Many scholars have suggested that Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope and it is on this bedrock that education has been able to bridge gaps in society and so its importance cannot be overemphasized.
Learning takes various forms and succeeds to create a wide range of enlightenment to minds of individuals engaged in this activity. Formal learning which goes on within the four walls of a building and even beyond with technological advancements such as e-learning employ homework as a form of learning reinforcement aimed at self-study, fill inadequacies of the classroom, help thorough assimilation of classroom lessons through practice. In essence home work assigned to students is geared towards improving learning but this cannot be achieved with assigning of students with loads of take home assignments.
Firstly, adopted methods of teaching in educational institutions should encourage less home work given to students to enhance skills of critical analysis. Observations have shown that with the burden of assignments there is inadequate time dedicated for sleep and rest as students try to meet up deadlines set for submission of such work. Proper sleep plays critical role in thinking and learning and if it is absent can results in low level of concentration, reasoning, attention etc. Sleep is very necessary for memory consolidation and so sleeping disorder can be detrimental to student’s wellbeing.
Secondly, most students engage in other extra curricula activities after school hours, some most especially in developing nations; they add economic activity to a day’s schedule to make ends meet. In such situations students can only be encouraged to appreciate learning through less load of homework. Environmental factors are also being considered in the assigning of home work. Of what use is take-home if the home environment is not conducive.
Thirdly, parents encourage the overburden on students in a bid to keep them occupied from playing whereas such can lead to general exhaustion and depression. With less home work, teachers are able to adequately relate with students and provide with necessary corrections for improvement so that knowledge can be properly utilized. Since education is learning that further improves ones overall wellbeing and eradicates poverty as stated by the millennium goals. Limited homework should be encouraged to further promote and enhance not just awareness knowledge but also application knowledge in the areas of vocational/skills training by students after school hours.
In conclusion, Students under take several number of subjects of which they are expected to master each course and therefore carryout every assignment given in this courses. The very fact that every course has its own expectations students are tired down with the burden of too many homework from all of these subjects. When given limited work in all they can be able to at least attempt all. Some have opined that home work polices only tend to reinforce behavior rather than understanding. Kohn (2006) in his work said ‘the best classroom not only are characterized by more thinking than remembering, they also have students doing much of the thinking. What can be done without thinking is usually done without thinking? This locks people into patterns and when understanding is absent the ability to use and apply skill is limited indeed’. Homework should not be about grades only but a means to facilitating learning relationship between the teacher, student and the course of study.
Reference
Kohn, A. (2006). The Homework Myth. Dacapo press. Retrieved from
http://www.alfirkohn.org/homework_improve-learning 2016Dec7th
http://www.alfickohn.org/students-really-needpracticehomework_2016/12/6
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss_2016/12/7
YOUNG CATHOLIC STUDENTS MOVEMENT, LAGOS ARCHDIOCESE 