all.

Sometimes parents may wish to be involved and support their child, but there are barriers in place that prevent this from happening. The bottom line is this: no every home life is equal.

4. School is already a full-time job for kids. An elementary school day might start at 9:00am and end at 3:20pm. That’s more than 6 hours of work that kids as young as 5 are putting into their education every day. Add in the extra-curricular activities that schools encourage, such as sports, musicals, and after-school programming and a student can easily reach 8 hours of education in the average day. Then add homework on top of that? It is asking a lot for any child, but especially young children, to complete extra homework.

5. There is no evidence that homework creates improvements. Survey after survey has found that the only thing that homework does is create a negative attitude toward schooling and education in general. Homework is not associated with a higher level of academic achievement on a national scale. It may help some students who struggle with certain subjects, if they have access to a knowledgeable tutor or parent, but on a community level, there is no evidence that shows improvements are gained.

6. It discourages creative endeavors. If a student is spending 1 hour each day on homework, that’s an hour they are not spending pursuing something that is important to them. Students might like to play video games or watch TV, but homework takes time away from learning an instrument, painting, or developing photography skills as well. Although some homework can involve creative skills, that usually isn’t the case.

7. Homework is difficult to enforce. Some students just don’t care about homework. They can achieve adequate grades without doing it, so they choose not to do it. There is no level of motivation that a parent or teacher can create that inspires some students to get involved with homework. There is no denying the fact that homework requires a certain amount of effort. Sometimes a child just doesn’t want to put in that effort.

8. Extra time in school does not equate to better grades. Students in the US spend more than 100 hours of extra time in school already compared to high-performing countries around the world, but that has not closed the educational gap between those countries and the United States. In some educational areas, the US is even falling in global rankings despite the extra time that students are spending in school. When it comes to homework or any other form of learning, quality is much more important than quantity.

9. Accurate practice may not be possible. If homework is assigned, there is a reliance on the student, their parents, or their guardians to locate resources that can help them understand the content. Homework is often about practice, but if the core concepts of that information are not understood or inaccurately understood, then the results are the opposite of what is intended. If inaccurate practice is performed, it becomes necessary for the teacher to first correct the issue and then reteach it, which prolongs the learning process.

10. It may encourage cheating on multiple levels. Some students may decide that cheating in the classroom to avoid taking homework home is a compromise they’re willing to make. With internet resources, finding the answers to homework instead of figuring out the answers on one’s own is a constant temptation as well. For families with multiple children, they may decide to copy off one another to minimize the time investment.

11. Too much homework is often assigned to students. There is a general agreement that students should be assigned no more than 10 minutes of homework per day, per grade level. That means a first grader should not be assigned more than 10 minutes of homework per night. Yet for the average first grader in US public schools, they come home with 20 minutes of homework and then are asked to complete 20 minutes of reading on top of that. That means some students are completing 4x more homework than recommended every night.

At the same time, the amount of time children spent playing outdoors has decreased by 40% over the past 30 years.

For high school students, it is even worse at high performing schools in the US where 90% of graduates go onto college, the average amount of homework assigned per night was 3 hours per student.

12. Homework is often geared toward benchmarks. Homework is often assigned to improve test scores. Although this can provide positive outcomes, including better study skills or habits, the fact is that when children are tired, they do not absorb much information. When children have more homework than recommended, test scores actually go down. Stress levels go up. Burnout on the curriculum occurs.

The results for many students, according to research from Ruben Fernandez-Alonso in the Journal of Educational Psychology, is a decrease in grades instead of an increase.

The pros and cons of homework are admittedly all over the map. Many parents and teachers follow their personal perspectives and create learning environments around them. When parents and teachers clash on homework, the student is often left in the middle of that tug of war. By discussing these key points, each side can work to find some common ground so our children can benefit for a clear, precise message.

Quantity may be important, but quality must be the priority for homework if a student is going to be successful.

Pros and cons of homework: A parent's guide

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Reinforces learning: Homework serves as a tool for reinforcing what kids learn in class, providing them with an opportunity to practice and solidify new concepts.

Develops skills: Beyond academic learning, homework helps develop essential life skills such as time management, critical thinking, and self-discipline.

Encourages responsibility: Homework assignments can encourage kids to take charge of their learning journey, fostering a sense of independence and accountability.

The cons of homework

Impact on mental health: An excessive amount of homework can lead to feelings of stress or anxiety, particularly when kids feel overwhelmed by expectations.

Diminishes free time: Homework that extends beyond reasonable limits can encroach upon kids' free time, which is also important for rest, family bonding, and overall well-being.

Exterior factors: Not all households or schedules are conducive to completing homework, creating potential disparities in academic performance among students from different backgrounds or living situations.

Tips to balance the pros and cons

Set a routine.

Establishing a regular homework schedule can help kids manage their tasks more effectively and avoid last-minute stress.

Work with your school or teacher to set reasonable limits and know when enough is enough. Some educational experts suggest limits like 10 minutes per year of age or grade level. Others suggest capping overall homework in overall minutes, especially depending on the age. For example, no more than 30 minutes or one hour per night.

Create a conducive environment

Creating a quiet, distraction-free space for homework can make the task less daunting and more engaging.

Communicate

Open communication with teachers can provide clarity on whether the homework load is manageable or overwhelming. If it feels like too much, don't hesitate to voice your concerns.

Remember, homework is a tool that can enhance a child's learning experience when used appropriately. However, balance is key. Too much homework can lead to stress, while too little may leave gaps in learning.

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > The Pros and Cons of Homework

School Life Balance , Tips for Online Students

The Pros and Cons of Homework

Updated: July 16, 2024

Published: January 23, 2020

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Remember those nights when you’d find yourself staring at a mountain of homework, eyes drooping, wondering if you’d ever see the light at the end of the tunnel? The debate over homework’s role in education is as old as time. Is it a crucial tool for reinforcing learning or just an unnecessary burden?

For college students, this question takes on new dimensions. Juggling homework with the endless amount of classes, part-time jobs, and social lives can feel like walking on thin ice. The pressure to maintain grades, meet deadlines, and still find time for friends and relaxation can be overwhelming. So, is homework a friend or foe?

A college student completely swamped with homework.

Photo by energepic.com from Pexels

The homework dilemma.

A large amount of college students report feeling overwhelmed by their academic workload, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. According to Research.com , 45% of college students in the U.S. experience “more than average” stress, with 36.5% citing stress as a major impediment to their academic performance. This stress often stems directly from the homework load, leading to symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, and difficulty sleeping. The intense pressure to manage homework alongside other responsibilities makes us question the true impact of homework on students’ overall well-being.

And then there’s the digital twist. A whopping 89% of students confessed to using AI tools like ChatGPT for their assignments. While these tools can be a godsend for quick answers and assistance, they can also undermine the personal effort and critical thinking necessary to truly understand the material.

On the brighter side, homework can be a powerful ally. According to Inside Higher Ed , structured assignments can actually help reduce stress by providing a clear learning roadmap and keeping students engaged with the material. But where’s the balance between helpful and harmful?

With these perspectives in mind, let’s dive into the pros and cons of homework for college students. By understanding both sides, we can find a middle ground that maximizes learning while keeping stress at bay.

