who made homework and how did he die

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10 breaking bad moments where we stopped loving walter white.

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Scream 7's Rumored Legacy Character Return Makes More Sense After Sam & Tara's Exit (It's Not Stu)

A24's new horror is an r-rated version of this overlooked '90s kids movie, christopher nolan reuniting with this dark knight trilogy actor for an original movie would be better than batman 4.

From watching Jane die to poisoning Brock, Walter White did some truly reprehensible things across the five seasons of Breaking Bad that made viewers fall out of love with him. When audiences were first introduced to Walt, he was a mild-mannered everyman: a husband, father, and high school chemistry teacher. He wasn’t too far removed from Bryan Cranston’s last major TV role – Hal from Malcolm in the Middle – except he was a much sadder version of that sitcom dad archetype. Naturally, audiences loved the character. But that all changed after he “ broke bad. ”

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan took the TV antihero stories pioneered by The Sopranos and Mad Men to the next level. Gilligan challenged television’s usual M.O. of maintaining the status quo with a story of change. Whereas Tony Soprano and Don Draper were bad guys from the outset and remained bad guys until the very end, Walt transformed from a loving family man into a cold-hearted monster. Along the way, he did plenty of awful things that made the audience question their initial love for the character.

10 When Walt Let Jane Die

Walt had done plenty of terrible things before he watched Jane die, from blowing up Tuco’s headquarters to killing Krazy-8, but Jane’s death was arguably his point of no return. Jesse and Jane’s relationship arc came to a head in season 2, episode 12, “Phoenix,” when Walt became concerned that Jane was a good influence on Jesse – which was bad for Walt. Jane encouraged Jesse to assert himself and become more independent from Walt, and Walt didn’t like that.

When Walt went to speak with Jesse and found him passed out next to Jane, Walt accidentally knocked Jane onto her back and she started choking on her own vomit. Although he could’ve easily saved her, he stood back and watched her die. Walt actually let a woman die just to make his own life slightly more convenient.

9 When Walt Made A Fake Confession Tape To Blackmail Hank

The second half of Breaking Bad ’s final season followed up on the shocking midseason cliffhanger of Hank finally realizing that his own brother-in-law is the elusive Heisenberg. With his back against the wall, in season 5, episode 11, “Confessions,” Walt gives Hank a DVD. On the DVD, Walt tearfully “confesses” that Hank is the mastermind behind his drug operation and that he’s been forcing Walt to cook meth for him.

This was actually kind of brilliant. The confession DVD might not hold up in court, but Walt’s fabricated version of events is more believable than Hank having no idea that his brother-in-law is a drug lord. But it’s also pretty despicable that Walt would coerce his own family like this. Hank is a lawman just trying to bring a notorious criminal to justice, but his rival happens to be a diabolical genius, so his hands are tied.

8 When Walt Pressured Walt, Jr. To Drink

Walt allowed his criminal persona to slip into his personal life in season 2, episode 10, “Over.” After Walt is told he’s in remission, he decides to quit the drug business and the Whites throw a party to celebrate. Walt and Hank are drinking tequila and Walt decides to pour some for Walt, Jr., which is initially a sweet, innocuous father-son bonding moment. But then, Walt keeps pouring tequila and pressuring his son to drink it.

When Hank tries to intervene and take the bottle away, Walt demands that he give it back. He keeps pressuring Walt, Jr. to drink until he ends up vomiting in the pool. This is the moment that Walt, Jr.’s idolization of Hank – and Walt’s resentment over it – finally came to a head. It showed that Walt was willing to sacrifice anything (including his son’s well-being) for his own fragile sense of pride.

7 When Walt Ordered Jesse To Kill Gale

Walt managed to convince Jesse that he was an equal partner in their business, but that was never the case. Jesse was Walt’s lapdog who he manipulated into doing all his dirty work. Walt came up with the ideas, but Jesse was the one who had to do all the traumatic follow-through. In season 3, episode 13, “Full Measure,” Gus is determined to kill Walt, who’s been nothing but trouble, but Walt comes up with a way to force Gus to keep him alive.

Walt has Jesse go to Gale’s apartment and murder him, so that Walt will be the only meth cook left capable of creating product that’s up to Gus’ standards. It was a smart move on Walt’s part, but it destroyed Jesse. Killing Gale was one of the devastating traumas that would haunt Jesse for the rest of the series.

