Pros
The advantages of homework are that they give students time to master the materials and to pursue essential learning such as reading books that would consume copious amounts of classtime. Homework can also cultivate independence, research, time management, planning and prioritization skills. There is also a sense that it builds character such as the discipline to complete tasks that you don't want to do. The following are possible benefits of homework.Cultivating study skills | Creating a sense of responsibility for learning |
Building independent learning skills | Building research skills |
Mastering a talent such as an instrument | Cultivating the ability to focus alone |
Building study habits | Promotes self-discipline |
Exercising critical thinking skills | Reading at home is critical to learning |
Developing composition skills | Developing writing skills |
Gaining experience with time management and personal productivity | Preparing for class |
Freedom in learning such as independent research assignments | Building a work ethic |
Exercising problem solving skills | Applying materials learned in class |
Creating a sense of self-reliance | Integrating learning from multiple lessons |
Engages parents in learning | Gaining experience with deadlines and priorities |
Helps teachers to determine student progress | Reinforcing learning with spaced practice |
Cultivates planning and organization skills | Makes productive use of time that might be spent watching TV or playing video games |
Cons
Homework can consume a great deal of time and can completely transform the childhood experience from one of freedom and play to focus and responsibility. It is typically unpopular with students and often criticized by parents as well. This is particularly the case where homework is burdensome and perceived as low value. Some parents additionally feel that homework represents a transfer of instruction responsibility from teachers to parents. In a broader social sense, homework is a concern where it gives students advantages and disadvantages based on their home environment, level of parental support for homework and life burdens such as responsibilities or challenges at home. The following are potential disadvantages of homework.Gives some students an advantage based on home environment. | The argument that homework shifts work of teaching to parents. |
Homework burdens that create a dislike or aversion to learning. | Unimaginative homework assignments that crush a love of learning. |
May leave students behind who don’t or can’t complete homework assignments. | Gives some students an advantage based on parental support for homework. |
Consumes valuable afterschool socialization time. | Makes students stressed out or tired. |
Consumes time that could be used for extracurricular activities and other diverse interests. | Reduces time for sleep. |
A source of conflict between parents and children. | Potentially leads to negative views of learning, school and education. |
Ineffective or irrelevant homework that is just busywork. | A burden for students who have other responsibilities or challenges. |
Unfair group work situations such as work that gets shifted to one student to complete. | Lack of support where a student doesn’t understand an assignment or problem. |
Takes away critical time for play. | Detracts from the childhood experience. |
Takes away time for exercise and playing outdoors. | Represents an attempt to structure and systematize every moment of life or every aspect of learning. |
Online homework that increases screen time. |