The Pros of Homework

When thoughtfully assigned, homework can be a valuable tool in a student’s educational journey . Let’s explore how homework can be a beneficial companion to your studies:

Enhances Critical Thinking

Homework isn’t just busywork; it’s an opportunity to stretch your mental muscles. Those late-night problem sets and essays can actually encourage deeper understanding and application of concepts. Think of homework as a mental gym; each assignment is a new exercise, pushing you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in ways that strengthen your critical thinking skills .

Time Management Skills

Do you ever juggle multiple deadlines and wonder how to keep it all together? Regular homework assignments can be a crash course in time management . They teach you to prioritize tasks, manage your schedule, and balance academic responsibilities with personal commitments. The ability to juggle various tasks is a skill that will serve you well beyond your college years.

Reinforcement of Learning

There’s a reason why practice makes perfect. Homework reinforces what you’ve learned in class, helping to cement concepts and theories in your mind. Understanding a concept during a lecture is one thing, but applying it through homework can deepen your comprehension and retention.

Preparation for Exams

Think of homework as a sound check and warm-up for exams. Regular assignments keep you engaged with the material, making it easier to review and prepare when exam time rolls around. By consistently working through problems and writing essays, you build a solid foundation that can make the difference between cramming and confident exam performance.

Encourages Independent Learning

Homework promotes a sense of responsibility and independence. It pushes you to tackle assignments on your own, encouraging problem-solving and self-discipline. This independence prepares you for the academic challenges ahead and the autonomy required in your professional and personal life.

A female student who doesn’t want to do homework.

The Cons of Homework

Despite its potential benefits, homework can also have significant downsides. Let’s examine the challenges and drawbacks of homework:

Impact on Mental Health

Homework can be a double-edged sword when it comes to mental health . While it’s meant to reinforce learning, the sheer volume of assignments can lead to stress and anxiety. The constant pressure to meet deadlines and the fear of falling behind can create a relentless cycle of stress. Many students become overwhelmed, leading to burnout and negatively impacting their overall well-being.

Limited Time for Other Activities

College isn’t just about hitting the books. It’s also a time for personal growth, exploring new interests, and building social connections. Excessive homework can eat into the time you might otherwise spend on extracurricular activities, hobbies, or simply hanging out with friends. This lack of balance can lead to a less fulfilling college experience. Shouldn’t education be about more than just academics?

Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to homework, more isn’t always better. Piling on assignments can lead to diminished returns on learning. Instead of diving deep into a subject and gaining a thorough understanding, students might rush through tasks just to get them done. This focus on quantity over quality can undermine the educational value of homework.

Inequity in Education

Homework can sometimes exacerbate educational inequalities. Not all students can access the same resources and support systems at home. While some might have a quiet space and access to the internet, others might struggle with distractions and lack of resources. This disparity can put certain students at a disadvantage, making homework more of a burden than a learning tool.

Dependence on AI Tools

With the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT , homework has taken on a new dimension. While these tools can provide quick answers and assistance, they also pose the risk of students becoming overly reliant on technology. This dependence can take away from the actual learning process, as students might bypass the critical thinking and effort needed to truly understand the material. Is convenience worth the potential loss in learning?

Finding the Balance

Finding the right balance with homework means tackling assignments that challenge and support you. Instead of drowning in a sea of tasks, focus on quality over quantity. Choose projects that spark your critical thinking and connect to real-world situations. Flexibility is key here. Recognize that your circumstances are unique, and adjusting your approach can help reduce stress and create a more inclusive learning environment. Constructive feedback makes homework more than just a chore; it turns it into a tool for growth and improvement.

It’s also about living a well-rounded college life. Don’t let homework overshadow other important parts of your life, like extracurricular activities or personal downtime. Emphasize independent learning and use technology wisely to prepare for future challenges. By balancing thoughtful assignments with your personal needs, homework can shift from being a burden to becoming a helpful companion on your educational journey, enriching your academic and personal growth.

Homework has its pros and cons, especially for college students. It can enhance critical thinking, time management, and learning, but it also brings stress, impacts mental health, and can become overwhelming. Finding the right balance is key.

Focus on quality assignments, maintain flexibility, and make sure your homework complements rather than dominates your life. With a thoughtful approach, homework can support your educational journey, fostering both academic success and personal growth.

How can I manage my time effectively to balance homework and other activities?

Create a schedule that allocates specific times for homework, classes, and personal activities. Use planners or digital calendars to keep track of deadlines and prioritize tasks. Don’t forget to include breaks to avoid burnout.

How can I reduce the stress associated with homework?

To manage stress, practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Break assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one at a time. If needed, seek support from classmates, tutors, or mental health professionals.

Is using AI tools for homework cheating?

While AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for quick assistance, relying on them too much can hinder your learning process. Use them as a supplement rather than a replacement for your own effort and critical thinking.

How can teachers make homework more equitable?

Teachers can offer flexible deadlines, provide resources for students who lack them, and design assignments that account for different learning styles and home environments. Open communication between students and teachers can also help address individual challenges.

What are some strategies to make homework more meaningful?

Focus on quality over quantity by designing assignments that encourage deep thinking and application of knowledge. Integrate real-world problems to make homework more relevant and engaging. Provide constructive feedback to help students learn and grow from their assignments.

In this article

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More

College Reality Check

Should Students Have Homework? 8 Reasons Pro and 8 Against

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students in the US spend an average of 6.64 hours in school per day.

It doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that they can spend the rest of the day — excluding sleep hours — as they please. Doing homework, for one, should be squeezed into a student’s schedule to get good grades.

Homework instills many skills students can benefit from throughout their academic and professional careers, too. They include self-discipline, time management, organizing and communication skills. However, it can also leave students stressed, not to mention that some studies suggest homework does not make them smarter.

Got some homework and torn between doing it ASAP or saving it for later? Read on.

While there are many good reasons why students should have homework, all of which can be helpful in the pursuit of a grade school or high school diploma or an undergraduate degree, there are also some downsides that are hard to overlook.

8 Reasons Why Students Should Have Homework

Let’s kick things off by enumerating some of the perks that homework brings to a student’s life. Many of them can be beneficial for them not only during the time being but also in their future academic and professional endeavors.

Students Forget 95% of Things They Learn in School

Students tend to forget up to 95% of the things they learn in the classroom after 3 days.

Of course, some may forget less and some may forget more in a shorter or longer period of time. But the main takeaway is that the way information is retained can look different from one student to the other.

This is when homework can help students keep the lessons intact, reviewing allows students to remember and retain particulars in the long term.

So, in other words, doing homework facilitates the transfer of lessons learned from their short-term to their long-term memory.

By giving students homework to take care of, say, over the weekend, all the information obtained in the classroom in the past week can be reinforced, thus allowing them to benefit from them going forward.

Homework instills self-discipline

Since homework is done without any teacher in sight, it encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning.

To put it another way, it gives students the opportunity to learn how to be disciplined .

Discipline is essential to helping students obtain their academic goals. It adds that being disciplined does so effectively as a result of the following:

Fostering of positive academic performance
Encouraging to stay focused on goals
Minimizing problems brought about by peer pressure

Other than bad grades, lack of discipline that homework helps fight off can cause many other problems, too.

