Amorah Schultze
The COVID-19 pandemic had most schools locked down until early August or September. Kids of all ages started to attend online classes and were assigned assignments each day.
Virtual learning has been an interesting experience for everyone. Now that most people are home for school some adults may think that students now have all the free time in the world. That is not the case and now kids are swimming in homework.
The COVID-19 pandemic had most schools locked down until early August or September. Kids of all ages started to attend online classes and were assigned assignments each day. Most teachers used to give one or two assignments a day, but now that kids are not in a classroom environment many have doubled the amount of assignments.
It must be stressful to teachers because they are not sure if the students are really learning the material. They give out many assignments to make sure that kids are actually comprehending the material. Teachers want their students to be able to fully understand the topics they are learning.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot more ways to understand what was being taught when students were actually at school. However, an excessive amount of assignments is not needed when it comes to online learning.
During a pandemic kids still have lives outside of school. They need to go outside or do something that makes them relaxed, but that doesn’t feel possible when assignments and tests are back to back.The average amount of hours that most high school students take to complete homework used to be two but now it can take over four hours.
Teachers should lessen the amount of assignments they give to students or make the Zoom calls shorter so there is more time to complete the work. In Zoom classes the teachers usually just explain what the students are supposed to do for the day. Although some students may get confused by the instructions, others may not feel the need to sit in the Zoom for over forty minutes when the teacher is talking. If they are let out early they have more freedom in what they are going to do in their free time.
Teachers can also give out less assignments. Giving out less assignments will relieve the students with their stress levels and let them focus more on the given assignments. Students may get distracted during an assignment because all they can think about is the other work they need to finish. In the end all of it is rushed and their work isn’t up to their full potential.
Studies show that homework also has an effect on children’s health. Stanford University conducted a test and found that the added stress to a person’s everyday life leads to constant headaches, sleep deprivation, weight loss, and stomach problems. It was also shown that on top of the overload of assignments students were also stressed with parents expectations, college, and extracurricular activities. All this leads to some abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress, which could potentially lead to severe health problems.
Lessening the amount of assignments will have a positive effect on a student’s everyday life and allows them to work to their full potential.
FAQs
Give the teacher specific examples of what “too much homework” looks like for your child. When you come up with a plan, suggest solutions and keep the focus on your child's struggles. Check in with the teacher after a few weeks to talk about whether the plan is working.
Why do teachers give out so much homework? ›
Often this is because a student is learning more rigorous material and has a more fully developed brain that benefits from the reinforcement that homework provides.
What is a negative response to having too much homework? ›
Too much homework can cause students to experience stress, anxiety, depression, physical ailments, and even cause lower test scores. How much homework is too much? The National PTA and the National Education Association agree that homework that takes longer than 10 minutes per grade period is excessive.
How do teachers feel about virtual learning? ›
Still, a substantial portion of educators seem on board with remote learning. Despite their well-documented struggles, about one in three teachers who'd done remote teaching this year said they would like to continue providing at least some remote instruction or had no preference.
Why shouldn't teachers give too much homework? ›
Students with too much homework have elevated stress levels.
Higher-achieving students — those who may have more homework — are at particular risk for stress-related health issues including sleep deprivation, weight loss, stomach problems and headaches.
Is it a good idea for teachers to stop giving homework? ›
Some educational experts suggest that there should be hours of homework in high school, some homework in middle school, and none in elementary school. Some call for the 10-minute rule. Others say that homework doesn't work at all. It's still fairly unstudied how achievement is impacted as a result of homework.
Does homework need to be banned? ›
Too Much Homework
The argument for why homework should be banned isn't about shirking responsibilities but rather about striking a balance. When the load becomes overwhelming, it can lead to stress, burnout, and a loss of the joy of learning.
Why do teachers hate gum? ›
Some believe that gum chewing should be prohibited because it can impede the learning process. They contend that gum chewing can be noisy and distracting to other students and that students who stick their stale gum on classroom furniture cause an unsightly mess.
Are schools giving too much homework? ›
According to research on the effects of homework, over two hours of homework a night can harm students' stress levels and create a lack of balance in their lives.
How much homework are teachers allowed to give? ›
Older children, in grades 3-6, can handle 30-60 minutes a day. For kids in middle and high school, 2 hours of homework may be assigned.
Approach them before or after class and tell them they're making you uncomfortable. Be specific about what they're doing that you don't like. If their behavior continues after that, talk to your parents about it or bring it up with the principal.
What is overworked teachers? ›
An overworked teacher is someone who cannot achieve a balance between the many demands they face, such as professional, social, and family responsibilities. They often feel that they do not have enough time to dedicate to each of these areas, leading to high levels of stress.
