Joseph Grech of the Malta Times has recently published an article on November 15, 2009 expressing the new concerns that have arisen over a student having too much homework. Grech has discovered with more homework being given to today's student, there has been a rise in plagiarism and parents completing a large majority of their child's work. Studies have shown while moderate amounts of work help further a child's education, the abundant amounts students are given today are showing counter productivity on a child's education. Student's with a high amount of homework are shown to have less time for sports, exercise, extra-curricular activities (which are highly encouraged to coincide with today’s schooling), communication with parents and relaxation time which has resulted in stress, unsociable behavior and obesity. Cathy Vatterott has published a book, Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs. This novel tells what every one of today's students want to hear:
1. Students should have homework they can complete without assistance. If they need help, the student should be able to obtain re-teaching or modified assignments.
2. A student's grade should not be put in jeopardy because of incomplete homework and should be given in-school or after-school homework support time if they cannot or will not complete the work at home.
3. A student's relaxation time and adequate sleep shall not be interrupted because of homework.
4. Parents should be able to excuse their child from homework they are too tired to finish or do not understand
5. Families should receive homework free weekends and holidays
If you are feeling overwhelmed with homework and agree with Cathy Vatterott, maybe we should all rethink today's education system and the educational process.
Original Article:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091115/education/counterproductive-homework
1. Students should have homework they can complete without assistance. If they need help, the student should be able to obtain re-teaching or modified assignments.
2. A student's grade should not be put in jeopardy because of incomplete homework and should be given in-school or after-school homework support time if they cannot or will not complete the work at home.
3. A student's relaxation time and adequate sleep shall not be interrupted because of homework.
4. Parents should be able to excuse their child from homework they are too tired to finish or do not understand
5. Families should receive homework free weekends and holidays
If you are feeling overwhelmed with homework and agree with Cathy Vatterott, maybe we should all rethink today's education system and the educational process.
Original Article:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091115/education/counterproductive-homework
I agree completely with this article. I think we as students are put under a lot of pressure from teachers, parents, and coaches. By not having homework it could reduce stress, and give us more time for activities outside of school.
ReplyDeleteI agree that high school students are some of the busiest people on the planet, but homework helps build a very important skill: time management. The bottom line is that high school students will make time for extra curriculars because they are fun. Having homework on top of those commitments teaches budding minds to balance their time.
ReplyDeleteOnce you get to college, no one will be looking over your shoulder, and you will find you have even more homework -- often more than you can realistically complete. That's when your high school time management practice makes perfect.
I agree too much weight is put strictly on homewrork...my German teacher has taken to a "homework log" that is turned in once a week with stuff you do to improve the use of the language. I like this method and I wish all teachers would do it.
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