For one, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) says that indiscipline can result in disobeying school rules and being late to class .

The organization adds that it can also promote all kinds of anti-social behaviors and vices, all of which, if allowed to continue, may manifest later in life.

Homework hones time management

A tell-tale sign of poor time management is procrastination, and many students are no strangers to it.

As a matter of fact, the counseling office at the University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) says that around 25% of students end up being chronic procrastinators .

Having excellent time-management skills can prove to be extremely beneficial to students whose everyday schedules are hectic. It lets them stay organized, well-prepared and on schedule by enabling them to use their time wisely.

In the process, students also develop self-confidence and self-reliability, both of which can help them excel in and out of academia.

But, like many other vital skills, managing time well is something that requires students to learn and practice, too, and doing their homework dutifully each and every time helps ensure that they are on the right path.

Studying for 3 to 4 hours Gets the Work Done

Scientists say that, as reported by Think Impact, students should study 3 to 4 hours daily to get the best results.

But it’s possible to cut down on the number of hours students spend studying outside of the classroom by developing good study habits. So, in other words, if they want to study less, they should study more for the time being!

Doing homework is an effective way for students to develop much-needed study skills. This makes it possible for the brain to be able to process and retain information so much better.

The brain may be made of soft tissue called the gray matter and white matter alright. However, it’s like a muscle that needs to be exercised on a regular basis for strength and efficiency.

Good study habits can help students in more ways than one.

Besides their grades, it can also increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, it can lower stress and anxiety related to examinations and deadlines.

And since it can promote more effective studying, students need not spend a lot of time trying to remember everything that needs to be remembered, thus giving them plenty of time to do other things.

More Homework Limits Screen Time

According to a report by Medline Plus, most American children spend around 3 hours a day in front of the TV.

But because there are things such as smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and computers, added together, the online health information resource, which is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), says that all screen time types daily can total 5 to 7 hours.

But here’s the deal: young ones aged 2 and above should have screen time of only between 1 to 2 hours a day of high-quality programming, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Too much screen time in kids may lead to the following problems:

Difficulty sleeping at night
Increased risk of anxiety, depression and attention issues
Increased risk of obesity (due to lack of physical activity and unhealthy food choices resulting from ads)

It’s a good thing that there are many ways to reduce screen time in school-age kids, such as encouraging unplugged and unstructured playtime as well as urging them to do their homework instead.

Homework fosters communication

In some instances, homework has to be done in groups.

This helps students hone good communication skills as they discuss and share their views with their co-members on the various elements of the task at hand.

In the process, they also get to know some of their classmates better and even establish friendships with them in case they haven’t already in school.

On the other hand, homework that needs to be done separately by students gives the child and the parent the opportunity to communicate with one another and strengthen their bond.

Experts say that parents helping with homework brings the following benefits:

Cultivates positive learning behavior
Reinforces knowledge learned in the classroom
Gives kids the sense of just how important education is

Homework helps parents see what their kids are learning

Sending a child to a public school may be cheaper than sending him or her to a private school. But it doesn’t mean that parents have no more various education-related expenses to shoulder.

Due to the fact that money is involved, it’s important that kids are getting the best education possible.

Thanks to homework, parents can have an idea of what sort of things their youngsters are learning in school.

It also allows them to have a sense of their children’s learning style or progress and inform the teachers or school administration of any problem encountered that could have an impact on their academic achievement or development.

Homework helps teachers improve their craft

Believe it or not, it’s not just the students who can benefit from having homework and doing them diligently, too. In many instances, teachers who assign homework themselves can also gain something positive from it.

For one, homework allows them to determine whether or not their students understand the lessons well.

Depending on their observations, it also enables them to come up with alternative teaching approaches to help students become better learners, which requires them to become better teachers — much of teaching is learning on the job.

Besides, teaching methods are constantly changing, and teachers need to keep up every single time.

8 Reasons Why Students Should Have No Homework

And now, let’s enumerate some of the things that make students better off without any homework to complete after school hours or over the weekend, many of which can prove to be beneficial for their academic performance and overall well-being.

Homework causes additional stress

Based on a stress statistics report by Finances Online, 75% of high school students and 50% of middle school students report that schoolwork makes them often or always feeling stressed .

It goes without saying, then, that bringing some schoolwork to their homes for them to complete can make matters worse for them.

Especially if the goal is for the student to earn a diploma, too much stress is a no-no because it can cause:

Demotivation to study
Reduced overall academic achievement
Increased dropout rate

It’s no secret, too, that a lot of stress can affect the mental health of a person, student or otherwise.

Homework promotes a sedentary lifestyle

While we were talking about the reasons why students should have homework, it was mentioned that doing schoolwork at home lessens screen time, which can lower the risk of obesity.

But on the flip side, homework can be a reason for students to pack on excess pounds.

Instead of spending time in the playground with their friends, students sit at their desks at home for hours until such time that they have completed their homework.

Clearly, homework promotes a sedentary lifestyle , which, according to a warning issued by WHO, can double the risk of obesity as well as many other serious health concerns such as diabetes and heart disease.

Homework takes away quality time

Most of the waking hours of students are spent with their classmates and teachers. But they also have a relationship with family members and friends outside of the campus they need to build and foster.

Rather than spend their time away from the books with people they care about and who care about them, students have no choice but to devote their remaining energy to school-related matters because of homework.

It can also keep them from partaking in extracurricular and/or everyday activities they are interested in or are passionate about.

Homework has no favorable impact on grades

It can be easy to assume that the more homework assigned, the brighter students get.

However, data obtained by Trends in Math and Science Study (TIMSS) says not so fast — there’s no proof that homework can be associated with increased academic achievement .

Going by the said information, needless to say, some of the perks that come with doing homework, including better study habits and knowledge consolidation, are complete baloney.

Doing homework also does not guarantee improvement in a student’s knowledge and academic performance.

Access to the internet, for instance, allows them to find answers without much effort with the help of Google or send their smart classmates (who probably have already completed their homework) emails or DMs, which fosters cheating.

Homework takes no account of various types of learners

The name itself pretty much explains what homework is: schoolwork students need to do at home. Needless to say, without any teacher in sight, students have to complete their homework on their own accord and at their own pace.

According to a report by Digital Promise, whose mission is to shape the future of learning as well as to advance equitable education systems by collating solutions across research, practice and technology, not every student is capable of working at his or her own pace.

It adds that, for some children, self-paced learning means no-pace learning.

So, in other words, not all students are very good with homework , depending on their learning style or preference.

Homework does not go well with all types of homes

Earlier, it was mentioned that one of the reasons why students should have homework is that it helps in building good study habits, which is a critical component of attaining academic success.

And the #1 tip for developing good study habits?

Find a good place to study.

Unfortunately, not all students have homes that are conducive to homework completion. Someone who is from a big family that lives in a small home where space is constrained, undeniably, will have a hard time finding a nice quiet spot in which to do his homework.

The same conundrum will surely be faced by a student who lives in a very busy and noisy neighborhood.

