It’s a debate that has been around for as long as homework has: is homework beneficial? Or is it simply a waste of time? On one side of the argument, you have people who say that homework is essential for learning and helps students retain information. On the other side, some people say that it is pointless and often doesn’t help students learn. So, what’s the truth? Let’s look at both sides of the argument and see what makes the most sense.

The purpose of homework is an essential topic in education, just like the benefits and drawbacks of any other subject. Additional home assignments have been shown to improve academic achievement in certain situations. Nevertheless, homework can also become a burden to teachers and students if not used effectively.

Homework VS No Homework Debate

There are many different opinions about homework. Some people believe that homework is an integral part of the learning process. What motivates them to think so? Homework advocates assert the following points:

1. It develops invaluable time management skills and responsibility.
2. Homework allows students to review and practice what they have learned in class. Moreover, homework supporters claim that extra assignments give parents a chance to be involved in their child’s education and see how they are progressing academically.
3. Additional tasks can help students get ready for upcoming lessons. For instance, in Math, productive struggle is one of the most effective strategies used to stimulate students’ metacognitive abilities. Assigning challenging problems can become a practical solution for this.
4. It gives students a chance to explore topics in more depth.

People who stand against homework claim that it is nothing more than busy work and does not help the students learn anything new. Some people say that homework is often assigned to students who already understand the material. It is simply a way for teachers to keep their students busy with unnecessary work.

In addition, some teachers use homework as a punishment for misbehavior in class. This is especially true in elementary schools, where homework is often used as a practical means to keep parents happy by showing them that their child is receiving extra work at home.

So, what’s the verdict? Is homework beneficial or not? Let’s continue our research by digging deeper into its main disadvantages.

Cons of Homework

Many students find homework to be a burden. That’s not surprising, as most children always seek ways to escape additional assignments. However, a vast percentage of tutors and teachers treat homework as nothing but an unnecessary waste of time. Why do they think so?

Case #1 It Often Leads to Cheating

When students are given homework, they are usually given a deadline by which it needs to be completed. This can often lead to cheating, as students try to find ways to finish their homework as quickly as possible without actually learning anything new from the assignments.

Case #2 Collecting and Correcting Homework

Checking the homework can take up a lot of time and become an additional headache for tutors. This is especially true in elementary schools, where the teachers often collect and correct homework. The process can take up a significant amount of time that could better serve for explaining new material or organizing an interactive learning session.

Case #3 Increasing Stress Levels for the Whole Family

Homework can often lead to increased stress levels for students and their families. It’s especially true when homework is not used effectively or when it is given as a punishment. In addition, numerous everyday life distractions get in the way and create tension between children and their parents.

Today, more and more tech-savvy tutors prefer investing in online interactive tools. However, there is an attractive solution that will surely make these processes more pleasurable. Say, for example, LiveBoard! In simpler terms, it’s a collaborative whiteboard that allows tutors and their students to connect online and work on any subject together in real-time. Due to the user-friendly interface, users can easily share documents, images, videos, and other files with their students while also providing instant feedback and assessment.

What’s more, you can use the built-in video conferencing feature to have face-to-face meetings with your students or colleagues. Being a GDPR, COPPA compliant – LiveBoard has all the capability of becoming a tutor’s ultimate solution. Are you wondering whether the platform can help tutors and teachers cope with homework dilemmas? Easy-peasy! Professionals using LiveBoard as a main interactive teaching tool claim that it has replaced the traditional homework with a more engaging one.

Developing Some Working Strategies

If you’re still not convinced whether homework is worth your time and effort, let’s explore some strategies that can make it more bearable.

Make homework fun by adding a creative twist to it!

Turning homework into a game or a competition can be an excellent way to make it more enjoyable for both students and their families.

It’s essential to encourage students to take breaks and not work on homework for more than two hours at a time. In addition, rewarding them for their efforts can go a long way in making homework more enjoyable.

Encourage learning beyond everyday lesson scopes and homework assignments.

Turn homework into an opportunity for students to explore their interests and learn about new topics. For instance, tutors can assign a task that requires students to research a case of their choice.

Moreover, try to focus on the process rather than the outcome. In other words, praise your students for their effort and hard work rather than their grades. This will encourage them to keep trying even if they don’t get the results they want right away.

So, is homework beneficial for students? The final answer is still not so clear-cut. Too much homework can have adverse effects, leading to students feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Whether or not homework is beneficial depends on the assignment manner and purposes. It can become a powerful tool if designed in accordance with each student’s studying needs and expectations.