History of the Invention of Homework

Homework and the arguments about it are practically similar in age as learning and teaching. Considering homework isn’t very popular among students, they must be curious to know who invented the task that deprives them of free time to mingle and enjoy themselves. Such desperation results in google searches for people who invented homework. So who created homework?

History about Home Invention

Many people believe that Google stipulates Robert Nevilis as having created homework as a penalty form for his lazy learners in 1905. His real motivation was to spoil his student’s relaxation time because of their misbehavior. However, this isn’t true as google only recognizes the lad as having introduced it in school but nothing about the person. Further, it is impossible to imagine that throughout the history of science and education, nobody got their students to carry out some assignments at home. So it’s likely that the invention of homework happened before 1905.

It is essential to state that homework existed in a way as far back as education.  Playing instruments of music, singing, thinkers, reciting poems, and bible verses need thorough memory and practice beyond the classroom. So the middle era monks, noble Romans, philosophers, and nineteenth-century industrial tycoons had their fair share of homework history, including handwriting, reading, memorizing, and practice. Memorization was a key component as they had a mantra of learning by heart for better knowledge. 

Pliny gets credited with encouraging his learners to rehearse public speaking away after school for greater confidence and fluency. Further, more ancient teachers advised kids to practice skills learned through memorizing. 

Homework is also linked to the original school system, especially when they became open to the general public and not just a preserve for the rich. So when schools got opened for everyone and free, then homework also emerged.

When Homework Was Invented

It is not easy to precisely pinpoint when homework emerged, but it is safe to mention when it got outlawed in California in 1901. It mainly arose as a result of students not completing home chores because of homework assignments from school. Learning in school was a privilege at the time, as their central role was to work the fields to sustain their livelihoods.

However, with changing times and a new constitutional dispensation that granted kids the right to education regardless of their financial position, homework was reinvented. It was not as a form of punishment but a critical development and learning tool to benefit the students.   Memorization lost its meaning because of the fresh, innovative, and student-friendly teaching methods. More diverse and creative assignments emerged to match the intellectual capabilities and age of students.

Why Homework Was Invented

  • To help students to remember concepts learned in class as one can forget ideas fast.
  • Better assimilation and understanding of concepts through repetition
  • To develop the student’s imagination and creativity.
  • For a student to learn at their rhythm and pace away from hustles of the classroom
  • For a student to feel comfortable in repeating their efforts in solving issues without judgement
  • For students to plan their own study schedules after school
  • To enable students to research and look up relevant data that can help them write other things like essays.

 

Conclusion

Understanding the history of homework and why it got invented is critical in appreciating the role and benefits it provides to students. The insights provided will accomplish just that and make you understand the homework. You can also get help from Assignmentgeek.com if you still don't understand how to manage your assignments on your own.

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