Also mentioned above is the fact that homework gives the child and parent the opportunity to bond over the assignment. Clearly, this perk excludes students whose parents are juggling multiple jobs or are from broken homes.

Homework may cause conflict with parents

Speaking of which, not all parents are good at guiding their little ones in doing their homework.

As a matter of fact, according to many child psychologists, the relationship between a parent and child can create a learning environment at home that can pose a lot of challenges.

Parents, for instance, may contrast their kids’ accomplishments and failures against their own. Children, on the other hand, may see criticisms from their parents as personal attacks.

Because the parent-child dynamic can vary from one home to the other, it’s not all the time that homework can have a positive impact on the student’s grades and relationship with the parentals.

Homework makes teachers even busier

Last but not least, it’s not just students who end up with even more hectic everyday schedules by being given homework to work on but also those who assign the homework themselves — teachers!

Based on a global report that was featured by Australia-based The Educator Magazine , teachers are overworked and underworked professionals.

And that is why allowing their students to leave the school grounds without any homework to worry about later, which they will have to check during the following class meeting, can be immensely favorable for teachers.

Recap: Should Students Have Homework or Not

Assigning students with homework comes from a good place — teachers allocate them daily or weekly to reinforce knowledge learned in the classroom and instill good study skills, not to torture them.

For many students who have to go to school 160 to 180 times each year, however, homework that they need to take care of at the end of the day or over the weekend can be easily mistaken for punishment because, more often than not, it feels like one.

As a result, it’s not unlikely for many to overlook the positives of having homework and see only the negatives.

Indeed, as discussed above, homework comes with both pros and cons.

Here’s a great suggestion to allow students to continue to enjoy the benefits homework brings while minimizing the associated negatives: the Center for American Progress (CAP) recommends the 10-minute rule, which, simply put, means that students should be able to finish their homework in no more than 10 minutes multiplied by their grade level.

I graduated with BA in Nursing and $36,000 in student loan debt from the UCF. After a decade in the workforce, I went back to school to obtain my MBA from UMGC.

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Homework – Top 3 Pros and Cons

Pro/Con Arguments | Discussion Questions | Take Action | Sources | More Debates

From dioramas to book reports, from algebraic word problems to research projects, whether students should be given homework, as well as the type and amount of homework, has been debated for over a century. [ 1 ]

While we are unsure who invented homework, we do know that the word “homework” dates back to ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger asked his followers to practice their speeches at home. Memorization exercises as homework continued through the Middle Ages and Enlightenment by monks and other scholars. [ 45 ]

In the 19th century, German students of the Volksschulen or “People’s Schools” were given assignments to complete outside of the school day. This concept of homework quickly spread across Europe and was brought to the United States by Horace Mann , who encountered the idea in Prussia. [ 45 ]

In the early 1900s, progressive education theorists, championed by the magazine Ladies’ Home Journal , decried homework’s negative impact on children’s physical and mental health, leading California to ban homework for students under 15 from 1901 until 1917. In the 1930s, homework was portrayed as child labor, which was newly illegal, but the prevailing argument was that kids needed time to do household chores. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

Public opinion swayed again in favor of homework in the 1950s due to concerns about keeping up with the Soviet Union’s technological advances during the Cold War . And, in 1986, the US government included homework as an educational quality boosting tool. [ 3 ] [ 45 ]

A 2014 study found kindergarteners to fifth graders averaged 2.9 hours of homework per week, sixth to eighth graders 3.2 hours per teacher, and ninth to twelfth graders 3.5 hours per teacher. A 2014-2019 study found that teens spent about an hour a day on homework. [ 4 ] [ 44 ]

Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the very idea of homework as students were schooling remotely and many were doing all school work from home. Washington Post journalist Valerie Strauss asked, “Does homework work when kids are learning all day at home?” While students were mostly back in school buildings in fall 2021, the question remains of how effective homework is as an educational tool. [ 47 ]

Is Homework Beneficial?

Pro 1 Homework improves student achievement. Studies have shown that homework improved student achievement in terms of improved grades, test results, and the likelihood to attend college. Research published in the High School Journal indicated that students who spent between 31 and 90 minutes each day on homework “scored about 40 points higher on the SAT-Mathematics subtest than their peers, who reported spending no time on homework each day, on average.” [ 6 ] Students in classes that were assigned homework outperformed 69% of students who didn’t have homework on both standardized tests and grades. A majority of studies on homework’s impact – 64% in one meta-study and 72% in another – showed that take-home assignments were effective at improving academic achievement. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Research by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) concluded that increased homework led to better GPAs and higher probability of college attendance for high school boys. In fact, boys who attended college did more than three hours of additional homework per week in high school. [ 10 ] Read More

Pro 2 Homework helps to reinforce classroom learning, while developing good study habits and life skills. Students typically retain only 50% of the information teachers provide in class, and they need to apply that information in order to truly learn it. Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer, co-founders of Teachers Who Tutor NYC, explained, “at-home assignments help students learn the material taught in class. Students require independent practice to internalize new concepts… [And] these assignments can provide valuable data for teachers about how well students understand the curriculum.” [ 11 ] [ 49 ] Elementary school students who were taught “strategies to organize and complete homework,” such as prioritizing homework activities, collecting study materials, note-taking, and following directions, showed increased grades and more positive comments on report cards. [ 17 ] Research by the City University of New York noted that “students who engage in self-regulatory processes while completing homework,” such as goal-setting, time management, and remaining focused, “are generally more motivated and are higher achievers than those who do not use these processes.” [ 18 ] Homework also helps students develop key skills that they’ll use throughout their lives: accountability, autonomy, discipline, time management, self-direction, critical thinking, and independent problem-solving. Freireich and Platzer noted that “homework helps students acquire the skills needed to plan, organize, and complete their work.” [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 49 ] Read More

Pro 3 Homework allows parents to be involved with children’s learning. Thanks to take-home assignments, parents are able to track what their children are learning at school as well as their academic strengths and weaknesses. [ 12 ] Data from a nationwide sample of elementary school students show that parental involvement in homework can improve class performance, especially among economically disadvantaged African-American and Hispanic students. [ 20 ] Research from Johns Hopkins University found that an interactive homework process known as TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork) improves student achievement: “Students in the TIPS group earned significantly higher report card grades after 18 weeks (1 TIPS assignment per week) than did non-TIPS students.” [ 21 ] Homework can also help clue parents in to the existence of any learning disabilities their children may have, allowing them to get help and adjust learning strategies as needed. Duke University Professor Harris Cooper noted, “Two parents once told me they refused to believe their child had a learning disability until homework revealed it to them.” [ 12 ] Read More

Con 1 Too much homework can be harmful. A poll of California high school students found that 59% thought they had too much homework. 82% of respondents said that they were “often or always stressed by schoolwork.” High-achieving high school students said too much homework leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems such as headaches, exhaustion, weight loss, and stomach problems. [ 24 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] Alfie Kohn, an education and parenting expert, said, “Kids should have a chance to just be kids… it’s absurd to insist that children must be engaged in constructive activities right up until their heads hit the pillow.” [ 27 ] Emmy Kang, a mental health counselor, explained, “More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies.” [ 48 ] Excessive homework can also lead to cheating: 90% of middle school students and 67% of high school students admit to copying someone else’s homework, and 43% of college students engaged in “unauthorized collaboration” on out-of-class assignments. Even parents take shortcuts on homework: 43% of those surveyed admitted to having completed a child’s assignment for them. [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] Read More

