Journal 6: Article - Ten Reasons to Get Rid of Homework (and Five Alternatives)

Spencer, J. (2011, September 19). Ten reasons to get rid of homework (and five alternatives) . Retrieved from http://www.educationrethink.com/2011/09/ten-reasons-to-get-rid-of-homework-and.html

  

According to the author of the article, he believes that homework is not necessary for students to learn and in fact hinders their ability to function in the classroom. Apparently, the students already get enough work to do in school and do not need to be occupied with school work when they get home. Children need to be able to be active and play when they get home rather than be stuck inside studying. Also, the author also believes that some students do not have a stable working environment when they get him, he considers this systemic injustice. Homework also serves to demotivate students from school work as it seems more of a chore than learning. Some parents might also be too busy to help their children with their homework. I believe that the author has some good points in his argument for students not having to do homework, however, I also think that some practice at home is also necessary. If excessive homework is not a necessary work load for students, it would also be possible to provide students with two or three, math problems for example, rather than ten or fifteen.

Alternatives to homework:

1. Have students browse the web on a topic they are interested in, does not need to be specific. If they search the internet for a topic they like, such as WW2 for example, then they will be actively learning at their own pace.

2. Students could go to a museum to learn about a topic they are interested in.

In defense of homework:

1.  Students need to have at least a little bit of homework so they can practice and still not be overwhelmed.

2. Students get homework but only do what they understand and if they don't complete something because of it then they should ask quesitons the net day in class.

3. Students get homework of only material that has been covered in class, otherwise they will just waste time trying to do something that has not been taught to them yet.