Something we (Sadly) Need
By Leah Maitland
After a 75 minute class, laden with new information, concepts, and activities, oftentimes the last thing students want to hear is that there is homework for the night. Homework has never been a new concept, stemming sometimes back from elementary school and becoming more often assigned as the years fly by. Though students may despise homework, it is in fact needed for students to fully understand a given subject, in order to best help their chances of receiving higher marks in a class.
When it comes to learning a subject, there are two main parts of one’s memory that come into play: short term memory, and long term memory. Short term memory can be jogged through being initially taught something in class, through cramming a textbook, or through taking notes. It is only until one pushes their short term memory further does the concept actually stick in the long term. Often, to push the subject to long term memory, more use of the subject itself is required. This can be cemented by teaching a concept to someone else, or by using the concept enough times that it sticks. In this case, homework can come in to push a learned subject further, allowing the student to remember the concept taught to them over long amounts of time.
Students also may realize that while homework may not be fun, it does make sense when considering a lesson many were taught from a young age: Practice makes perfect. While the statement itself may be slightly inaccurate, considering nobody is truly perfect, the early part still rings true. When learning a new skill, be it shooting a basketball or playing a new instrument, one must continuously practice in order to get better. In class, students are able to initially learn a subject and get answers from teachers on questions they may have. With homework, students then practice the concept on their own. It is much like riding a bike without training wheels. At first, one may get help from teachers or those who are guiding them, but it is then up to them to continue to improve and learn to do it on their own.
Even branching away from the subjects that assigned homework may be attempting to teach, homework is an important tool for teaching students how to best manage their time outside of class. With jobs, extracurriculars, and other family matters, sometimes getting homework done is not easy. Putting school as a priority and getting the homework done, despite how busy one may be, really testifies to their motivation to continue to learn and do well in school. On top of that, despite how hard it may seem to fit everything within the 24 hours of a day, students who do their homework are learning to take school seriously, even when they aren’t being policed by teachers, which will help students succeed in college when there aren’t constant reminders to get work done. This may also help then in the workforce, when one may need to focus on tasks in a busy outside environment. Overall, homework does force students to hold themselves accountable with their time.
Homework is not something that many people look forward to, being that it is by nature an extension of work outside of the ‘workplace’. However boring or tedious it may seem to do at the time, there are still many reasons why homework is important. Homework allows students to remember and practice new concepts, and also instills a sense of responsibility that will continue to serve students in the years to come.