Growing up, the idea of homework confused me, although I hated it at times, I believe that it was extremely beneficial and still is. When homework is assigned to be relevant to the topic that is being learned in the class, it can be helpful to students that may be struggling.
I believe that there is a difference of assignment relevant homework as to busy work homework, that is being assigned just for students to do. In middle school and high school, I feel as if I was assigned a mix of both kinds of homework, but in college I feel like most of the assignments that I receive are relevant to the course that I am taking, and the content that we are learning.
Homework is beneficial for the fact that it helps to reinforce learning. This means that it provides students an opportunity to practice the concepts that learned in class earlier that day or throughout the week. For example, something like math homework helps students to master the equations and concepts of lessons that they may feel uneasy about. With this, it helps to provide and improve understanding and rentions.
Along with this, I believe that homework is beneficial because it can help students study for exams and improve study habits. Assigning study guides for homework, especially in subjects like history and science, forces students to go back and look at their notes and recall earlier information. This helps students to reteach themselves what has been taught in class, and truly master the contents.
Although I believe that homework is beneficial, I do not think that it is necessary in the lower grades like elementary school. I think that assigning homework in 1st and 2nd grade might not help the students like the teacher believes. Assigning creative activities or reading practices might be more beneficial. I do believe that assigning homework in middle school, high school, and even college can improve academic performance as long as it is assigned in moderate amounts. Too much homework would cause stress and burnout when given in inefficient amounts.
