Homework is an integral part of learning. It is something you are likely to learn early in school life and continue all through school, college, and even beyond.
Students often tussle with their homework and wonder if
there are any benefits of homework. Based on a study by The National Center for Educational Statistics, on average, an American student spends close to 6.8 hours on
homework outside of school.
Homework basically implies that we need to spend individual time with what is taught in a class in an attempt to assimilate it into our knowledge base. The knowledge base in turn helps us navigate through the subject’s difficulties. While some of this knowledge is going to help us build careers, some would help us in day-to-day living, and connecting with others.
For instance, students who spend enough time working on math homework and develop strong math skills tend to make day-to-day calculations about shopping, and budgeting faster and more accurately.
This helps them save time. Imagine what if you can save every 1 minute over the easiest math calculations faced in a single day? It can literally save you up for a great number of hours!
Well, education certainly is important. Exams are the yardstick that generally measures how we are faring in our learning. But one may wonder what concrete role homework plays in it.
Let us take a look at the reasons and benefits of homework and why it works for students.
Once you study a subject in class, you get a fair idea about that topic. But, when you work on the assignment at home, that is when you would have an independent chance to see how well you have understood it, and whether you can apply the knowledge to write essays, solve problems, or replicate answers with minimum help.
You likely spend your time on homework, chores, spending time with friends, etc. But, often it is difficult to fit all of them into your schedule. Isn’t it? This is when time management skills become useful. When you learn to prioritize your homework and work at it in order of priority, you are likely to finish all of it successfully. This skill is likely to be your good friend ahead in life as you go on to manage your career, family, hobbies, etc.
Studying after school allows you to get another fresh look at the topics taught in class. This is easily enabled through homework. Besides, due to working on the assignments, you also develop a greater understanding of the topics. So, revisions come hand in hand with homework. This in turn prepares you for the exam better.
Parents have a big role in the growth as well as learning of a student. When they know what their children are studying, they are likely to make arrangements accordingly. Besides, it also allows them to feel at ease, or find a need to connect with the teacher about the student’s progress.
Through the routine of doing homework, and submitting them, students demonstrate their active participation in the class. Teachers can spot which students have not submitted their assignments. Besides, as the teachers review the work, they can get an idea of whether a particular student has understood the topic in a true sense.
There are two sides to every coin. Excess homework can be perilous. Some of the common drawbacks or problems associated with homework are:
Schools usually give homework based on students’ grade levels. The workload increases on average by 10 minutes per day per grade. But, on an individual level, each student has different situations at different points in time. Some of the common challenges for students in doing homework are:
Deciding on the homework load and style is a matter of the policymakers, and they need to make rules keeping in mind the good for all.
So, what else can be done apart from debating about what is a fair homework load for the right development of an individual student?
The answer lies in the partial personalization of assignments.
How?
By seeking support with homework where needed. Students can ask homework help expertsto explain the concepts, and how to go about working on their homework. The experts can help students submit assignments on time, and thereby reduce the stress of timely submission.
