On the news not too long ago there was a report about one elementary school that will--get this!--actually ban homework because of it's negative effects on the students. Now, I'll repeat that because even I barely believe it. The SCHOOL wants to BAN HOMEWORK in order to BETTER their students? It's like a high schooler's dream come true. But is the school's reasoning founded in logic, or is it another publicity stunt for some unknown administrators to get in the 5 second limelight?
First I must talk a bit about the elementary school's reasoning for actually wanting to ban homework. They seriously don't believe it helps their students understand schoolwork. They argue that afterschool time is for "kids to be kids" and also be with their families. Ok, we're listening folks.
One History teacher admits to giving less and less homework each year, not even seeing how it could help his students. He described a marked trend in a positive direction for his students with this less-homework, more free time mentality. Kids usually just copy from friends and barely care about the work they are doing, he explained. So an hour of work may be put it, but it's a waste of time if the student hasn't learned anything.
Isn't this such a strange thing to hear on the news? Teachers actually not liking homework....it's almost unbelievable. The procrastinating student part of me thinks "Yay!" while the more responsible yet less-heard-from me says "But homework helps me know what's going on in my classes!"
But DOES IT?
I ask this question of myself because I really do wonder. Let's see, I'm doing bad in Statistics, and even getting homework done perfectly doesn't seem to help. Whenever there is a chapter assigned in any class, I rarely if ever read the entirety of a chapter. Heck, and I'm one of the good student's! So I must ask myself, does homework actually help me?
I want to say yes...because that's what's been pounded into my head for years, but can I honestly admit it? Sometime homework is just "busy work"--mindless things assigned by teachers who seem to be bored. Other homework assignments I MUSt pay attention to, especially if it is not an easy subject.
So, unfortunately, I cannot totally agree with this one school's decision, nor can I fully disagree. This issue seems to shed light on both aspects, and maybe there's a gray area that should be accounted for. That would be this: That certain students recieve homework if it actually helps them, while others don't. I don't know if that witless conclusion makes sense, but I'll defend my right to say it!
Any comments?
Minor error. I do them all the time, percivale!
:)
...but I do think that sometimes schools go overboard with the work they assign. Take my best friend's daughter for example (I'll call her "J"). J is a bright kid. Very high IQ, she tests well, is an avid reader, and is creative and outgoing.
During an average week, she spends between three to five hours on homework EVERY night. Basically, she gets home from school, goes directly to her workspace, and starts her homework. She breaks for dinner, and then goes BACK to her workspace for another two or three hours. On an EASY day, she's spending more than 11 hours doing schoolwork (eight hours at school, three hours at home), not to mention the hour or so that she spends on the bus every day.
I think that's rediculous. Most ADULTS don't have to work 11 hour days on a regular basis, and I think we damage our kids by not leaving them at least SOME time to actually BE KIDS. I trouble J's parents greatly to have to force her to work this hard, but if she doesn't complete all of the work, she receives zeroes that bring down her grades. It hardly seems reasonable or productive.
Another thing that this school does is to make assignments for the PARENTS have to complete with the kid. The motivation is obvious, and in a sense commendable. They are manipulating the parents to get more involved with their kids' education. But I think it is rediculous to mark a child's grade down because of something their parents do poorly (or not at all). Fortunately, J's parents are highly motivated and educated, but I fail to see the justification for judging a child based on someone ELSE'S work.
percivale
I wrote, "I trouble J's parents...", but MEANT to write, "IT troubles J's parents..."
Sorry.
percivale
Very good points, percivale. I know homework's important, but some kids just need a break. 3-4 hours a day is not good. I like that some more lax teachers will offer extra credit or a homework pass so that one mistake will not bring your grade down, but there are still times when teachers should take it easy on the homework assigning.
The ending conclusion seems like it would be impossible to regulate and you'd end up with multiple standards within one school, but ultimately in colleges.
I think the most helpful part of homework is that it prepares us for college. No matter what laws are passed colleges will assign papers and essays because they have too. If we stop doing homework in grade school then how will be ready for college?
School is (supposed) to be about learning about life lessons, too. Homework is supposed to help teach responsibility. Some is does, some just copy other people's stuff. But that's life too. And if you get caught cheating, you get penalized. Just like life. If you aren't doing your work, and are just mooching off someone else, it's going to catch up to you, and you're probably going to get fired.
I also think that homework does help when a student isn't ambitious enough to go over the material on their own. It may help to teach them that reviewing stuff actually DOES help you retain it/understand it, so when it comes time for them to not be required to go back over it via homework, they may realize that it was benefitial back in the day and do it on their own
Ban homework...pfffft. Homework is surely a pain in the ass, but it helps.
I think it helps because it forces you to go back to the material that you studied in class and look back on it. It's sort of a review and it forces you to keep on top of hw. Like right now, I'm way behind in Calc because hw is not collected. But last semester I was always on top of it because it was collected and graded.
Assigned or not, it's up to students whether they choose to do their homework. "Duh," you say. But looking back, if my parents and my own gut feelings hadn't told me to do my homework, I don't think I would be as stable as I am today as a college student. That is just me personally.
What are those kids going to do when they get to college and get SLAMMED with homework? They're probably going to freak out from being so overwhelmed! Heck, I'm overwhelmed now as a current student.
I guess when it comes down to it I am thankful for the discipline that homework over the years has afforded me - however much I hated some of those assignments or however much some of them were just busy work. There is a mental thought process instilled in me now that allows me to decide which of my homework assignments are most critical to my education and worth my time.
On using homework to study for tests: Yeah, this is a good method, but sometimes the teacher's test isn't even what the homework taught! I feel the best way to know exactly what your teacher wants is to directly ask them what you should study.
But then again, I'm a former band nerd. :o)
*Melanonia*
Asking what's going to be on the test can only go so far. Our professor gave us a list of subjects we needed to know, and then gave us questions on them that came from way out in left field. Like asking how to make a motor using a membrane and water.
~C
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I never do my homework so who knows!
My thoughts exactly. It's kind've hard to take a position on either side, isn't it? And homework really can help by adding to what can't be reached in classtime...I still don't know what to think!
(couldn't see the "fnords". I'm thinkin' I'm safe)
To C~
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, homework really can help, but there is probably a certain extent where it goes TOO far, especially with younger kids having ot carry heavy books. Looks like I'm leaning pro-homework on this one.
I'd much rather have homework to pad my grade than not have it. I had a class last semester that our entire grade was based off of three tests. I felt so lost going into the tests, because we didn't have any homework indicating what we needed to stress our studying on, and there was no opportunity to use the old tests some people happened to have, because our professor completely changed the format on us.
In addition, in my physiology class, we have case studies and virtual labs as homework. These are designed to make sure that we understand what we're studying, rather than just blindly memorizing it, and I really think it helps.
I don't think teachers should feel obligated to give homework, but I don't think the school should ban homework, either.
~C
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That's really interesting. I wonder how much homework does help, but on the other hand, I know that reading assignments for me was always a big help. It's a mixed bag, I guess, and nobody will know how it works for a few years.
(if you can't see the fnords they won't eat you)