11/22/21, 12:17 PM Pros and cons of homework | Good Schools Guide

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4. Pros and cons of homework

Pros and cons of homework

Homework has long been a point of contention, with parents, teachers and education experts continually
debating the merits of take-home learning. We’ve taken a look at some key arguments to provide you with a
summary of the advantages and disadvantages of homework.

Pros
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Develops important study skills

From time management and organisation to self-motivation and independent learning, homework teaches
students a range of positive skills that they will carry with them throughout their academic and working lives.
Home learning motivates students to take responsibility for their workload, while also encouraging the
development of positive research practices.

Opportunity to consolidate classroom learning

Homework is at its most effective when it allows students to revise what they’ve learnt in class. Assigned
tasks that revisit what’s been taught during the day reinforces learnt knowledge and increases the likelihood of
students remembering key information. Homework can then help students apply these learnt skills to other
subjects and practical situations in their everyday lives.

Provides an indication of academic comprehension

Assigning learning tasks at home is a useful way for teachers to identify whether students are understanding
the curriculum. Teachers can analyse gaps in comprehension or information through homework, making it
easier for them to tailor their approach to each student’s needs – they can recognise students who need extra
support in certain learning areas, while also identifying children who may benefit from more complex learning
tasks.

Cons
Causes unnecessary stress

Simply uttering the word ‘homework’ can instil a sense of dread in students. When the workload is too large
and tasks become increasingly difficult, homework causes students to feel anxious, stressed and unmotivated.
This can lead to sleep deprivation and behavioural changes, while also ingraining homework as a negative
aspect of schooling life.

Takes away from leisure time

Free time allows children to not only relax, but also discover the world on their own terms – learning how to
ride a bike, reading books or interacting with friends and family teaches students useful skills that can’t be
learnt by sitting at a desk. Healthy levels of physical activity, which can help to boost cognitive function, can
also be impeded by sedentary time spent completing homework.

Not always effective

Plenty of studies have sought to analyse the value of homework and how it benefits academic performance.
Research by John Hattie, Professor of Education at the University of Melbourne, has found that homework in
primary school has an effect of around zero, as students are completing separate and unrelated projects rather
than reinforcing learnt knowledge. Hattie’s work has suggested that homework only becomes effective at the
primary and secondary levels when students are assigned learning tasks that ask them to revise taught
information.

Useful links:

Does homework still make sense?

What to do when your child's homework is too hard
Five tips for homework
The advantages and disadvantages of homework

Categories

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Education updates 58
Guest 52
Parental advice 60
School Performance 52
Student experience 18

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Does homework still make sense?

Five tips for homework

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