An exhausting part of ending a school day was receiving a homework assignment from your teacher. This activity is passed down from generation to generation without an idea of its value.
The consensus among scholars was homework was a form of torture. Besides being time-intensive, scholars had to schedule domestic chores, hobbies, socializing, and relaxing after a hard day at school.
Also, getting a homework assignment meant less time spent doing your hobbies at home. Plus, it was reason enough for your parents to send you to your room during your favorite TV show.
Over the years, one question most scholars failed to ask is, who invented homework? The genius behind this invention stands in history as one of the most hated people.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive creator attributed to this invention. This article explores the historical developments that created the homework.
History of Homework
The history of homework could be more specific, with no single individual attributed to this invention. However, traces of this invention are traceable throughout history. Moreover, many people and events continue shaping and influencing the nature of modern-day homework, including homework writing services such as writemyessays.
Early civilizations practiced homework as part of their curriculum. The medieval times saw any form of education negated to the wealthy people in society. The concept didn’t involve links to Google Docs with assignments but reading literacy items on their volition.
Moreover, these times didn’t involve writing down assignments for instructor marking. They were different forms of assignments that could be considered homework during their era.
Let’s take a look at two major influencers attributed to the start of this invention:
Roberto Nevelis of Venice
The most loathed person accredited with the invention of homework is thought to be Roberto Nevelis of Venice. According to urban legend, Robert Nevelis was a teacher in Italy who formulated the concept of homework.
However, in-depth research reveals no concrete affiliation between homework and Roberto Nevelis. For a guy who impacted the future of learning for generations, an accreditation from other scholars should be the least accolade on his name.
More sources reveal that he formulated the concept in 1095, while others perceive it to have spread a millennium later.
Initially, the homework concept was meant to penalize naughty students in class. Moreover, high-performance students were spared from the torture of homework.
There isn’t much information on the life of Roberto to fully assert that he came up with the notion of homework in school.
Inventor of Modern Homework
Since it’s hard to trace back to the original homework creator, we look at some modern-day inventors who invented homework. Johann Gottlieb Fichte was an infamous philosopher renowned for his astounding works on German nationalism.
Fichte is credited for creating a nine-year education system similar to the primary one. Those students who attended this education system dealt with homework handed by instructors to work on during their personal time.
The specific curriculum was not quite popular across Europe, but other countries formed their curriculum with homework hints for scholars. American scholar Horace Mann traveled to Prussia and adopted their education system in 1843. This gave birth to the foundation of the current American education system. Thus, it marked the birth of modern-day homework.
Types of Homework
Different types of homework play a role in the student’s learning process. Moreover, teachers select different types of homework to suit the student’s profile. Below we take a look at some different types for students to explore:
- Practice: The most common type of this assignment offered to students is the practice type of task. The essence of these assignments is reinforcing information learned in school. Hence, it gives scholars a chance to commit to long-term memory.
- Reading assignments: These assignments include reading a specific book, novel, chapter, or journal. The main essence of this assignment is increasing the understanding of the subject matter.
- Writing assignments: This involves tasks where students handle writing for research papers, reports, essays, creative writing, and journals. It aims at improving writing skills while demonstrating an understanding of the study material.
- Research: This involves using extra time after school to gather data or information to later use in class. Some data collection techniques include taking photos, conducting interviews, questionnaires, and data analysis.
- Projects: A common assignment that scholars often get in school is project work involving fellow students. This assignment tests students’ collective effort and contribution in presenting a project together. Hence, students must collaborate and coordinate efforts to achieve a common goal.
- Presentations: This involves gathering data together through research and presenting in front of fellow students their findings; apart from testing their research skills, presentation tests scholars’ oral skills and confidence in front of an audience. This goes a long way in testing their public speaking skills.
Why Choose Homework Route?
Throughout the years, the purpose and intention of homework continues to change. Here are some benefits students can accrue from homework:
- Time Management Skills: Doing homework teaches scholars the value of time management. Hence, students learn to strike a balance between play and work. Most students work on assignments with tight deadlines. Therefore, completing these assignments within the allocated time requires commitment.
- Self-Learning: Homework creates an environment where students can review their content and promote self-learning. Moreover, students learn how to build their reading style while revising their syllabi.
- Memory Retention: Homework offers the perfect avenue for scholars to recall what they learned during the day. Hence, it enables the memorization of facts and figures from instructors. The result is students with a sharp memory focus and concentration.
- Tracking Performance: Parents are highly engaged in their child’s learning process and performance through homework. This allows parents to engage with teachers on ways to improve their student’s academic performance.
Bottom Line
There is no single individual to whom we can attribute the invention of homework. Therefore, we could all stop hating Robert Venelis of Venice. Despite the uncertainty of its origin, we cannot downplay the importance of homework in the learning process. Students can accrue many benefits from the long-standing tradition passed on to generations.