The concept of homework is a highly debatable one to say the least, amongst students, teachers and parents alike. Perspectives differ and emotions arise whenever the topic sips through casual or professional conversations. But, who invented homework, and why? It is believed by some that Roberto Nevilis, an Italian teacher, invented the concept of homework in 1905, with the purpose to punish students who were lazy or disobedient to their teachers. Others attribute this ‘invention’ to Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a German philosopher, who came up with the idea of homework as a way to show the state’s power even during personal time. More than 100 years later, we still assign homework, but with the purpose of reinforcing students’ understandings, or so we say. So, if the reasoning behind assigning homework is different than the one in 1905, why do most kids still feel like they are being punished and they have no personal time to enjoy other pursuits? How can we promote amongst our children the same concept of work-life balance, we, as adults, attempt to achieve?
Our 21st century children are the Generation Alpha. They are defined by new family structures, mixed race and ethnicity, globalisation and the ever rapidly changing world of technology. They are also the first generation to experience a global pandemic at an early age. Take a moment and think about how this lifestyle might be different from the one back in 1905……..So then, how is homework going to reflect these centurial changes??? And more importantly, what is the purpose of homework in 2023? Reinforcing concepts learned at school and building independence seem to be the main reasons teachers assign homework and parents ask for it. Could it be that in 2023, the only way to reinforce such learning is through homework? Students learn best when learning done at school (academic, social and emotional) is being applied outside the school in real-life situations. This is the most authentic and meaningful way to reinforce concepts learned at school, and to monitor how that learning is being implemented independently.
In a century when artificial intelligence is used to solve equations and write essays, what type of homework , I mean home learning, do we need to assign to ensure our children find it meaningful and helpful for their further growth? Would it be sheets of mathematical computations or random spelling lists, or would it be assignments that require critical thinking and creativity? Alfie Kohn, a well-known researcher and critic of homework says that some people believe “kids are like vending machines-put in an assignment, get out learning”. In his book The Homework Myth, Kohn discusses the lack of evidence that homework is an effective learning tool. He goes further into saying that homework is “the greatest single extinguisher of children’s curiosity that we have yet invented”.
Just a perspective……
by Mihaela Morello
