As much as no proof that doing homework improves the students’ all-around academic performance, no evidence suggests that not doing homework helps the students in any way.
Between doing homework and playing video games, no science suggests that one is beneficial than the other; however, there are proofs that homework helps students understand concepts better. And for this, most people will choose the homework option; therefore, as educators, we have no choice but to develop ways to make homework better since we can’t eliminate homework.
To make homework better, consider doing the following;
- Stop Grading It
The main purpose of homework is to reinforce the concepts taught in class and to teach responsibility. Therefore, grading should be optional because grading homework suggests more to it than just teaching responsibility. There is a constant struggle among students to score the highest grade and not necessarily show that they understood the concept or applied a different one.
- Tell Them “The Why” They Are Doing It
Many students still don’t understand why they are getting homework every day and spending several hours after school to get them done. There are better reasons than “I have to get you ready for Middle school, high school, or college,” and it is high time teachers began to help their students see why homework is an important part of learning.
- Make It Authentic
Instead of having your students complete a packet on global warming, you can give them a real task capable of making a difference in their immediate environment. The more authentic the homework looks, the more excited and involved the kids are about it.
- Use Technology To Your Advantage
In 2020, several technologies, such as homework help website Do My Homework 123, software, and tools, assist students in their homework. These technologies make the entire process faster and more efficient; therefore, introduce your students to these techniques because their knowledge of these technologies helps them in other aspects of their lives.
- Class Discussions
Copying facts verbatim from a textbook is painfully boring and doesn’t encourage retentive memory. Letting your students debate the facts of the first world war and how it led to the second world war and subsequent wars is interactive and a way to involve every member of the class; it also interesting and fulfilling. With this strategy, every student is involved in the fact-finding process, and during the discussion or debates, they get to defend their opinions and findings passionately.
- Include Observations
Math problems and grammar drills are good when given as homework, but including physical and mental observation in the assignment you give your student is more helpful. Instead of providing abstract and imaginary problems, let the students experience real-life issues and proffer solutions from what they have experienced. Encouraging students to engage in observation will not only make the concepts they are learning more real, but they will also learn to be curious about the world they live in.
- Provide feedback
If you plan to assign homework, feedback is important. Students want to know how they have done on an assignment after spending hours working on it. Teachers should spend time to look at their assignments and give feedback so the students can improve.