Homework is routine in just about every child’s educational experiences. Educators will tell you that homework promotes positive study routines and habits. This is true for the most part, but it leaves out a vital component needed for success, a homework loving learner. Unfortunately, a love for homework is not often the case. So why do kids hate homework and what can we do to change it?
The Hate for Homework
If a group of parents were to come together and talk about why their children profess to hate homework, likely there would be quite a few similar responses. Acknowledging that there are always a few wild ones thrown in, odds are some combination of the following reasons would be presented.
1. Homework is Boring!
Every child will tell you that their homework is boring and pointless. Homework is exactly what they already did all day long. Tedious, meaningless, and mind-numbing.
2. Homework takes up all my time!
Every parent with a school aged child can attest to the protestations of their offspring and the lamenting for time lost. No friends can come over, games cannot be played, and sleep is either delayed or interrupted early to finish the homework off.
3. Homework is too stressful!
Students will cry that they have so much homework that they do not sleep properly. Sleep deprivation ruins any chances of good grades. Stress ruins sleep. Stress and a lack of sleep open the body up to illness. Students fearing a good shaming by their teacher will be stressed and could push themselves too far.
Likely there is a healthy dose of truth in the homework dramatics students will happily perform. So how do we make homework suck less? Often the key to investing in something is to feel a connection to it and the best way to connect with children today is through technology.
Technology to the Rescue
The Internet provides a forum for connectivity to occur, not only in our homes and local communities, but across the nations and around the world. Teachers can enjoy the opportunities this global communication and information platform provides their students. Exceptional teachers use educational technology to connect with their students. Inventive teachers use intuitive curriculums with technology, giving their students the benefits achieved by learning outside of the classroom.
Recently, TechieStuffs posted an article about how technological advances were changing the lives of students today. Teachers need to work with advances in educational technology to connect the curriculum with the lives of students and their families. What better place to start than with homework!
Lending Homework a Helping Hand
There are many ways teachers can use technology to remove the boring, stressful, time-consuming nature of homework. By using educational technology to spice up homework, teachers will create enthusiastic students who are more interested and connected to the curriculum.
Google Docs
Numerous students work on one document simultaneously, helping to make their homework trouble-free. Google Docs connects with Gmail accounts so students can move around, going from the classroom to their home, or a local library while still being able to access their school work. Class notes, projects, important papers, and homework started on any laptop, or computer is accessible, as well as the ability to work with their friends in real time.
Moodle
Moodle is an effective learning resource, allowing students and teachers to interact outside class. Teachers can post class and supplemental material that is accessible to each and every student in the course. This stage offers students the chance to speak directly with their teacher. Moodle is a learning platform providing teachers, administrators and learners with a distinct, unified system for custom-made learning.
E-Planners
Eplanner solutions permit parents to view their child’s assignments and other pertinent information. This includes current homework assignments, school materials, news and upcoming events, viewable on any web supported device. Communication between teachers and parents is now enhanced with a daily calendar, tailored to a student’s exact schedule. Students and parents will know what their daily homework entails for each subject every day.
Don’t let the Classroom Walls Decide where Students are learning.
Homework is a chance to learn at home while also enforcing lessons learned throughout the school day. Teachers, family members, and the curriculum itself are essential to promote the benefits of homework. Strong school-home relationships guarantee students have the support they need to achieve success
