Homework: Challenges and Strategies (PRABINA SHRESTHA)

 Homework: Challenges and Strategies

Prabina Shrestha

Department of English

Homework is typically defined as tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed outside of regular classroom hours, usually at home. These assignments are designed to enhance the learning process by providing opportunities for practice, review, and application of the material covered or learnt in class. Homework, when designed and implemented properly, is a valuable tool for reinforcing learning. 

Homework has been a deeply rooted feature of the primary and secondary education system for over a century. It has been in the headlines frequently and continues to be a topic of controversy, which claims that students and families are suffering under the burden of huge amounts of homeworks. Unfortunately, the research has produced mixed results so far, and more research is needed. It seems to be considered either all good or all bad. There’s no in-between. Nonetheless, there are some findings that can help to shape decisions about homework. What follows are the common reasons why students might copy homework:

 

1. Lack of Understanding

• Difficulty with Material: Students may not understand the homework materials and feel unable to complete it on their own.

• Insufficient Instruction: Inadequate classroom instructions or unclear homework guidelines can lead to confusion and copying.

2. Time Management Issues

• Procrastination: Students who procrastinate may find themselves with insufficient time to complete their homework and resort to copying.

• Over commitment: Balancing school classes and extracurricular activities can leave students with little time to complete assignments independently.

3. Pressure to Succeed

• High Expectations: Pressure from parents, teachers, or themselves to achieve high grades can drive students to copy to avoid failure.

• Fear of Consequences: Fear of getting a low grade or being reprimanded for incomplete homework can push students to copy.

4. Lack of Interest

• Boring Assignments: Students are more likely to copy if they find the homework unengaging or irrelevant to their interests.

• Perceived Busywork: If students view homework as busywork rather than a valuable learning tool, they may be less motivated to complete it honestly.

5. Peer Influence

• Social Pressure: Peer influence can play a significant role, with students copying homework to fit in or avoid being left out.

• Group Work Dynamics: In group assignments, uneven distribution of effort can lead some students to copy from more diligent peers.

6. Accessibility of Solutions

• Easy Access to Answers: With the internet and other resources, students can easily find and copy solutions to homework problems.

• Sharing Among Friends: Students may share answers with friends, either out of a sense of camaraderie or to help each other out.

7. Lack of Consequences

• Minimal Deterrents: If students believe they won’t get caught or face significant consequences, they may be more likely to copy.

• Ineffective Policies: Schools with lax policies on academic dishonesty may inadvertently encourage copying.

8. Personal Challenges

• Stress and Anxiety: Personal issues, such as stress, anxiety, or family problems, can impact a student's ability to complete homework independently.

• Health Issues: Physical or mental health issues can hinder a student’s capacity to focus on and complete homework assignments.

9. Load of assignments

      Regular assignments by teachers have proven a burden for the learners. Consequently, the students are compelled to copy the peer's works for on time completion.

By understanding the underlying causes of copying and addressing them through thoughtful strategies, educators can reduce the incidence of academic dishonesty and promote a culture of integrity and independent learning. Controlling copy homework can be a challenge, but there are several effective methods that can be implemented:

1.    Provide Clear Instructions

Ensure that homework assignments are well-explained and that students can understand the expectations.

2.    Offer Support

Provide additional help or resources for students struggling with the material and assignments.

3.    Foster Engagement: Design homework that is interesting, relevant and meaningful to students.

4.    Promote Time Management: Teach and encourage effective time management and organizational skills.

5.    Implement Fair Policies: Develop and enforce clear policies on academic honesty, ensuring consistent consequences for copying.

6.    Encourage Originality: Use assignments that require personal reflection,  critical thinking, and unique responses.

7.    Varied Assignments: Use a range of question types and formats (e.g., essays, projects, presentations) to reduce the likelihood of copying.

8.    Unique Questions: Create individualized questions or problems based on the same topic. This can involve changing numbers in mathsmatical  problems or using different scenarios in essay prompts.

9.    Classroom Discussion: Encourage students to discuss their homework in class. This can help you gauge their understanding and make it harder for students to pass off someone else's work as their own.

10.Regular Checks: Periodically review of  homework and assignments in class. This helps students realize that their work will be scrutinized and not just collected.

11.Collaborative Learning: Incorporate peer review or group work into assignments. This not only helps in controlling copying but also fosters collaborative skills.

12.Homework Routine: Provide homework on the basis of routine, possibly on alternative days or on priority basis.

13.Clear Policies: Establish and communicate a clear policy on academic integrity. Ensure that students understand the consequences of copying.

14.Parental Involvement: Engage parents by informing them of the importance of original work and asking them to supervise homework.

15.Reflection Questions: Include reflective questions or prompts that require personal input or thoughts, making it harder for students to copy effectively.

16.Support Resources: Provide additional support and resources for students who struggle, so they feel less inclined to copy due to frustration or lack of understanding.

By combining these strategies, we can create a more honest and engaged learning environment. It suggests that while homework can have benefits, especially in developing academic skills and responsibility, it is most effective when it is thoughtfully designed, purposeful, and appropriately tailored to the students' age and learning needs. Excessive homework, especially when it lacks clear educational value, can lead to negative outcomes, including stress, burnout, and inequities in education. Educators are encouraged to balance homework assignments with students' overall well-being and to consider alternative methods of reinforcing learning.