by Lewis J Rhodes

Created on: March 29, 2009

There seems to be a perception amongst education authorities, parents, and some teachers that homework is an essential part of the educational process.

Homework serves two purposes; firstly, as a reinforcement to work completed in the classroom, and secondly, as extra time required to research or study a particular subject. This could be spelling, reading, or indeed preparation for a pending test or examination. Homework serves as extra mural time dedicated to a specific outcome. Homework is a not a necessary activity should none of the above apply!

Herein lies the issue. Often, very little thought is given to the function or purpose of a homework task. Homework is then set because parents and the system expect homework to be set. Unless the homework is an integral part of the learning process, it can have a negative influence on the learning experience of the child.

Children, as we as adults do, use all available faculties to grow and learn. Childhood is, or should be, a time when exposure to the joys and wonders of our world cross the path of developing minds in a way that gives the child a healthy and positive attitude towards the future. Perhaps a cliche, but childhood is a time for joy and experience. While realising the necessity to use homework as an extension of the learning process, it must not become the chore that takes or destroys from the experience of childhood.

All homework must have a targeted outcome which is followed up in a classroom. Homework as an isolated task is both soul destroying and useless. Homework should also encourage the development of specific skills. To make it a chore can only destroy any joy or progress resulting from the task. How many children hate the idea of reading for example? We have to ask the question why? Perhaps it was homework that caused this barrier, perhaps it was the resulting response of an overstressed parent that sent the child into a world where reading is a thankless task, only carried out for the benefit of overbearing and demanding adults.

Homework is not essential, but it can be beneficial! If homework is designed as a motivation to achieve a beneficial result, it can only be good. However, if homework is done because it has to be done, then serious questions need to be asked.

Homework as a means of reinforcing and extending the education of children, it is not a process followed because the educational authorities demand homework is part of the curriculum. Homework may be necessary, but it is necessary only if the subject matter allows the child the benefit of both eduactional growth and childhood enjoyment.

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