Should We Ban Homework? Homework Debate For Teachers

Summary

In this engaging My-Progression debate, the topic of homework is explored from multiple angles. The discussion highlights the benefits of homework, including reinforcing learning, promoting parental involvement, and developing essential skills like time management and self-discipline. However, it also addresses significant concerns, such as the stress it places on students and families, the disparities in support at home, and the questionable impact on academic performance. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to homework that meets the diverse needs of students while enhancing their educational experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Homework is defined as work assigned to students to be completed outside of classroom hours, starting from an early age.
• 📚 The government previously recommended 2.5 hours of homework for secondary students, but this guideline was removed in 2012, allowing schools to decide their own policies.
• 👍 Proponents argue that homework reinforces classroom learning and helps students practice and apply their knowledge.
• 👩‍🏫 Homework can serve as an assessment tool for teachers, providing insights into students' understanding and learning needs.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents can gain valuable insights into their child's education through homework, fostering communication and involvement.
• 🌟 Homework is believed to help develop essential skills such as time management, self-learning, and resilience, which are vital for academic success.
• 😓 Critics argue that homework can create an unnecessarily long day for students, impacting their free time and mental well-being.
• ⚖️ The unequal support students receive at home can lead to disparities in homework completion and performance, highlighting social inequities.
• ❓ There is limited evidence linking homework to improved academic attainment, raising questions about its effectiveness.
• 📝 Effective homework should be relevant, manageable, and designed to set students up for success, considering their unique circumstances.

Q & A

What is the primary topic discussed in the My-Progression debate?

The primary topic is homework, specifically whether it should be assigned, how much should be expected from students, and at what age it should start.

What historical guidance did the government provide regarding homework in secondary schools?

Historically, the government advised that secondary school children should do two and a half hours of homework per night, but this guidance was scrapped in 2012.

What are some benefits of assigning homework mentioned in the debate?

Benefits include reinforcing classroom learning, enabling parental involvement, assessing student understanding, and developing essential skills like time management and independence.

How can homework create inequity among students?

Homework can highlight disparities in home support, as some students may have parents who can assist them while others do not, leading to a widening achievement gap.

What concerns do parents have regarding homework?

Parents report that homework can be stressful, time-consuming, and may interfere with quality time spent with their children, especially for busy working families.

What did the debate suggest about the effectiveness of homework on academic achievement?

The debate noted that there is little evidence supporting the impact of homework on academic attainment, raising questions about its necessity.

What are some strategies proposed for effective homework assignments?

Strategies include ensuring relevance to lessons, providing clear instructions, considering student workload, and allowing project-based assignments with student choices.

How can teachers gauge the success of homework assignments?

Teachers can assess the understanding of students through the quality of homework completed and may use data from online homework programs to identify learning issues.

What was the shift in Ofsted's approach to homework assessments?

Ofsted shifted from placing significant emphasis on homework to allowing individual schools to determine what is age-appropriate, with inspectors not assessing homework during inspections.

What is the overall conclusion of the debate regarding homework?

The conclusion is that while homework has potential benefits for reinforcing learning, it also presents challenges that need to be thoughtfully addressed to maximize student learning.