When did homework start or who invented homework? Are you aware of these questions asked by students especially who are bored with homework during holidays? The purpose of the homework is to help students practice the materials already done in class so as to reinforce learning in order to score well.But most of the students seem to get bored of homework since it causes repetition of the lesson taught in class.
Homework is considered to be an essential part of education that ensures the students have fully understood the subjects taught especially for the older students. It also helps teachers evaluate their students throughout the year apart from examinations. When did homework start have a clear answer which spans for centuries and controversy are still on.
When did homework start?
The history of homework actually goes back to the year 1095 where Roberto Nevilisfrom the city of Italy is being credited as the first teacher to assign homework. It was roughly the same time when theformal educational system had started and Nevilis wanted all his students to embrace the meaning of lesson. Thus, in order to fully understand the lessons, homework became an established part of the formal educational system.
Brief history of homework
Homework is the task assigned by the school teachers to the students which are to be done at home or non-schooling hours although it is often done during free time in school. The mind was viewed as a muscle that could strengthen through mental exercise. And since homework can be done at home, it was viewed ideal for the mental exercise, especially for a growing child. Here is actually a clear answer of the question—when did homework start?
- 1940:
After a number of debates on homework finally during the 1940s, the educational debate shifted their emphasis to reform it making the homework more creative instead of abolishing it as it was closely associated with the repetition of materials.
- 1950:
In the 1950s educators and parents were concerned that homework left children unprepared for new technologies like electronics. But finally, it leaped back into favor since it could increase knowledge acquisitions.
- 1960:
During this time, parents believed that though homework was necessary, it was actually crowding out creative activities, social experience, and outdoor activities among children. And thus, homework was reformed to make it creative.
- 1980:
Two decades later, homework again leaped back into favor since it was viewed as a way tostem a rising tide of mediocrity and the rise for more homework continued till 1990s along with anincrease in academic standards.
- After 90s:
As the century ended it again led to the controversy concerning parents about assigning too much homework leading to stress in their children.
Effects of homework
When did homework start is not the main question anymore rather it is the controversy of what effects homework has on the children and how much of it is effective. Since everything has a good and a bad side, homework also has both positive and negative effects on the children and their lives. Few areas follows:
Positive effects of homework:-
Homework can cause non-academic benefits for all students if not academic achievements.
- The most positive effect is that it can improve retention and understanding of academic materials thus improving study skills and attitudes towards school.
- It can also teach students that learning does not take place or needs to be done only inside school buildings.
The non-academic benefits include:
- Time management.
- On task management.
- Parent’s involvement in the school process.
- Appreciation and understanding the value of school success.
Negative effects of homework:-
Homework can cause negative effects as well.
- A bulk of homework can lead to boredom since it would require too much time after the schooling hours. This, in turn, stops students from leisure and community activities which also have educational value for important life skills.
- Due to a lot of homework children are stuck in their room with books and thus are not getting any physical exercise or playing time.Moreover, the involvement of parents in the homework can lead to confusions as the techniques would differ from that of the teachers’.
- Homework can eventually lead to behavioral changes including undesirable character traits since copying the assignments at the end time can promote cheating in later situations.
Dos and don’ts for parents
According to researches, parents’ involvement in the children’s assignments has both negative and positive effectsasper how they react to it. You can always be a support to your child helping them when they are in need. You can teach them about when did homework start and how it is helpful to them rather than interfering in their academic lives.
Some Dos includes:
- You can involve in your child’s homework as it can help speed up his/her learning and also increase the appreciation of education.
- You can also express positive attitudes about the value of success in schools and the benefits of completing homework.
- Provide support to your child’s interests and choices rather than pressurizing your own choice into them.
- Help your child by giving essential tips on how to do homework early and complete it in less time.
Some Don’ts includes:
- You should not interfere with the child’s learning since it may confuse the child since the techniques from the teachers can be different from yours.
- Regular or often meetings with teachers can lead your child to become more anxious rather than being enthusiastic for school and academic works.
- The students should be more active in doing the assigned work, not the parents. Do not just rush to complete your child’s homework, instead share your learning experiences with your child.
- Do not leave your child as their own, involve with them in order to help them when in need but do not interfere unnec
Finally, there is no need to know when homework started or who invented homework. If the right amount of homework is assigned and the students are doing well with their grades, all parents should put their efforts into supporting them.