Con 2 Homework exacerbates the digital divide or homework gap. Kiara Taylor, financial expert, defined the digital divide as “the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology and those that don’t. Though the term now encompasses the technical and financial ability to utilize available technology—along with access (or a lack of access) to the Internet—the gap it refers to is constantly shifting with the development of technology.” For students, this is often called the homework gap. [ 50 ] [ 51 ] 30% (about 15 to 16 million) public school students either did not have an adequate internet connection or an appropriate device, or both, for distance learning. Completing homework for these students is more complicated (having to find a safe place with an internet connection, or borrowing a laptop, for example) or impossible. [ 51 ] A Hispanic Heritage Foundation study found that 96.5% of students across the country needed to use the internet for homework, and nearly half reported they were sometimes unable to complete their homework due to lack of access to the internet or a computer, which often resulted in lower grades. [ 37 ] [ 38 ] One study concluded that homework increases social inequality because it “potentially serves as a mechanism to further advantage those students who already experience some privilege in the school system while further disadvantaging those who may already be in a marginalized position.” [ 39 ] Read More

Con 3 Homework does not help younger students, and may not help high school students. We’ve known for a while that homework does not help elementary students. A 2006 study found that “homework had no association with achievement gains” when measured by standardized tests results or grades. [ 7 ] Fourth grade students who did no homework got roughly the same score on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math exam as those who did 30 minutes of homework a night. Students who did 45 minutes or more of homework a night actually did worse. [ 41 ] Temple University professor Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek said that homework is not the most effective tool for young learners to apply new information: “They’re learning way more important skills when they’re not doing their homework.” [ 42 ] In fact, homework may not be helpful at the high school level either. Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, stated, “I interviewed high school teachers who completely stopped giving homework and there was no downside, it was all upside.” He explains, “just because the same kids who get more homework do a little better on tests, doesn’t mean the homework made that happen.” [ 52 ] Read More

Discussion Questions

1. Is homework beneficial? Consider the study data, your personal experience, and other types of information. Explain your answer(s).

2. If homework were banned, what other educational strategies would help students learn classroom material? Explain your answer(s).

3. How has homework been helpful to you personally? How has homework been unhelpful to you personally? Make carefully considered lists for both sides.

Take Action

1. Examine an argument in favor of quality homework assignments from Janine Bempechat.

2. Explore Oxford Learning’s infographic on the effects of homework on students.

3. Consider Joseph Lathan’s argument that homework promotes inequality .

4. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If so, how? List two to three ways. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the “other side of the issue” now helps you better argue your position.

5. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives .

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	48.	Sara M Moniuszko, “Is It Time to Get Rid of Homework? Mental Health Experts Weigh In,” , Aug. 17, 2021
	49.	Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer, “The Worsening Homework Problem,” , Apr. 13, 2021
	50.	Kiara Taylor, “Digital Divide,” , Feb. 12, 2022
	51.	Marguerite Reardon, “The Digital Divide Has Left Millions of School Kids Behind,” , May 5, 2021
	52.	Rachel Paula Abrahamson, “Why More and More Teachers Are Joining the Anti-Homework Movement,” , Sep. 10, 2021

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Homework — The Pros and Cons of Homework: A College Student’s Perspective

The Pros and Cons of Homework: a College Student's Perspective

Categories: Homework

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Published: Mar 8, 2024

Words: 554 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Advantages of homework:, disadvantages of homework:.

Reinforces Learning: Homework is an extension of classroom learning that is designed to reinforce concepts taught during class. Practicing what you've learned helps to solidify understanding, helping you to feel more confident in your abilities when the time comes to apply knowledge in the long term.
Encourages Responsibility: Homework requires a great deal of responsibility and discipline that can be beneficial for students in the longer term. Completing assignments on time and to a high standard can help to instill a sense of responsibility that can be applied in both academic and professional settings.
Preparation for Exams: Homework is seen as a form of preparation for the exams because it provides you with an opportunity to practice solving problems and answering questions similar to those that will be on the exam. This way, you can identify gaps in your knowledge and work towards improving on these areas before the exam day.
Improvement of Time Management : Homework requires effective time management to complete, and when done correctly, it helps to develop essential time management skills that are crucial in most aspects of life. Knowing how to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively can help students complete their assignments on time while still having enough time for studying, leisure, and other activities.
Development of Self-Discipline: Homework permits self-discipline that is vital when it comes to managing deadlines, holding oneself accountable, and also handling day-to-day activities.
Time Constraints: Students have a lot on their plates regarding college life that they need to manage effectively, such as classes, social life, and other extra-curricular activities. Homework can eat away at precious time that could have been spent on other essential activities.
Overburdened: When assigned too much homework, some students may feel overburdened, and find it difficult to balance their workload. This may lead to stress and burnout, particularly for students who are trying to balance part-time or full-time work and school activities.
No Time for Creative Activities: Homework might take up much time preventing students from engaging in activities that are rather creative such as dance, art, music, and other hobbies that can enhance overall skills.
Inequality: Students who do not have resources such as internet access or requisite text books may end up struggling to do homework, making them likely to fall behind in their studies.
Reduction in Quality Family Time: With a pile of homework waiting behind, family times are cut short as they need to meet with deadlines to avoid penalties.

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20 pros and cons of homework.

May 1, 2023

Homework is one of the dreaded words between students, teachers, and parents, stirring different emotions and reactions from them.

Whether schools should retain homework or scrap it from the educational system has sparked endless arguments over the years.

On one hand, proponents of the homework culture insist that it helps to reinforce learning and discipline within students, others believe that homework interferes with students’ creativity and interrupts their free time.

In this post today, we have decided to analyze both the pros and cons of homework and its effectiveness. So whether you’re a student, parent, or teacher, these insights will help you decide whether assignments are worth it.

Now, let’s get started!

Also Read : Best Apps For Homework Answers

1. Homework reinforces disciple and habit in students

2. parents will know what is being taught in class, 3. homework helps students to learn time management, 4. homework helps students to learn at their own pace, 5. homework helps kids to reduce their screen time, 6. homework reinforces students’ learning, 7. homework builds resilience and independence in students, 8. students are better prepared for tests and exams, 9. homework helps serious students stay ahead, 10. teachers can cover their crowded curriculum, 11. parents and children can spend more time together, 12. homework provides a chance to practice, 13. homework prepares students for higher education, 1. it increases the stress level, 2. homework interferes with a child’s playtime, 3. homework creates an educational imbalance, 4. homework can lead to an overload, 5. homework diminishes creativity, 6. homework discourages diverse learning, 7. homework can sometimes cause conflict at home, pros of homework.

This is an essential benefit of assigning homework to students. It helps them to create a routine and instills a sense of responsibility toward completing their assignments before a specified deadline.

Take for example, a student who is given homework in school, and upon returning home, he understands that he has to have a bath, take a short nap, and then jump on the assignment in the evening.

