Should homework be given to students?

As the institution of education continues to evolve, a debate as old as schooling itself still continues parents, teachers, and even students themselves. The question is, should homework be given to students? If so, what are the benefits of doing homework? Does it really help our children, or is it a relic of a bygone era that desperately needs change?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of homework and see if we can answer the question once and for all.

The drawbacks of homework

Many of those who believe homework should be banned point to the fact it eats into a child’s leisure hours or contributes to burnout for students - especially for those who undertake extracurricular activities such as music, drama or sports after a full day of schoolwork.

Others also note that with the rising mental health crisis among young people, which has seen nearly five times as many students report mental health concerns compared with a decade ago, abolishing or greatly reducing homework may be one of the solutions to alleviate the stress and help fight the epidemic. Clinical child psychologist, Dr. Nicole Beurkens, said in a recent interview, "Homework often sets up a dynamic of conflict between parents and children, which can take over the time they have to spend together on school days. Parents feel it is their duty to get kids to do their homework, and many will go to great lengths to accomplish this, even if it means sacrificing their relationship and precious time with the children in the evenings."

There’s no denying the importance of play to children. Dr. Denise Pope Clark, a professor at Stanford and author of two books about stress in school, says, "Kids need time for free, unstructured play every day. It's a protective factor for them. It's important for their future development.”

The benefits of doing homework

Despite this, homework also has its undeniable advantages. Many of these extend far beyond just increasing the time a child spends on a lesson and notably contribute to their personal development in and out of the classroom.

Independence and discipline

In contrast to their highly structured classroom hours, a child will do homework in their own time - in their own way. This helps to develop critical time management skills that will be essential to later studies and even in the workplace. Students typically also become more disciplined and organised, as they must rely on their own abilities and effort to complete homework in time.

Ultimately, these skills can develop into a greater sense of independence – something which is invaluable when it comes to future success.

Enhancement of education

Homework is a great way to reinforce the learning done in the classroom, allowing children to see their daily lessons from another perspective and keep the understanding fresh, even after they’ve left the classroom. When used properly, homework may also enhance the process of inquiry, and the conceptual understanding of any subject.

Essentially, homework can prevent students from going home and leaving all they’ve learned back at school. It shouldn’t be equal to another day at school, but a little reinforcement throughout the week can really help to solidify learning.

The importance of good quality homework

At SISD, we believe these advantages are essential to a child’s development at all levels of education. However, it’s also important to note that homework shouldn’t be done just for homework’s sake. Teachers at SISD develop homework in meaningful ways which allow for the advantages of building discipline and enhancing education, while also contributing to other areas of holistic development.

Our school educates students through the International Baccalaureate curriculum, from the IB Career-Related programme to the IB Diploma programme, emphasising the importance of connecting classroom learnings to the real world. Homework is an integral part of this process, as well as other projects that are taken home such as the Creativity, Activity, and Service projects. These give students enough time to work outside the classroom and help synthesise what they’ve learned.

In addition to core subjects, SISD offers two bilingual teaching programmes in English/German or French/German streams. As a result, students are also given bilingual reading and vocabulary tasks that are appropriate for their respective levels in each language.

The key to beneficial homework

There are many pros and cons of homework, but one specific part of the process is crucial to whether it is a beneficial exercise or an unnecessary added stressor for students – and that is feedback.

In Primary School, our students make use of a Learning Journal which helps teachers keep track of student learning as well as provide feedback and encouragement to students. Once in Secondary School, the focus of homework is for students to be able to consolidate their learning in the classroom.

At any time, if a student encounters difficulty with homework, they are encouraged to consult with their parents and teachers to receive help. That said, with the goal being student agency, parents shouldn’t be directly helping their children with homework but rather should ensure that they have a suitable, comfortable working environment.

Through this approach to homework, SISD ensures that students gain the greatest benefits from their time with us. However, we also recognise the potential disadvantages and always strive to give students appropriate leisure time by limiting the amount of homework they receive each week. In addition, as a boarding school, SISD offers a variety of elite facilities and opportunities for students which they’re encouraged to use outside of classroom hours, so that life isn’t just about learning for the curriculum’s sake. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about SISD, get in touch with us - or why not book a tour of the school to discover it for yourself?