What does homework mean?                          Â
Homework is a piece of assignment which a student is required to solve on a daily basis particularly at home. This concept of homework was first designed to allow students and children to study at home. However, now with the facilities like free access to libraries and bookstores it is not necessary to do it at home. Moreover, because of the mass usage and understanding of this word “homeworkâ€, “home†is not separated from “work†and it means the same in general scenarios even when the assignment or the work is not done at home. Therefore, homework re-enforces a child to understand and retain whatever is learned in class.
What is the purpose of homework?
- To revise the learning of classroom:
It becomes really difficult for students to remember whatever is learned in classroom. With so many subjects coming and along with practical classes and project work, a student’s mind becomes like a pressure cooker which could burst any moment. From learning formulas and theorems in Mathematics to studying and balancing chemical equations in Chemistry, a student’s mind seems to get jumbled up. So coming back home and doing a revision with a relaxed mind will allow students to learn and understand concepts more effectively. Things which enter with a cool mind cannot go with an occupied mind.
- To be able to be on track with the study load:
Study load is an issue which each student must have faced at least once in his or her academic career. So many subjects are taught to students at school from Science to Geography and Mathematics to English to name a few. Students get over whelmed with so many subjects and lose focus. However, if they are to come home and study these concepts they would be able to bein track with the study load or else they would be left really far behind.
- To be able to identify weak areas of study:
If students come home and practice a few math sums or solve science questions, they will get an idea of where they need to put more focus. This way it helps them to understand their weak areas and work upon them with more dedication and hard work. They would also get time for self-evaluation which is not possible in a class of 20 – 30 children. In a classroom setting students teacher ratio is not balanced in which the former outweighs the latter by a considerable number. Therefore, it is also difficult on the part of teachers to pay attention to each and every child’s weak areas or at least even identify their weak areas.
- To be prepared well before exams:
Consistency is vital in anything you do and so it is with studies. When a student does all his homework on a regular basis, then he is unknowingly preparing himself for tougher examinations and class tests. Such tests are held on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. This gives students the much-needed enthusiasm and confidence to put in more efforts and revise in advance before appearing for the tests. By doing these homeworks and assignments before time would also help children to refrain from the so called exam pressure or in extreme cases exam phobia.
- To learn planning and organizing skills:
Homework if done regularly would imbibedisciple and punctuality among students. They will be more organized in their approach towards study. This would also help them in planning next day’s schedule. Students and children will be more careful with their other evening activities and try to balance study and play in the most effective manner. These skills are useful for the long run as when students are to take real life challenges such skills will help them in decision making.
Types of Homework
- Written assignments:
Written assignment basically involves writing probable answers to questions. Every student is familiar with such a format of homework. A subject or a lesson is taught in class and few questions are required to be solved at home. Such assignments might also include learning of laws and theories at home which is difficult for students to concentrate when at school.
- Project work:
These are the detailed study of a particular chosen topic of either the student or the teacher. Project work not only focuses on theoretical aspects but also helps in bringing out the creative edge of students. Projects could be supported by pictures and drawings to get a more precise understanding. For project-work student can make use of theinternet to get information and pictures which would make their projects more appealing.
- Surveys and research:
This is the most fun part which every student enjoys. It allows students to consult their family, friends or neighbors and get an opinion about a topic. Then such opinions and responses gathered from them are compiled to form a conclusion. Through these activities a student learns interpersonal skills while interacting with people outside their comfort zone. Also, student finds such activities entertaining and gives them a break from the traditional and monotonous formats of homework.
Different perspectives on Homework
- Parent’s perspective on homework
Parents are not present in school, so they are unaware of what their children have done in school. Homework would allow parents to know about their child’s daily performance at school and would give them an opportunity to identify where the child is lagging so that they could put extra focus on such areas. While assisting kids with homework would help to create a bond between the two which helps them to get a better understanding of each other.This develops a healthy parent-child relationship. Children who look up to parents in almost all matters can now even look up to them in academic matters.
- Teacher’s perspective on homework
Teachers are considered to be second parents of children in school as teachers are the ones who guide students and make them individuals of tomorrow to face life’s challenges. However, it is not possible for teachers to give constant attention to a child’s classroom performance as they have many other roles to play. Thus by giving home works to students, teachers would know a child’s area of interest and where do they actually lack. It will help them to know how much the student has understood and grasped from their teachings. In this way teachers would also know where they could improve their teaching methods.
- Student’s perspective on homework
Having said the above, I would like to conclude by saying that although Home works are integral for the overall development of a child’s brain but this should not be a cause of concern or stress for the students. Many students feel stressed and pressurized when they think of home works. As such these should not come in way of play schedule of kids. Play time is also very important as it helps in relaxing the stressed brain and body muscles. Thus, home works should not interfere with a child’s play schedule and should be enforced only if the students are happy doing it. Therefore, there is no point in stressing kids because as per a common proverb they are becoming “Jack of all trades but master of noneâ€.