Effects of homework on student learning

Homework has also been a matter of public and scientific concern throughout. Although the concept of homework has been present for a long time, the role that it plays in enhancing a student's achievement is not clearly understood.

Does homework help or hinder student learning? School board authorities have been struggling for long with this question as they are trying to implement policies that will support and enhance student learning.

Parents are usually seen worrying about too less or too much homework and teachers are criticised for both.

During the past decade, leading educationists have been saying that homework is essential to enhance students' educational standards. While others claim that homework helps students develop skills and responsibility and the ability to manage tasks.

Homework is beneficial as long as it is used as a tool for learning, motivation and as an opportunity to cope with academic benefits.

Homework may benefit students under certain conditions. Older students are seen to have more benefit than younger students. Homework can be a valuable learning experience for some. They are also said to have nonacademic benefits like helping students to build routines, develop skills and take responsibility.

According to research, homework can improve students' scores on class tests. On an average, students who did homework had higher unit test score than the students not doing homework.

Research also tell that students in the secondary and higher school saw more benefits with time spent on homework but for students at the elementary level, homework plays no significance at all.

This might be because younger students are more viable for distractions at home. Also, those students who are struggling in school require more time to complete homework simply for the fact that these kids find assignments more difficult.

Beyond academic achievement homework may have other benefits too.

Homeworks help students develop good study habits.

• It helps students understand that studying should occur at home as well.
• Assignments can inculcate traits of independent learning and responsibility.
• Also, homeworks give parents an opportunity to see the activities going on in school.

Negative effects of homework are:

• It could lead to boredom with schoolwork.
• Excess of homework can limit a students access to leisure activities.
• Parents can start pressuring their child.

Homework should be prescribed in a consistent way that it should give teachers some flexibility taking into account needs and circumstances of their students. Homework need not be the strategy that works for all children. Assignments can bring negative effect which might hamper a students' interest in learning. Homeworks assigned moderately can give certain benefits. Though it should not used as the sole and main strategy to improve students achievement.