Now you see, the more the student keeps doing it, the stronger his routine becomes and ultimately they get to discipline themselves by avoiding things they once enjoyed doing.

Also Read : Best Alternatives To Homeworkify

Image by Jena Backus via Pexels

When students bring back homework from school, their parents will have an idea of the topics and concepts the teachers cover in class. This is truly important as it provides a means for parents to be involved in their kids’ academic progress and learning.

This involvement helps to strengthen the communication and bond between a child and the parents. Additionally, parents will also identify areas where their children are struggling in school and provide additional help and support, enhancing the child’s learning experience.

Aside from that, parents can easily revolt and complain when they see that the teachers are dealing with topics they are not comfortable with. For example, topics rated 18+.

Overall, homework helps parents to stay more informed and support their child’s educational journey.

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Another advantage of homework is that it teaches kids how to manage their time. How is that possible?

Students are usually assigned a specific amount of time to complete their homework. This deadline pushes them to develop a sense of responsibility and find ways to complete their assignments within that timeframe no matter how demanding their chores are at home.

They will learn how to allocate time for different tasks and know which to prioritize above the other. Of course, this requires enough planning and organization which will in turn help them in other aspects of life even as an adult.

This time management skill will prove invaluable when the child starts navigating his career, and his responsibilities later on in life. They will know how to balance their time and stay productive .

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Image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexel

As you know, in schools, teachers have sets of topics that they have to cover within a specific timeframe. Since students’ learning capacity is not the same, some may grasp lessons faster than others.

For those that assimilate slower, the homework allows them to keep up and learn concepts at their own pace. Aside from the limited time frame, some students may be too nervous to ask questions in class and will usually learn more when attending to assignments.

I noticed this from one of my siblings. He’s naturally a slow learner and so whenever he brings back an assignment from school, I usually take my time to explain the topics.

I’m usually fascinated by the excitement in his voice when he says, “ Oh, I get it now. I didn’t understand it in class and there was no time to ask questions .”

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Studies show that kids spend approximately five to seven hours on screen. And you know what plenty of screen time can cause? Your kids will have a problem sleeping at night which may also increase your child’s anxieties and attention problems.

Additionally, lots of screen time might cause your kids to gain too much weight and have neck problems from too much sitting. As much as screen time has its own benefits, it’s important to curtail it.

Homework is a good way to achieve this. Your kids can stay away from cartoons and video games and pay more attention to their academics.

Cons of Homework

Imagine after a hectic day at school and rather than come home to rest, students are faced with completing their homework. It’s even worse when there are multiple assignments to complete while also attending to other chores at home.

In cases like this, students have little or no time to rest which can increase their stress levels, leave them burnt out, and mess with their mental well-being.

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Remember the popular statement, “ All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. ” As much as academic excellence is important, kids also need to get involved in other spheres of life. They need to socialize with their peers, build on their hobbies, and get involved in other extracurricular activities.

All these build their social skills and ensure they are well-rounded individuals. It also helps in self-discovery and exploration.

So when saddled with lots of homework, kids will hardly have time for these activities which will impair their social development.

Image by Katerina Holmes via Pexels

Some kids do not have a conducive home for learning. School is usually a good escape from what they are facing at home. On the other hand, there are kids with healthy family backgrounds who enjoy the full support and care of their parents.

In cases like that, kids from these disadvantaged backgrounds will hardly perform well in their homework because their parents are either too busy to help them out or are not available to do so.

Since homework attracts scores that will be used in final grading, these kids are already at a disadvantage. Their low scores might even decrease their self-esteem.

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Homework Advantages and Disadvantages

February 10, 2023

Teens cite homework as causing stress, but homework does have advantages as well as disadvantages.

Homework’s merits have been debated for decades, with parents, educators, and education specialists debating the advantages of at-home study. There are many pros and cons of homework. We’ve examined a few significant points to provide you with a summary of the benefits and disadvantages of homework.

Homework Advantage & Disadvantage: 3 Examples

Advantage 1: homework helps to improve student achievement.

Homework teaches students various beneficial skills they will carry with them throughout their academic and professional life, from time management and organization to self-motivation and autonomous learning.

Homework helps students of all ages build critical study abilities that help them throughout their academic careers. Learning at home also encourages the development of good research habits while encouraging students to take ownership of their tasks.

If you’re finding homework is becoming an issue at home, check out our tips to tackle homework issues before they get out of hand .

Disadvantage 1: Too Much Homework Can Negatively Affect Students

You’ll often hear from students that they’re stressed out by schoolwork. Stress becomes even more apparent as students get into higher grade levels.

A study conducted on high school student’s experiences found that high-achieving students found that too much homework leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems such as:

Weight loss
Stomach problems

More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do to our bodies.

It’s been shown that excessive homework can lead to cheating. With too much homework, students end up copying off one another in an attempt to finish all their assignments.

Advantage 2: Homework Helps to Reinforce Classroom Learning

Homework is most effective when it allows students to revise what they learn in class. Did you know that students typically retain only 50% of the information teachers provide in class?

Students need to apply that information to learn it.

Homework also helps students develop key skills that they’ll use throughout their lives:

Accountability
Time management
Self-direction
Critical thinking
Independent problem-solving

The skills learned in homework can then be applied to other subjects and practical situations in students’ daily lives.

Disadvantage 2: Takes Away From Students Leisure Time

Children need free time. This free time allows children to relax and explore the world that they are living in. This free time also gives them valuable skills they wouldn’t learn in a classroom, such as riding a bike, reading a book, or socializing with friends and family.

Having leisure time teaches kids valuable skills that cannot be acquired when doing their homework at a computer.

Plus, students need to get enough exercise. Getting exercise can improve cognitive function, which might be hindered by sedentary activities such as homework.

Advantage 3: Homework Gets Parents Involved with Children’s Learning

Homework helps parents track what their children are learning in school.

Also allows parents to see their children’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Homework can alert parents to any learning difficulties that their children might have, enabling them to provide assistance and modify their child’s learning approach as necessary.

Parents who help their children with homework will lead to higher academic performance, better social skills and behaviour, and greater self-confidence in their children.

Disadvantage 3: Homework Is Not Always Effective

Numerous researchers have attempted to evaluate the importance of homework and how it enhances academic performance. According to a study , homework in primary schools has a minimal effect since students pursue unrelated assignments instead of solidifying what they have already learned.

Mental health experts agree heavy homework loads have the capacity to do more harm than good for students. But they also say the answer may not be to eliminate homework altogether. So, unfortunately for students, homework is here to stay.

Keep reading: Get homework done right the first time with homework tips and tricks.

Need Help Completing Homework Effectively?

There are many pros and cons of homework, so let our tutors at GradePowerLearning can help your family create great homework habits to ensure students are successful at homework.

Contact a location near you to get started today!

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The homework debate, october 30, 2017, suzanne zimbler.

In July 2017, families in Marion County, Florida, got some surprising news. “Traditional homework as we know it will disappear, at least for elementary students,” Heidi Maier said in a voice message to parents. Maier is the school superintendent. “Instead, we want students reading,” she said.

