How to Encourage Students to Do Their Homeworks.

Oftentimes, students view homework assignments as taxing and difficult so they dread and avoid it like a plague. This could be remedied however, if the teacher is innovative enough to be able to motivate the students properly.
The following are useful teachers' tips for successful homework assignments:
1. The students should know the benefits they could derive from the assignment.

Be specific about what they could gain from doing his homework. Inform them of the objectives of the assignment. "You are going to read this topic and answer the questions because you have to learn how to get a blood pressure. When we will be discussing the topic next meeting, you'll be able to participate actively. This is a first aid procedure that you need to know because you'll never know when you'll need to use it."

2. Prepare the assignment in such a way that it creates curiosity.

Instead of giving them directly the research questions, arouse their interest by having motivator questions. e.g. On assignments about "the detrimental effects of the UV light"; "Why do we have to use umbrellas under the heat of the sun?" This could serve as the motivator question.

3. Associate the homework with their interests or hobbies.

"Do you wonder why your transformer robots could be manipulated to move?" This could be used on a topic about energy; or "When you use those skates, what do you think is the reason why you pick up speed?" This could be used on a topic about velocity. There are various students' hobbies that you could tap to arouse their interests.

4. Be clear about the instructions and the language used.

Be aware of your students' "language" and use only words that they could understand at their own level. A "mouse" to them would mean something different. For assignments to be fully understood, instructions should be clearly explained.

5. Be organized.

Have certain specifications; like how long should the article be? What paper should be used? Would they submit it in a folder or an envelope? When would be the deadline? and other pertinent information.

6. Be fair in grading their work.

What would be more disappointing than doing your best, but earning a grade of 78 %? Grade fairly and objectively. In order for you to do this, you must have an evaluation checklist or tool. This objective tool must include the goals of the activity. The criteria should be clear and in detail for every set of goals.

7. Give your feedback and evaluation promptly.

Students are often excited about how they have done in their previous assignments. It would be a good motivator to them if they know that their work was given priority. It means you consider their assignments significant, and next time you will assign one, they'll be responding positively.

8. Reward and give merits to those who have done well.

The "carrot method" is still the most effective method of encouraging students to perform. The "stick method" is discouraged because of the negative behavior that it initiates; so reward those who have done well with stars, points, an acknowledgment in class, or other merit options. Do not give demerits though, to those who have not done well; this would create defensiveness and could damage the student's self confidence. Encourage them instead to do better next time.

As one wise educator said: "Be quick with your praise but slow in your criticism."

We could therefore conclude that students' success in their homework assignments is dependent on a lot of factors as mentioned above. What a teacher should remember is: Students are just like anyone else, most of them need encouragement and motivation to be able to succeed.