What is the purpose of assigning after-class homework for students? I believe the answer lies in the hope of helping students to have a better command of the knowledge learnt in classes. Therefore, homework should be considered an extension of school education, and should be done independently in order to achieve its original purpose.
First and foremost, finishing one’s homework independently can facilitate better absorption of the learnt knowledge in classes. After listening to their teachers’ systematic analysis in class, students are supposed to review the newly-acquired knowledge when they get home. Assignment of homework, evidently, is an effective way to ensure that. Intervention and assistance from parents will surely be highly instrumental over some confusing and challenging exercises. However, it runs contrary to the initial goal of setting homework. Only by memorizing and applying the knowledge into exercises themselves can students better digest the new information more thoroughly and permanently.
Furthermore, another undeniable reward of doing homework on one’s own is the cultivation of his independence and problem-solving initiative. Adolescence can be an especially critical period fort the shape of a youth’s character and personality. Overprotection and ready help from parents against whatever problems can actually be detrimental to the growth of children. This is because this deprives them of the opportunity to address problems independently. For instance, searching and collecting relevant date from a mass of references for an essay can help students distinguish between the important fact and some trivial details. My friend John used to rely on his parents to filter all the useful references for him. For a long time, he never intended to figure out a problem on his own. It was only after he was admitted to college and had to live in the dormitory did he realize how emotionally attached he was to his parents when it comes to some problems.
Therefore, having parents help with their homework may indeed save some detours and improve the overall quality and accuracy of homework. It is better recommended for students to complete the assignment on their own. |