More than 20,000 students attend the county’s 31 elementary schools. Dara Mehr is one of them. She is in the fifth grade. Last year, Dara had two or three hours of homework a night. “I would have 12 math questions and six or seven pages of work to do for reading,” she told TIME for Kids.

Now Dara’s only homework is to read for 30 minutes. She and her younger sister, Neveah, enjoy having more time for other activities. But their mom, Kayla Mehr, misses last year’s homework. “Sometimes, getting the kids to sit down and read for 30 minutes is a challenge,” she says.

Paula Fass is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She says there has been disagreement over homework “ever since schooling became a requirement.”

Support for homework has gone up and down through the years (see “Homework History”). “In the 1900s, a lot of parents thought that homework just occupied children’s time [when] they could be doing chores,” says Fass. Today, many still question the role that homework should have in kids’ lives. (For more on the pros and cons of homework, see “Do Kids Need Homework?”)

Finding a Balance

Harris Cooper is a professor at Duke University. He has reviewed more than 50 studies on homework. In his view, homework has a positive effect on learning. “The effect gets larger as kids move through the grades. But even in the early grades, homework has a positive effect on simple skills,” he says.

The National Education Association and the National PTA suggest that students get 10 minutes of homework per grade. Cooper supports this policy. It is known as the “10-minutes rule.”

But he warns that not all homework is helpful. “If there’s too much of it or if it’s too difficult, it can lead to frustration,” he says. “And that’s not a good thing.”

This year, the school has a new principal, Isamar Vargas. The students have homework once again. But they receive only one assignment per day. “We want to build responsibility and structure,” says Vargas. “But we don’t want to take away the important time that children have with their families or practicing sports.”

Kelly Elementary won’t be the only school to experiment with its policies. “This is part of a long history of conflict over homework,” says Fass, the Berkeley professor. “And that can be expected to continue.”

Homework History

Attitudes toward homework have changed throughout U.S. history. In the future, do you think support for homework will rise or fall?

Early 1900s: A number of school districts pass anti-homework rules. The goal? To cut down on students’ having to memorize information, known as rote learning.

1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, a satellite. The space race is on. Homework in science and math increases.

1966: The National Education Association suggests “limited amounts” of homework in upper elementary school.

1983: President Ronald Reagan’s Education Department says schools need to improve. There is pressure to get tough.

1990s: Global competition is on the rise. Support for homework in the U.S. is strong. Students get more homework than they had in the past.

Assessment: Click here for a printable quiz. Teacher subscribers can find the answer key in this week's Teacher's Guide.

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Do Kids Need Homework?

TFK asked two experts to weigh in on homework. Janine Bempechat teaches human development and psychology at Wheelock College, in Massachusetts. Below, she explains why homework serves an important purpose for students of all ages. Etta Kralovec teaches education…

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Pros and Cons of Homework: The Great Homework Debate

1) enforcing discipline, 2) increased learning, 1) prevents outside growth, 2) causing stress, the bottom line, alternatives.

There are many pros and cons of homework. If you remember back to your childhood, one of the most annoying parts of school might have been homework. Many of dreaded having to get home, because instead of doing something fun, we had to whip out the textbook and start doing some problems – not a great way to have to spend the afternoon. We didn’t understand the importance of homework, we saw it as a chore. The same is true of children today.

Homework has been heavily debated for years, with popular opinion shifting in and out of favor over the generations. As both a teacher and a mother, I have mixed feelings on the issue. On one hand, I know the importance of skill practice. However, I also know how crucial it is for children to have time for play and exploring interests outside of school.

Thankfully, I think there is a way to settle the ‘great homework debate’ by finding better alternatives.

Pros and Cons of Homework: The Good

The most influential part of homework is the habits it instills in students. In class, students are not often challenged to study and learn on their own; they are instead guided. With homework, students must force themselves to get the work done on their own time, instilling discipline and habits of work.

Discipline is especially relevant when these students start to work and, eventually, consider college. If they lack important studying habits, they will struggle in the self-lead world of college. But homework isn’t the only way teachers and parents can help children be more disciplined.

There are many other ways to strengthen this ability as well. One being providing structure and two, teaching problem-solving skills.

Believe it or not, homework does help the student to learn the subject faster and with higher accuracy. In fact, scientific research shows there is no ‘math gene’ that makes people good at math. Instead, it takes practice.

When students approach high school, the amount of work assigned per night slowly rises. Additionally, the amount of work a student can handle with positive results raises over time as well. A high school student and an elementary schooler can’t handle the same amount of homework, which is why it is assigned in different quantities.

The benefits of homework start to degrade after two hours for high schoolers, an hour and a half for grades 7-9, 45 minutes for grades 3-6, and 15 minutes for grade k-2. So instead of getting rid of homework altogether, teachers can focus on assigning a reasonable amount of what really matters.

Pros and Cons of Homework: The Bad

Excessive amounts of homework can take away from a student’s free time to engage in other activities. My middle schooler has struggled with this as tons of homework got in the way of doing what she loves, singing.

From sports to work to hobbies and clubs, there is a variety of things outside of homework that’s worth a student’s time. Finding balance is key. This can often be accomplished through schedule and routine.

Along with preventing outside growth, homework can lead to not just a full schedule, but a packed one. It is no secret this generation’s children are pressured more than any in the past to excel. From travel sports for elementary schoolers to thousand-dollar tutoring sessions to endless college visits – the stress is mounting.

Add homework on top of all this work, and the student is going to feel stressed out. The key is helping them feel successful while not overworking them at such a young age. I’ve found that a great way to do this is by making studying fun! If your child is one that hates math or doesn’t see the importance of reading , using interactive alternatives to study time is important.

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I know you may be thinking, I don’t assign the homework, I don’t have control. But most teachers are flexible and will work with you if you explained how other practice alternatives are helping your child.

I think the proper way to go about handling the issue of homework is not full support or a complete ban, but a middle-ground approach.

Most of the cons of homework come from an excess of it, while most pros are from homework in moderation. It is clear homework helps, at least to an extent, and too much is indeed a bad thing. We can’t coddle our kids forever, but it’s irresponsible to force a 45+ hour work week on students.

If we want students to succeed, we need to add in extra work when they need it. We also need to include it in a personalized manner to work their weak spots and hold their interest.

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Homework is boring, we all know it, so why not look for a better option? Sometimes, students do need an extra push of outside learning to succeed; homework alone might not just be enough. ArgoPrep’s new K-8 math program might be the solution you need. Keep extra work useful, and with purpose, that’s why ArgoPrep’s service is such a great addition, it adds in what you need when you need it.

