BlogSHOULD HOMEWORK BE REPLACED WITH IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING?
SHOULD HOMEWORK BE REPLACED WITH IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING?
2025-09-13
Homework has been an important part of school for decades. Homework is usually given to students to review the topics that have been covered in the class. It is also said that homework helps students to build up several good habits such as time management, responsibility and also independent thinking. Not only students but even teachers hold many mixed opinions regarding homework, some recognize its potential benefits and some acknowledge its drawbacks. However, in today’s developed world, the way the learning method is changing and new teaching methods being introduced, many people have the same questions, “ Should homework be replaced or supplemented with in-class or project based learning/activities?”
In recent years students from different parts of the world have been sharing one identical problem: Homework load. Not only students, regarding the same topic even teachers have their own point of view, while many think that homework is the way for students to revise the learned topic, some think that homework can be alternated by many other activities which can also be as effective as homework and also reduce the workload and stress of students. Many students even complain that homework consumes most of their time which leaves them with less time for their personal activities such as relaxing, spending time with family. “Homework stress reduces the beneficial effects of homework and increases disaffection leading to disengagement and procrastination” (Moè et al). Students may therefore lose interest in learning because homework feels more like a burden rather than something helpful.
To replace homework many schools are bringing in in-class activities and project based learning. These activities are found to be the best alternative for homework. These activities allow students to work in a group or independently, which not only boost their learning skills but also their interaction and social skills. For example, instead of working alone in a science project students can work in groups or independently according to their wish and can perform a classroom based activity which not only increases their theoretical knowledge but also their practical skills which can create a path for their curiosity regarding the subject. In addition to that it also helps remembering the lesson quite easily, properly and make the learning useful in real life.
Another powerful alternative to homework is Project Based Learning (PBL). In its approach, students work for days in a project, which is based on real life problems or a creative topic.This not only improve the theoretical knowledge of students but also contribute to their knowledge about real life problems and help in their creative thinking. “Project-based learning provides opportunities for students, teachers, and members of society to collaborate with one another to investigate questions and ideas” ((Blumenfeld et al. 325) Through this method people can develop skills regarding topics like science, maths and language based subjects where creative thinking is a must. Project Based Learning also teaches students how to research, plan, work in groups and manage time. Most importantly it helps students to know about the importance of learning in the world outside of books.
However, this does not mean that removing all homework should be removed completely. Some amount of homework is still useful for students to develop their understanding. Short reading assignments, solving practice questions or practicing quizzes regarding the topic that is being taught can review and strengthen the knowledge of students. Instead of giving large amounts of repetitive homework, teachers can give smaller and more meaningful tasks. These tasks feel less stressful and are more enjoyable for students to perform. This makes sure that students get knowledge outside of the textbook and also that learning should be exciting, engaging and useful in real life.
In conclusion, learning should not be limited to only textbooks and homework. It should be exciting, engaging, and useful. In-class activities and project-based learning help students think deeply, solve real-life problems, and enjoy the process of learning. These factors create a balanced system that includes some homework, along with active classroom learning, which is one of the best ways to support students’ overall growth. When students are motivated and interested, they learn better and that should always be the goal of education.
References
Moè, Angelica, et al. “Reducing Homework Stress by Increasing Adoption of Need-Supportive Practices: Effects of an Intervention with Parents.” Learning and Individual Differences, vol. 82, Aug. 2020, p. 101921, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101921.
Blumenfeld, Phyllis C., et al. “Motivating Project‑Based Learning: Sustaining the Doing, Supporting the Learning.” Educational Psychologist, vol. 26, no. 3–4, 1991, pp. 369–398. Educational Psychologist Online, https://knilt.arcc.albany.edu/images/4/4d/PBL_Article.pdf.
