Homework has been a part of most students’ academic lives for as long as they can remember. In recent years, however, there has been a growing trend of students questioning the usefulness and necessity of homework. Is homework really necessary for students to succeed in college? If so, what should be done to rethink homework for this year and beyond?
One of the main reasons students may feel as though homework is unnecessary is that they are not getting the benefit they hoped for. A study published in The Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who completed more homework were not any smarter than those who completed less homework. In fact, the study found that students who completed more homework were actually dumber on average. This suggests that, rather than providing students with an advantage in learning, homework may hinder their learning ability.
There are several reasons why homework may not be providing students with the benefits they are hoping for. One reason is that homework can be a time when students are focused less on their studies and more on completing assignments. This can make students feel overwhelmed and stressed, which is not conducive to learning. Additionally, homework can take up time that students could use to improve their skills and knowledge in other areas of their education. If students are not getting the most out of their academic experience, it may be time to rethink how homework is being implemented in schools.
There are a number of ways that schools could rethink homework. One way is to create different homework assignments more tailored to the individual student’s needs. This would allow students to focus on their studies without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Additionally, homework could be made optional for students who achieve a certain grade level. This will allow students to decide for themselves if they need to complete assignments. If homework is made optional, then there must be consequences for students who do not complete their homework.
This would ensure students are motivated to learn and improve their academic performance. Ultimately, suppose schools are going to rethink homework. In that case, finding ways to provide students with the benefits they are hoping for while avoiding the negative impacts on their education is important.