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COMMENTS

The Pros and Cons of Homework
This information was compiled from three different web articles (links provided). This information has informed the homework policy for FRCS Elementary, which can be found in the Family Handbook. Homework should be balanced Read the original article Here's what the research says: In general, homework has substantial benefits at the high school level, with decreased benefits
The Role of Homework: Is It Helping or Hurting Students?
Pros of Homework: Cons of Homework: Reinforces learning: homework helps retain and master skills learned in class. Increases stress: excessive homework can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout, particularly among young students. Building time management and self-discipline: completing homework teaches students to manage time, prioritize tasks, and discipline.
The Pros and Cons of Homework
Pro 1: Homework Helps to Improve Student Achievement. Homework teaches students various beneficial skills that they will carry with them throughout their academic and professional life, from time management and organization to self-motivation and autonomous learning. Homework helps students of all ages build critical study abilities that help ...
Pros and Cons of Homework
Pros. Proponents of homework present several positives: It improves student achievement - "Students in classes that were assigned homework outperformed 69% of students who didn't have homework on both standardized tests and grades.". - Britannica ProCon.
Is homework a necessary evil?
After decades of debate, researchers are still sorting out the truth about homework's pros and cons. One point they can agree on: Quality assignments matter. By Kirsten Weir. March 2016, Vol 47, No. 3. Print version: page 36. 8 min read
27 Top Homework Pros and Cons
Pros of Homework: Cons of Homework: Pro 1: Homework teaches discipline and habit: Con 1: Homework interferes with playtime ... Children often have a wide range of after school activities to undertake. They need to develop the skill of managing all these activities to fit homework in. ... Children spend approximately 5 to 7 hours in front of ...
Evaluating the Role of Homework
Homework has been a deeply rooted feature of the primary and secondary education system for well over a century. And it's an extremely divisive topic—homework seems to be considered either all good or all bad. There's no in-between. Throughout the 20th century, the debate about homework seemed to be guided by cultural and political pressures.
The Pros and Cons of Homework: An In-Depth Analysis
Before examining the pros and cons, defining what homework entails and its intended purpose is essential. Homework includes a variety of tasks assigned by teachers to be completed outside of regular classroom hours, such as practice exercises, reading assignments to cultivate reading habits in your child, projects, and essays. Its primary ...
Exploring the Benefits and Drawbacks of Homework
Reinforcement of Learning. Homework provides an opportunity for students to reinforce the concepts taught in class. By practicing and applying these lessons at home, students can solidify their understanding and retention of the subject matter. This reinforcement can lead to better academic performance and a deeper grasp of the material.
The Pros and Cons of Homework: Balancing Stress and Family Time
Homework serves as a means to reinforce learning, encourage independent study habits, and promote academic growth. However, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks and limitations, which we will delve into in the next section. Pros and cons of homework. Homework has long been a topic of debate among educators, parents, and students.
20 Pros and Cons of Homework
3. It teaches time management skills. Homework goes beyond completing a task. It forces children (and parents, to some extent) to develop time management skills. Schedules must be organized to ensure that all tasks can be completed during the day. This creates independent thinking and develops problem-solving skills.
Pros and cons of homework: A parent's guide
Pros and cons of homework: A parent's guide. has been a long-standing debate in the education community. On one hand, proponents argue that it reinforces learning and prepares students for academic challenges. On the other hand, critics argue that it can lead to stress, take time away from family and extracurricular activities, and doesn't ...
The Pros and Cons of Homework
Homework has its pros and cons, especially for college students. It can enhance critical thinking, time management, and learning, but it also brings stress, impacts mental health, and can become overwhelming. Finding the right balance is key. Focus on quality assignments, maintain flexibility, and make sure your homework complements rather than ...
PDF Pros And Cons Of Homework (Table Summary)
Cons of Homework. Pro 1: Homework teaches discipline and habit. Con 1: Homework interferes with playtime. Pro 2: Homework helps parents know what's being. Con 2: Homework interferes with extracurricular. learned in class activities. Pro 3: Homework teaches time management. Con 3: Homework discourages students from going. outside and exercising.
Should Students Have Homework? 8 Reasons Pro and 8 Against
Indeed, as discussed above, homework comes with both pros and cons. Here's a great suggestion to allow students to continue to enjoy the benefits homework brings while minimizing the associated negatives: the Center for American Progress (CAP) recommends the 10-minute rule, which, simply put, means that students should be able to finish their ...
Homework Pros and Cons
Homework does not help younger students, and may not help high school students. We've known for a while that homework does not help elementary students. A 2006 study found that "homework had no association with achievement gains" when measured by standardized tests results or grades. [7]
The Pros and Cons of Homework: a College Student's Perspective
Homework has been a topic of debate for years, with people having varying opinions on its value. While some believe that homework is essential for academic success, others argue that it's a waste of time that should be spent on other activities.In this essay, I will explore the advantages and disadvantages of homework from my perspective as a college student.
20 Pros And Cons Of Homework
Pros of Homework. 1. Homework reinforces disciple and habit in students. This is an essential benefit of assigning homework to students. It helps them to create a routine and instills a sense of responsibility toward completing their assignments before a specified deadline. Take for example, a student who is given homework in school, and upon ...
Homework Advantages and Disadvantages
Teens cite homework as causing stress, but homework does have advantages as well as disadvantages. Homework's merits have been debated for decades, with parents, educators, and education specialists debating the advantages of at-home study. There are many pros and cons of homework.
The Homework Debate
But even in the early grades, homework has a positive effect on simple skills," he says. The National Education Association and the National PTA suggest that students get 10 minutes of homework per grade. Cooper supports this policy. It is known as the "10-minutes rule.". But he warns that not all homework is helpful.
12 Pros and Cons of Homework
One of the positive effects of homework is that it helps to encourage the discipline of practice. Repetition is necessary to get better at skills. Practising the same problem over and over helps to reinforce the discipline of practice. Homework helps make concepts more clear and helps to build a career in the future. 2.
Homework Pros and Cons
Hands-on practice: Students get to solve problems and make a hands-on attempt at what was discussed in class. Life lessons: Aside from the topics students are studying, homework teaches valuable lessons like discipline, time management, and the importance of practicing. Progress gauge for students: Students can track their own progress.
Pros and Cons of Homework: The Great Homework Debate
The benefits of homework start to degrade after two hours for high schoolers, an hour and a half for grades 7-9, 45 minutes for grades 3-6, and 15 minutes for grade k-2. So instead of getting rid of homework altogether, teachers can focus on assigning a reasonable amount of what really matters. Pros and Cons of Homework: The Bad

The Pros and Cons of Homework

Homework should be balanced

Why Homework Should Be Balanced

The pros and cons of homework

Important Pros of Homework

2. Brings Families Closer Together

3. Teaches The Child How To Be Responsible

Important Cons of Homework

2. Decrease In Socialization

3. Increase In Conflicts Between Parent And Child

More pros and cons of homework

The Cons of Homework

The Pros of Homework

Academic Pages

Pros and Cons of Homework

How Much Time?

What Students Think

What Teachers Think

Defining the Need

A World of Unknowns

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Table of Contents

2. Develops Important Study Skills

3. Provides Insight into Student Comprehension

4. Promotes Parent-Child Bonding

5. Encourages Self-Discipline and Responsibility

6. Facilitates Individualized Learning

Disadvantages of Homework

2. Interferes with Leisure Time

3. Effectiveness Varies by Grade Level

4. Contributes to Inequality

5. Potential for Overload and Burnout

6. Limited Quality Family Time

The Role of Online Tutoring in Optimizing Homework

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The Pros and Cons of Homework: Balancing Stress and Family Time

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Cons of Homework

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20 Pros and Cons of Homework

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Pros and cons of homework: A parent's guide

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