6 When Walt Killed Mike

Walt killed a bunch of people throughout Breaking Bad ’s run, but he almost always had a solid reason to kill them. He killed Krazy-8 because, if he didn’t, Krazy-8 would’ve killed him. What made his murder of Mike Ehrmantraut so contemptible was that he didn’t have to do it. In season 5, episode 7, “Say My Name,” Walt impulsively shoots Mike when Mike refuses to give him the names of the nine men he’s paying off.

But after dealing Mike a fatal gunshot wound, Walt realizes he could’ve gotten the names from Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, so he didn’t have to kill Mike. Mike was a killer himself, involved in a dangerous, cutthroat world, so it was always likely that his life would end this way. But it just proved he was right about Walt’s egotistical behavior ruining everything.

5 When Walt Forced His Way Back Into Skyler's Life

After Skyler found out about Walt’s secret double life as a meth kingpin, she kicked him out of the house. But in season 3, episode 3, “I.F.T.,” Walt defied her wishes and just moved back into the house. She called the police to have him removed, but they couldn’t do anything without a court order. So, Walt just stayed in the house without Skyler’s consent and forced her to live under the same roof as him.

It’s astounding to think that Skyler was the character who got the most hate when Walt pulled stunts like this. When Walt did ruthless, duplicitous things in the criminal underworld, it was par for the course – it was an ugly side effect of operating in that world. But when he brought that ruthlessness home, it highlighted just how awful Walt could be.

4 When Walt Told Jesse He Watched Jane Die

Season 5, episode 14, “Ozymandias” is Breaking Bad ’s most explosive episode . All the conflicts and tensions that the series had been building from the very beginning came to a head in “Ozymandias.” Walt’s meth empire came crumbling down, Hank and Gomez were killed, and Walt sold out Jesse to his white supremacist partners. But just before Jack took Jesse away, Walt seized the opportunity to tell him that he watched Jane die.

Talk about kicking someone while they’re down. Jesse had just been taken captive as a meth-cooking slave by a neo-Nazi gang – it was arguably the lowest point of his entire life – and Walt went and made it even worse by revealing that he could’ve saved Jane and changed the tragic trajectory of his past couple of years. Needless to say, Jesse is devastated.

3 When Walt Had 10 Prisoners Killed In Less Than 2 Minutes

Everything seems to be going well for Walt in season 5, episode 8, “Gliding Over All.” He’s made enough money to quit the meth business, he’s tied up all the loose ends by disposing of Mike’s corpse, and his family finally comes back together as Walt, Jr. and Holly move back into the house. But to get to a place where he can retire and feel safe, Walt has to go full Godfather .

Walt demands that Jack and his gang kill all of Mike’s henchmen in prison, and insists that it all be done at the same time. Although Jack warns him it’ll be difficult to figure out, Walt manages to orchestrate the brutal murders of 10 men across three different prisons, all in the space of two minutes. This is Walt’s Don Corleone moment.

2 When Walt Kidnapped His Own Daughter

“Ozymandias” reaches its climax when Skyler deduces that Hank has been killed and threatens Walt with a kitchen knife. Walt manages to wrestle the knife out of Skyler’s hands, but Walt, Jr. – finally seeing his father for who he really is – jumps in front of his mom to protect her. Realizing that he’s destroyed his family and there’s no going back, Walt decides to leave, but not alone.

Walt literally kidnaps his own daughter before he leaves. Seeing the look of horror in Skyler’s eyes as she desperately tries to get her baby back from the monster abducting her, it sinks in just how far gone Walt is. Thankfully, he comes to his senses, leaves Holly at a firehouse, and she’s returned to Skyler. But just the fact that he had the impulse to kidnap his own daughter is terrible.

1 When Walt Poisoned Brock

Walt did plenty of horrible things in Breaking Bad , but at least he targeted most of those horrible things at adults. The most unforgivable thing he did in the series was poisoning an eight-year-old boy. In season 4, episode 13, “Face Off,” Walt’s feud with Gus comes to a head and it becomes clear that one of them will have to kill the other. When Jesse’s girlfriend’s son Brock is poisoned, Walt convinces him Gus did it.

