What’s The Benefit Of Homework?
Beginning in elementary and middle school, teachers seem to love giving us homework. Most of that homework was paperwork, but now that we are in high school, most of our work is completed on the internet. While the type of homework may have changed, the fact of homework hasn’t. Teachers still seem to love giving homework, but is it really necessary?
We asked some Eastside students their thoughts regarding homework. An Eastside junior told us that she likes homework because it helps give her something to do. The frustration she feels isn’t related to the work or even to the teacher, but to her parents. She isn’t allowed to use the computer until a parent gives her the password. Her parents aren’t home until late, and she has a time limit as to how long she can use the computer.
“It can be frustrating,” she says. “I don’t have enough time to finish the work.”
An Eastside sophomore named Amarra argues that students shouldn’t have to do homework at all. She says that, without a teacher to help, homework can be confusing and difficult. For students feeling that way, it could be worthwhile to take advantage of opportunities like Tutor.com and after-school tutoring in the library.
Peter, another Eastside sophomore, agrees. He argues that students shouldn’t have homework because it hurts their grades. Some teachers might argue that student grades are only hurt if students don’t actually do their homework.
But not all teachers are fans of homework. Take English teacher Mrs. Sova. “I don’t like giving homework,” she says. “It’s easy to cheat and find loopholes.” Mrs. Sova only gives homework if its a class assignment that students didn’t finish so they can finish at home.
This approach may be sufficient for some classes, but it’s hard to imagine Honors or AP students succeeding without a regular homework load. Still, the “no homework” approach is one many students seem to rally behind. In fact, according to a recent survey of Eastside students, 85% of students think that their education wouldn’t be significantly hurt if they were no longer required to do homework.
What do you think? Can students go on to succeed in college without doing homework? Let us know in the comments below.
