Homework is a tool that teachers use to reinforce a student’s learning, and it comes in many forms depending on a teacher’s subject and instructional method. It is strongly utilized in the Howard County School System.
Nobody knows exactly who was the first person to introduce homework, but it gained popularity in Europe during the 19th century, and was brought to the United States in the 1800’s by Horace Mann, an American educational reformer and representative who took a trip to Germany and learned about their practice of homework. Mann loved this system so much that he made history by popularizing homework in the USA, and this decision laid the foundation for American education as it currently exists.
In the modern age, homework is a vital aspect of education in the USA, and although the main reason for its usage is that it strengthens a student’s understanding of lessons taught in the classroom, schools use it as well for its many other benefits, the most prominent of which are the ability to solve problems and the encouragement of classroom engagement.
“[Homework] forces a student to use the knowledge they were supposed to learn in class for a grade, increasing the number of students who will be attentive in class because of the motivation of better grades. [Other] benefits of homework are that it improves a student’s ability to problem solve through something different or remotely similar to what they are learning, which increases their thinking and evaluating skills,” sophomore Lucas Spangler disclosed.
Homework is beneficial in numerous ways and helps boost a student’s learning, but all these advantages aren’t without disadvantages, as homework’s major downside is that it sometimes causes students to experience stress.
“Homework is stressful when I don’t have enough time to finish it because it’s hard to manage time with a lot of work and sports,” freshman Isha Netla asserted.
Homework is an extremely important part of the American school system, having many educational benefits. However, the question remains, Is it really necessary?
Some students believe the necessity of assigning homework varies based on the class’s subject.
“I think the need for homework depends on the class. For math and science courses, the practice really helps to understand the material and you don’t really get it unless you practice. For other classes like history or geography, homework isn’t all that necessary,” senior Nathan Skinner commented.
Whereas, others consider homework an absolute necessity.
“Homework is necessary because no one voluntarily studies, so they need homework to learn properly and get things done,” junior Seth Park verbalized.
Finally, there are students who, on the contrary, see no purpose in homework.
“Homework isn’t extremely necessary because school is already six hours, and homework adds extra hours of work,” junior William Yi explained.
Homework is a system utilized by teachers in order to maximize their students’ learning, and regardless of what a student thinks about the usage of homework, HCPSS’s only goal is to mold their students into successful and informed adults, and homework is one step towards that goal.