Jesse resumes his loyalty to Walt and the two team up to hatch a plan to assassinate Gus. The plan is a success, Gus is killed horrifically, and Walt declares, “ I won. ” But the final shot of the episode reveals that Gus didn’t poison Brock; Walt did. Walt was so determined to win that he endangered a child’s life. This was one of Breaking Bad ’s most shocking twists.

Alabama high school football player dies of brain injury sustained during game

A high school quarterback died after he was tackled and hit his head during a game in Alabama, officials said Monday, in the latest gridiron tragedy to befall a young player.

Caden Tellier, 16, was injured Friday during the third quarter while competing for John T. Morgan Academy, a private school in Selma, as the Senators played host to Southern Academy.

Early in third period, Tellier was running with the ball when a Southern defender wrapped around his waist, and the QB nearly wiggled free before being tackled at the ankles, Dallas County Coroner William Dailey told NBC News on Monday.

"He went down, landing on his elbow and his head hit the ground," Dailey said. "Now, according to everybody there, this was not a violent hit and his head did not strike the ground violently."

Tellier "started staggering" toward his sideline and as trainers administered concussion protocol, the QB threw up, "went unresponsive" and "never was able to speak again," the coroner added.

He was rushed to Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma and airlifted to UAB Hospital where he died, the coroner said.

A state medical examiner will rule on cause of death. But Dailey said the preliminary finding is that internal bleeding in the brain, caused by that fall, led to Tellier's passing.

The player's mother, Arsella Slagel Tellier, said in a Facebook post on Saturday: “Everyone who knows Caden has known kindness, generosity and love, and true to his nature, he is giving of himself one more time.”

“Lives have been touched by the way he lived and now lives will be saved through his passing,” she said.

A GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, which has already raised $75,000 of its $100,000 target, said Tellier died from a “traumatic brain injury.” The GoFundMe page also mentions that Tellier was an organ donor.

The teenager's father, Jamie Tellier, said he's been heartened by well wishers from across the country.

Even though his son only lived for 16 years, the grieving dad said Caden was deeply religious and enjoyed nearly every moment of that time.

"There are some people that don't get to do a lot of things in 80 years of a lifetime and my son did everything in 16 years," the elder Tellier told mourners at a memorial service. "He lived a life, he laughed, he got to do everything he wanted to do, he accomplished so much (of what) he loved."

Morgan Academy headmaster Dr. Bryan Oliver said in a statement to NBC affiliate WSFA of Montgomery that "there are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family." Morgan Academy has about 350 students.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy," he said.

Michael McLendon, executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association said in a statement that he backed the school's decision to cancel all classes and activities this week, "giving their community time to come together, reflect, and support one another through this heartbreaking time."

"As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply," McLendon said. The school has 339 students, according to its website .

Tellier's death is the latest in a string of deaths involving high school football players.

A West Texas high school player also died from a head injury in 2022 , while a student died during football practice in Florida in 2021 and a 15-year-old boy died after collapsing during practice in Georgia the same year.

And more recently , sophomore Ovet Gomez-Regalado  died on Aug. 16  during a preseason workout at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, which is about 12 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, officials said.

Semaj Wilkins, a freshman at New Brockton High School in Alabama, suffered a “medical emergency” during practice and died on Aug. 13, officials said .

Jayvion Taylor collapsed during football practice at on Aug. 5, at Hopewell High School about 24 miles south of downtown Richmond Virginia, before dying, authorities said.

Leslie Noble died Aug. 14 after he collapsed during practice at Franklin High School, in the Baltimore suburb of Reisterstown, Maryland, officials said.

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US CENTCOM says it conducted raid in Iraq, 15 Islamic State operatives dead

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday its forces conducted a partnered raid with the Iraqi Security Forces in western Iraq in the early hours of Aug. 29, resulting in the deaths of 15 Islamic State (ISIS) operatives.

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As Boar's Head recall-linked death toll climbs, here's what to know

By Kate Gibson

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: August 29, 2024 / 5:31 PM EDT / CBS News

As the tally of those stricken in a nationwide listeria outbreak tied to recalled Boar's Head deli meat rises, federal health officials are urging Americans to check their refrigerators for the products, some with sell-by dates into October.

The largest such outbreak since one linked to cantaloupes more than a decade ago has killed at least nine people and hospitalized 57 in 18 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update on Wednesday. 

The Sarasota, Florida-based deli meat and cheese company last month expanded its recall to include more than 3,600 tons of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold under the Boar's Head and Old Country brands.

