As an English tutor in Melbourne, you are likely to have your own opinion about the purpose and benefits of homework. In fact, many educators believe that homework is an essential tool to bridge the gap between children’s learning at school and home. The common theory is that work completed from home will train students to manage their time wisely so they can plan out their study schedules.
Time management is a significant skill that students should have, especially when they are in their senior high school years, or already balancing the demands of school and work. Teaching your child to manage their time and finish their assignments by the due date will create good habits that will help them with their endeavours in the future.
For teachers and tutors, home work is an excellent tool to track their students’ progress, and they can quickly notice if their student is falling behind and needs more help. It may also help students develop their character, especially their diligence and responsibility.
Disadvantages of homework
Despite the many advantages of homework, many educators believe that homework takes up valuable rest and recovery time. In fact, they believe that school is a socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically enduring task for students, and many of them are exhausted after school. When students spend a lot of time with their assignments at home, they miss out on socialising, family bonding, and other extracurricular activities which are important for work life balance.
Students in years 11 and 12 will often find it challenging to complete work at home and part-time work. It may even cause severe stress for some students because finishing their homework may lead to sleep deprivation issues.
When homework no longer benefits students
Home work can be categorised as a burden when your child cannot manage his or her time wisely, so they need to plan their time and follow their schedules carefully. Although students may not be able to implement their schedules when the homework is too challenging, they may even get frustrated and give up before they finish their homework.
English teachers should customise work expectations of their students based on their age bracket and individual learning needs. For age 10, it’s recommended to use visual media like a video reference on all the topics included in the homework. This can engage students and help them revisit the skills and understanding needed to complete their work.
For students ages 13 and up, it’s essential to provide assignments that are more focused on their current knowledge and skills so it will be easier for them to understand and complete it. Teachers should not introduce too many concepts at once because this will hinder their students’ learning phase.
Motivating students both in class and at home
To motivate students to do their tasks, teachers must design well-balanced assignments and figure out methods that will encourage immediate feedback. Teachers who are working with high school students can also use homework to encourage learning, reflection, and time management skills. For example, the set tasks might involve reading, creating a second draft of an essay, watching a video, or reflecting on certain topics they recently tackled in the classroom.
Overall, a relevant, engaging, and age-appropriate home work will boost learning and may even instil good study habits.