Should homework be banned? Professor tells GMB it has a ‘very limited purpose’ while Vice Chairman for the Campaign for Real Education says teachers need to improve their ‘attitudes’ to make it more appealing
- Vice Chairman Katie Ivens argued that homework is of ‘great value’ to children
- Said that there may be ‘problems with teaching and teacher’s attitudes’
- Professor Robert Winston instead said he would get rid of GCSEs and A levels
The Vice Chairman for the Campaign for Real Education was branded ‘out of touch’ and ‘patronising’ as she argued that homework should not be banned and that ‘teaching standards’ may be the problem.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Katie Ivens, argued that ‘homework is of great value,’ while Professor Robert Winston said he would get rid of GCSEs and A levels and urged children to focus on hobbies instead.
It comes after new research has found 70% of teachers think there’s too much homework and only 20% believe homework is essential for learning.
Speaking to presenters Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd, Katie argued: ‘Homework enables children to take work home that they’ve been studying at school, give it their own perspective, interact with it, learn more. I actually think it helps to create critical thinking as a matter of fact which is a very good thing. You can advance what you’re learning. On you go basically.
It’s an opportunity to move on. It should not be banned, absolutely not. If it needs improve it, then improve it. If teachers are bored by it, they better cultivate their interests and become good setters of good homework.
There may be problems with teaching and teacher’s attitudes, quite possibly. But homework is most important.’
Katie Ivens (pictured), the Vice Chairman for the Campaign for Real Education was branded ‘out of touch’ and ‘patronising’ as she argued that homework should not be banned and that ‘teaching standards’ are the problem
Professor Robert Winston (pictured) instead said he would get rid of GCSEs and ALlevels and urged children to focus on hobbies
Taking to the comments section, one person vented: ‘This lady is really out of touch. When was the last time she was in a classroom? Teachers teach during the day and go home and still carry on working (marking/planning). We hate homework. If it’s done it’s done, if not oh well’ (pictured)
However, Professor Robert Winston went on to say that homework has a ‘very limited purpose’ and said it ‘destroyed much of his homelife’ as a consequence.
‘I think the first thing to say is there’s far too much homework and it should be reduced,’ he explained. ‘The evidence it produces a better achievement is just not there – there’s no good statistical evidence.
‘I think we need to listen to teachers. They’re under too much strain at the moment and not just because of Covid. They’re already having to work very, very hard and to add to that to that is a very serious issue. In my view, if it’s not really doing the children any good it’s not worthwhile.’
And it wasn’t long before viewers took to Twitter and were left raging by Katie’s comments – with many branding Professor Robert a ‘legend.’
The guests debated whether homework should be banned. Pictured, on today’s show
‘This lady is really out of touch,’ wrote one. ‘When was the last time she was in a classroom? Teachers teach during the day and go home and still carry on working (marking/planning). We hate homework. If it’s done it’s done, if not oh well.’
A second commented: ‘Katie, shh. Homework cannot be done at the same level as schoolwork, teachers have to consider if parents can understand it, have time to help their children etc.’
Professor Robert Winston went on to argue that he believes A levels actually ‘prevent’ critical thinking – before branding that a ‘very different argument altogether.’
‘We’re talking about homework and the need for children to develop their hobbies and perhaps if they can and have enough money, play a musical instrument, there’s a whole range of things they can be doing at home which contributes to their learning,’ he continued.
Taking to the comments section, one person penned: ‘For me…everyday is homework. We learn something new every day whether it be from watching documentaries on tv or doing quick Google searches. I’m nearly 30 and I find myself learning new facts that I was NEVER taught at school’ (pictured)
After hearing that viewers were in agreement with the Professor, Katie responded: ‘Well maybe the homework set and the quality is not very good. Maybe the teaching standards in this country are not the best in the world. Homework is an opportunity for children to learn if they;re not learning much in the day.’
Taking to the comments section, one person who tuned in penned: ‘For me…everyday is homework. We learn something new every day whether it be from watching documentaries on tv or doing quick Google searches. I’m nearly 30 and I find myself learning new facts that I was NEVER taught at school.’
Another commented: ‘yes yes Robert Winston all kids up and down the country CHEERING and throwing away the paper stack at home,’ while a third added: ‘Homework has become a substitute for actual teaching because there is no way you can learn 20 GCSE subjects all in class, or at all effectivley.’
However, there were a few in agreement with Katie, with one writing: ‘I’m in support of homework. All the people on here who are against homework were probably just shit at their own school work and a bit bitter about it.’
Another suggested: ‘There is too much choice on the curriculum, to stop homework reduce the choices on the curriculum to just the basic’s Maths, English, Science.’
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