After a long day at school, the last thing students want to do is continue working, especially with extracurricular activities. In high school, where students have to wake up as early as 5:45 a.m., going to bed early is essential. However, with extracurricular activities, sports, and homework on top of that, an early bedtime is hard to achieve.
If you ask most high schoolers about the benefits of homework, most will say that “it’s a waste of time” or it’s simply “annoying,” but have you ever wondered what teachers thought about it? Do they think that homework is needed to solidify the material taught in class? Or do they think it’s counterproductive and has negative effects? After asking multiple educators their opinion, I received a wide range of answers.
Math teacher Mrs. Venusio stated: “I think homework can be helpful…sometimes teachers give out homework just to give something…that kind of work feels like a waste of time.”
Mrs. Maire, Social Studies department chair, voiced “I do think homework can be really valuable–especially when it helps students build background knowledge and context…I also make sure assignments can be done over a few days…so students can plan ahead and not feel overwhelmed…that said, homework should never be busy work.”
Mr. Yapor, a language teacher, claims, “I don’t give homework every day…most homework that I assign students starts at the end of class…My goal is to not add any unneeded stress at home.”
These opinions offer a new insight: in moderation, homework can not only be beneficial, but rather supportive in a helpful way to retain information. All three teachers discussed concerns about the social and emotional well-being of students. They try to give students ample time to complete assignments, allowing students to balance their academics and other activities and commitments. Despite these positives, they also highlighted the counterproductive “busy work” and how it takes away from student wellness. It is widely known that students’ mental health often decreases with a higher work load.
A commonly repeated middle ground in this topic are the words “in moderation.” Finding balance allows students to grow academically, without being overwhelmed or perplexed. Educators recognize that homework should reinforce lessons, rather than introduce new confusing topics. Homework allows students to develop organization and time management skills that are necessary in life. However, when it becomes excessive, it can be harmful for student development and cause major frustration. Overall, when used correctly, homework can promote good study habits, help solidify concepts, and increase student achievement.