Homework has been part of the school experience for generations, but have you ever wondered where it all started?
The idea of giving students work to do at home dates back to ancient times. In fact, it is debatable, but some credited a 19th-century Italian educator named Roberto Nevilis for formalising homework as we know it today. He believed students needed extra practice outside the classroom to truly grasp what they were being taught.
Over time, the practice spread across different parts of the world, including Nigeria, where it became part of our educational system. From jotting down assignments in exercise books to researching with smartphones and textbooks, homework continues to be a tool teachers use to help students grow. But is it still relevant today?
In this article, we’ll explore eight key reasons why homeworks still matter in teaching and learning, especially in the Nigerian context, and why striking a balance is more important now than ever.
Table of Contents
8 Reasons Why Homework/Assignment is Relevant to Teaching and Learning
1. Reinforces Learning
Homework helps students reinforce what they’ve learned in class. It is just like practice after football training; if you don’t keep at it, you might forget the moves. Regular homework sharpens your memory, boosts your confidence, and helps you perform better in tests.
2. Develops Time Management and Organisation Skills
Let’s be honest, juggling school, chores, and assignments is not easy. With homeworks however, students gradually learn how to plan, manage their time, and stay organised. These are life skills that pay off far beyond the school gates.
3. Promotes Independent Learning
At some point, everyone has to learn to stand on their own. Homework encourages students to think for themselves, look for answers, and solve problems without always relying on teachers or friends. This builds confidence and prepares them for higher education or the workplace.
4. Assesses Comprehension
Teachers don’t have eyes at the back of their heads, so they can’t always tell who’s actually understanding what is being taught and who isn’t. Performance in assignments gives them clues about which students need extra help or a different mode of teaching.
5. Fosters Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Some assignments are not just about copying notes. They make students think deeper, analyse, and apply what they’ve learned in new ways. That’s how critical thinking and problem-solving skills begin to grow.
6. Prepares Students For Future Topics
Homework acts as a stepping stone. It connects what students learned before with what they’re about to learn next. That way, they don’t get lost when new topics come up. It is like linking the new topic to the foundational knowledge they alreay have.
7. Develops Self-Direction and Responsibility
When students get used to handling homework on their own, they learn to take charge of their education. It teaches them responsibility and discipline. These are traits that are useful in every part of life.
8. Enhances Student Achievement
With consistent practice, students build mastery over time. Research shows that homework (when done right) can help students close learning gaps, improve their grades, and even outperform their peers.
Drawbacks of Excessive Homework
While homework has plenty of benefits, too much of it can cause problems, especially here in Nigeria where students face a range of challenges:
1. Overwhelm and Stress
When the load is too heavy, students can feel tired and burnt out. Instead of helping them learn better, it just adds more pressure.
2. Limits Playtime and Creativity
Children need time to play, explore, and be creative. Excessive homework can take away these privileges, which are some of the most important parts of growing up.
3. May Not be Effective for All Students
Some students, especially younger ones, learn better through hands-on or play-based methods than through endless worksheets.
4. Inequitable Access
Not all students have the same resources and opportunities; some don’t have light at night, data, or even textbooks. Heavy homework loads can make the gap between rich and poor even wider.
A Balanced Approach
To get the best out of homework, it’s important to strike a balance:
1. Meaningful and Engaging Homework
Assignments should be connected to what’s being taught at the time. They should also spark interest, curiosity and deepen understanding.
2. Age-Appropriate
What works for a JSS1 student might not suit a Primary 3 pupil. Teachers should consider the age and ability of each learner.
3. Moderation is Key
Too much of anything is bad. Homework should be given in moderation, so students have time for rest, hobbies, and family.
4. Feedback and Support
Students need encouragement. Teachers should go over assignments, explain mistakes, and guide students through tough spots.
5. Enough Completion Time
Teacher should be flexible and allow students enough time to make their research about some complicated homeworks. Appropriate submission deadline should be considered for certain types of homework, and possible extension of the submission date would help create a balance.
The Nigerian Context
Here in Nigeria, there are some unique, but complicated challenges that affect how homework works:
1. Large Class Sizes
Teachers handling 60+ students per class may not have time to review every assignment properly.
2. Limited Resources
Some students don’t have textbooks, writing materials, data subscriptions, the internet accessible devices, or even stable electricity to do their homework.
3. Socio-Economic Factors
In homes where children have to hawk goods or do chores after school, finding time to do homework is truly tough and tasking.
4. Cultural Values
Nigerian culture places a high value on hard work and discipline, which supports the idea of homework, but we must ensure it’s done wisely and not just for the sake of it.
Final Thoughts
In the end, when homework is handled with wisdom and with the students in mind, it becomes more than just schoolwork, but a bridge linking hardwork to success.
Homework has its roots in tradition, but it still holds value today, especially when used with care. For Nigerian students, it can reinforce learning, build life skills, and boost academic performance. But we must be careful not to overdo it.
A balanced approach that considers students’ realities, offers support, and promotes meaningful learning is the way forward.
Read also: Rethinking Discipline: A New Approach To Classroom Management
