Homework:is it really necessary?
The debate around holiday homework has ragedfor years and it’s a topic which divides teachers, parents and pupils alike.Recently, the discussion has been brought to the fore by a number of new freeand academy schools who have declared that they would not issue homework.
The increasing trend of primary and secondary school schools announcing they would banhomework only seemed to fuel the debate- it even made the Education Secretarysit-up and take notice.
Personally, my view is that homework is totallyunnecessary for primary school pupils and those in the first three years ofsecondary school education. However, I will concede that it is necessary whenstudents reach their crucial exam years.
At that stage – from year 10 andhigher – homework assignments serve a purpose they provide opportunities forstudents to develop valuable skills in independent research, academic citing,and the fundamental principles of academic honesty.
Ultimately each school, teacher and parent willdraw their own line in the sand when determining the correct age for pupils tobe given homework but discussions over homework should not stop there.
What must be asked is the valuehomework provides to students and, in my opinion, that debate should be basedupon three questions:
* Is that homework beneficial forthe student’s personal education goals?
* Will homework assignments helpto develop the student’s independent learning skills?
* How can educators guard againstplacing undue pressure on students and help parents support their child’slearning?
Today, league tables and examresults have created a mechanistic education system. Schools, pupils andteachers are too often focused on achieving scores and targets.
In my view, this underpinsthe homework debate, and it completely negates the truest goal of education,which is to inspire and nurture a student’s love for learning.
For parents, when it comes tohomework, there is a fine line between helping your children and doing the workfor them. Just as teachers should avoid placing unwarranted pressure on theirstudents, parents should appreciate that by doing the work for them, they arein fact hindering their child’s ability to think independently.
Homework becomes an exercise infutility if children aren’t allowed to take charge of their own learning.Instead, parents should put their efforts into providing an environment whichhelps to instill a real desire to learn.
As I have already stated, there will always betimes, such as exam preparation, when parents and teachers need to ensurestudents are studying at home. In my opinion, the true issue isn’t whetherstudents should work at home, it’s whether homework should be routinelyassigned?
If schools are teaching correctlyand engaging students, the majority of homework becomes irrelevant. Inmy experience, engaged students regardless of age will, on their owninitiative, actively seek to advance their knowledge and learning outside ofschool. In such cases the teacher and parent roles should then act to supportthis drive in whatever way they can.
In my own school (which I shouldmention is an international sixth-form boarding school), we try to useexperiential learning to engage and enthuse our students. We do this byproviding a dual program which sees students split their school time equallybetween academics and corresponding extra-curricular activities.
Frequently, students themselveswill take the lead in setting up extra-curricular activities outside of schoolhours.
Having taught in many kinds of schools in the UKand abroad, I can honestly say that no-other curriculum does more to encouragestudents to become actively involved in their own learning.
While I accept that not everyschool will have the luxury of adopting a co-curricular program to the extentwe have it’s an option I actively encourage them to try, and I believe itwould be more readily welcomed by their students.
Personally, I don’t think schoolsshould routinely issue students with homework. Ultimately, as a parent yourquestion shouldn’t be “why are schools giving so much homework?” but rather,“is this homework relevant, interesting and does it encourage independentthinking?”
ArticleSource: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10528112/Holiday-homework-is-it-really-necessary.html
ImageSource: http://cdn0.fiverrcdn.com/photos/165002/medium/homework.jpg?1290942444
VOCABULARY WORDS:
Rage (v.) ~ to spread or prevailforcefully
Underpin (v.) ~ to give supportto
Hinder (v.) ~ to obstruct ordelay progress
Irrelevant (adj.) ~ unrelated tothe matter being considered
Enthuse (v.) ~ to show or expressenthusiasm
Extra-curricular activity (n.) ~ educationalactivities not falling with the scope of the regular curriculum
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What is your opinion on homework?Do you think it’s important or not?
2. How can homework be helpful tostudents?
3. Do you think thatextra-curricular activities are helpful on the development of the students?How?
