Saturday, June 2, 2007 - Comtemplating on: Its's the June holidays! :

Let us rejoice the arrival of our favourite time of the year- June holidays! It is a time for us to take a break from our heavy workloads at school and relax before restoring our energy for the challenges that await us next half of year 2007. For many students, this holiday also signals the time to hit on our textbooks! Perhaps it is a fine time to get started on our mountainous pile of homework and get the engine going with Project Work! (Well, I can almost hear myself groan at this point.) With so many things on hand, I believe it would be useful to draw up a revision schedule so that homework can be accomplished on time if we stick to the plan.

At some point in life, we may have wondered to ourselves whether daily homework is really necessary and whether it has benefited us in the past years. As a JC1 student myself, I believe that homework serves a purpose of ensuring that pupils are able to reflect on their own learning and are being self- evaluative about their progress in schoolwork. It also helps students to be self-reliant and independent young learners. Personally, I think that daily homework is necessary for pupils as it benefits and enriches them in various aspects.

Firstly, as homework requires concentration, it is important as it helps pupils achieve mastery of newly-acquired skills and knowledge. In my opinion, the phrase “Practice makes perfect” suggests that pupils can make use of their homework to revise on subjects like Mathematics, which requires sufficient practice in order to enhance thinking skills. By doing their homework, pupils can comprehend different topics better and simultaneously realise their weaknesses in certain areas. This allows them to be more proficient in languages and understand concepts in a different light. When pupils spend time doing assigned activities, they learn the necessary skills of independent study.

Following that, pupils learn to gauge their time management well when they do homework. For example, they keep track with assignments and are able to consolidate things taught in school. This promotes a wise and orderly use of time. By spending time to master basic learning taught before, it builds up pupils’ confidence in completely their assignments positively.

In addition, I think that homework acts as an invisible source of motivation, spurring pupils to work towards their fullest potential and challenging them to apply various concepts into several experimental applications. This actually inspires pupils to study exceptionally hard and aim for the best in themselves. Even pupils with lackadaisical attitudes toward their studies can also be given impetus to strive for excellence.

Furthermore, in my opinion, homework helps to instill self discipline in pupils. By completing their homework independently, pupils gain ideas on how to take control of many aspects of life even outside school. Therefore, homework provides a daily opportunity to help pupils succeed through their learning process.

On the other hand, research has shown that homework may too, cause stress in a person. Excessive homework can inflict pressure on pupils, which makes it difficult for them to cope with. With compulsory curriculum activities lined up for pupils in and out of school, many pupils hardly have the time to complete their homework. Homework is also believed to be intrusive on families. In many cases, both parents are in the workforce and wish to spend quality time with their offspring. Also, when examined closely, homework actually often requires the help of parents to be completed (especially for primary school pupils). Some pupils may be weaker in some subjects and thrust their homework into their parents’ arms.

Hence, proper use of homework can be of value to pupils’ academic and personal developments. They give pupils opportunities to show an interest in their school life and learning, which in turn builds up positive-thinking individuals. Indeed, a few pieces of homework a day is a small price to pay for high achievements in the long-run and life long useful skills.

To sum up, I strongly believe that the benefits of homework assignments far outweigh the negatives. Homework encourages independent in-depth study which enables pupils to think critically and creatively. As lessons in schools are merely transmittal of information, homework is essential for the pupils’ own understanding of the material covered in class.

[ I hope you have enjoyed this entry with my insights on homework. May you complete our June holiday homework with an open mind (don’t grumble!) and remember to spend some time with your loved ones (friends AND family) to catch up on things you have missed! Happy holidays everyone! ]

The future ain't what it used to be. hugged teddy at 11:03 PM