Is there really a point to homework? Furthermore, should it be abolished?

Question

So I guess I've been wondering this question for my whole life. What really is the point of homework? Should students really be forced to be academic all the time? Shouldn't they get a break now and then? I'm sure students have other things to do! Does homework have any REAL benefits? Should homework be abolished from schools?

Answer 1

It should be abolished because it makes too many even more resentful of the time wasted in school.

Answer 2

Homework should be an opportunity to reinforce the skills that were learned in school. The work should be short and not introduce a new skill.

Answer 3

homework is important even though we all hate it...lol...it helps in learning things better n trying to do somethin on ur own...everyone has to do it whether we like it or not

Answer 4

Depends on the subject.  No school I know of goes 24/7 and there are extracariculars.   Summer vacation ring a bell?  Homework has many benefits including learning, intelligence, and the benefit of accomplishing assigned tasks.  No.

Answer 5

When I was in school homework was whatever work we didn't finish in class, or things like special projects and term papers.  Now it seems like they are giving so much homework it seems like kids don't have much time to be kids.  If they are giving so much homework it makes me wonder what they are doing in class when they are supposed to be teaching.

Answer 6

There's generally two reasons why students are given homework.  

First, it's to reinforce what's been taught that day.  By doing homework, students are given the opportunity to do the work independently.  Teachers are then able to go over their homework to see if the students understand the subject matter.

Secondly, homework is given to teach students responsibility.  The higher the level of education, the larger the workload.  The amount of work you have to do in high school WITH homework pales in comparison to the amount of work you are expected to do in college.  Imagine if you didn't get any homework in high school.  You'd have no time management skills or ability to cope with a large workload in college.  

These are just two reasons homework is given.  Ultimately, if you are to do well in high school and in college, homework is going to be an integral part of it.

Answer 7

Homework is meant to reinforce skills introduced in class. Obviously the more a person works with information, the more learning takes place. If it is just busy-work, then it is a waste. I know many teachers assign busy-work and that's wrong. If homework is used to reinforce new material--it is a tool the teacher can use to see if the student understands the material prior to getting tested on it.  It makes no sense to give a test to a class when half of them will do poorly. As a teacher, I really want all of my students to earn A's !!

I think studies have been done that question the amount of classroom learning contact that takes place during a school day. Time being in the building and time learning are two different things. If you think about the time between classes at lockers, at lunch, getting settled into each classroom, getting ready to leave each classroom, moving in and out of groups or walking to/from computer labs within a class period, etc...actual "contact" time is significantly less than 7 hours.  That's why homeschoolers get their work done in less time--they don't have these physical, social, and mental transitions constantly!  

From reading what I've written above, you may think that I am a fan of homework--I'm not. My viewpoint is probably far less popular with BOTH teachers and students!  I do think homework should be "abolished", BUT I think the class day be extended by 10 minutes per academic class for students to do homework in class or silently read a book just for pleasure!  That way students who need help have the teacher right there--not all parents are available or capable of helping students. If students have 6 academic subjects, that is 1 hour more of being inside the school--which I think is more than enough homework for anyone for one night. Then students would finish their work in the school, teachers wouldn't have to listen to students moan about their homework or chase them to turn it in, and most importantly--those students who do not have a supportive home (for whatever reason) aren't penalized academically.

Should kids get a break now & then....absolutely!!  I've had kids come up to me and tell me they are going away for a family wedding, or when they have been sick with pneumonia for a few weeks--can some arrangement be made so they aren't overwhelmed, etc...OF COURSE they should get a break. They are still children--they won't get a break when they are in the workforce or even in college! They should get additional breaks over and above vacations, holidays, and other days off like teacher in-service days...but I firmly believe this is a special time for learning in every person's life. Learning is a gift and should be treated as such. Hopefully becomes a lifetime activity!!  

Adults should make sure to design a system where the resentments you have so eloquently shared aren't felt across the board with students.  I want you to know I respect your viewpoint.

Answer 8

Yes, homework is important. At school, there isnt always  enough time to learn all  what is being taught in a certain subject so the student needs to do some more at home.  It is also a way of helping the student remember what was taught in the previous day and in case you dont understand what the teacher has been teaching, your parents or someone at home can  help explain why or the student himself/herself   can find it on her/his own through research e.g. internet, encyclopedia and other sources..Homework teaches you to be resourceful/ imaginative.

Answer 9

Personally I don't like homework but I don't get a choice. No one really does. I have wondered the same question and have asked parents, teachers, students and principals alike on what their views are. The results were varied with some thinking it was important, other weren't sure and some didn't like it at all. Personally I can see benefits and downfalls to it.

Benefits:

- Gets them prepared for life (Allcollege and most work places need to do lots of work, including take home work, best to be prepared now so they can handle it)

- Teaches them some things they didn't get to in class

- Teaches them responsibility to get it done on time or in some cases to do it in class so they don't get homework or not so much

Downfalls:

- Takes time away from friends and family (although many parents work later nowdays)

- Could be learning more practical things they will need in life (such as how to shop properly, banking, saving etc...you'd be suprised how many people don't know these simple things!)

- People get frustrated and it makes them dislike school or make it even more so in some cases

Homework is not fun but it has benefits. I don't think it should be abolished, maybe tweaked a little. For example, why not make homework at least twice a week to go shopping or banking or do something that they will need in life? Still do schoolwork if they didn't do it in class but have more practical things to do!

Hope this help, sorry its so long!

Answer 10

Uhh... how about all the time you're not doing homework? I think that would qualify as a "break."

Answer 11

Homework is practicing the skills you learned in school.  The human brain takes repetition to remember how to complete a task and homework provides that repetition.  Homework also helps your teacher gauge how their students are doing in mastering each particular skill and that they are indeed ready to move on to the next lesson plan.

Same thing in video games that require you to reach a certain point before you are able to access more difficult levels or use a different item.  You need to have practiced with the easier items.

Answer 12

if you think you came here to be a simple mind

stop waisting my mind

I have at my disposal the smartest brains of all times