Records released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture disclosed unappetizing conditions at the Boar's Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia, where the implicated products were produced. USDA inspectors found mold, mildew and insects throughout the facility, which has suspended operations for now. 

Here's a rundown of what happened and what people should know:

What happened?

A Boar's Head liverwurst sample tested positive for the outbreak strain of listeria in testing last month by the Maryland Department of Health, prompting the expanded  recall . 

The 18 states where the 57 cases in the latest outbreak took place include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. 

The first case was reported on May 29, 2024, and the last occurred on Aug. 16, 2024. 

Some people are suing Boar's Head after eating the company's products, according to the Associated Press. That includes lifelong liverwurst lover Sue Fleming, 88, who was hospitalized for more than a week with a listeria infection; and Ashley Solberg, who claimed in a lawsuit that she had "nearly lost her unborn child" after contracting the illness.

Still, recent illnesses may have yet to be reported as it typically takes three to four weeks to determine if an illness is part of an outbreak, according to the CDC. Further, the real number of sick people in the outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, as some recover without medical care or being tested for listeria. 

What is listeria?

According to the CDC, listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces such as meat slicers and foods, even when refrigerated. It can take up to 10 weeks for some people to develop symptoms of listeriosis. Listeria spreads easily among equipment, surfaces, hands and food. 

The bacteria can contaminate many foods, and listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S. Each year an estimated 1,600 Americans are infected with listeria and 260 die from it. 

An outbreak in 2011 linked to cantaloupes inflected 147 people and killed 33 across 28 states, according  to  the CDC.

Who is most at risk?

People who are pregnant, 65 and older or those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of serious illness or death from a listeria infection. Those with symptoms including fever, muscle aches, tiredness should call a health care provider. Other symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.

Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth, as well as serious illness or death in newborns.

The infection is typically diagnosed with a sample from an ill person's body fluid or tissue, and treatment depends on the severity of the illness. People with diarrhea should drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Those with an invasive illness are treated with antibiotics. 

What should consumers do?

Do not eat recalled deli meats. Refrigeration does not kill listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats. 

People who are generally healthy and not at a higher risk of serious infection should throw recalled items away or return them to the store.  Clean your refrigerator, containers and any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled meats. 

What Boar's Head products were recalled?

Boar's Head ready-to-eat liverwurst products:

• Produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, with a 44-day shelf life
• "Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia"
• 3.5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages slided in retail delis
• Sell by days ranging from July 25, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024

All deli products, including prepackaged items, from the Virginia facility. Look for 'EST. 12612" or "P-12612" inside the USDA inspection mark on the product labels.

The complete list of recalled products can be found here . Recalled product labels can be seen here .

In a statement, a Boar's Head spokesperson said the company deeply regrets the impact of the recall, and that food safety is their "absolute priority."

Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York, where she covers business and consumer finance.

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Trump Videos at Arlington Stir More Fallout After Gravesite Visit

The family of a Green Beret buried there expressed concern about videos and photos taken by his grave. And a cemetery employee declined to press charges after an altercation with the Trump team, fearing retribution.

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By Chris Cameron Maggie Haberman and Eric Schmitt

Chris Cameron was traveling with Donald J. Trump during his visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

• Aug. 28, 2024

The family of a Green Beret who died by suicide after serving eight combat tours and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery expressed concern on Wednesday that Donald J. Trump’s campaign had filmed his gravesite without permission as Mr. Trump stood in an area where campaign photography isn’t allowed.

Relatives of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano issued their statement two days after Mr. Trump’s visit, which also included a confrontation between members of the Trump campaign and an Arlington employee. The former president’s campaign took video in a heavily restricted section of the cemetery known as Section 60, which is largely reserved for the fallen veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

A woman who works at the cemetery filed an incident report with the military authorities over the altercation. But the official, who has not been identified, later declined to press charges. Military officials said she feared Mr. Trump’s supporters pursuing retaliation.

Sergeant Marckesano died on July 7, 2020, after moving to Washington to begin a job at the Pentagon. He had three children, and friends said he had chronic post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in combat. He earned Silver and Bronze Stars during his service. His gravesite is adjacent to that of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, a Marine who was killed in the 2021 bombing at Abbey Gate outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

The Hoover family granted permission to the Trump team to film and take photographs at the gravesite; the Marckesano family did not, and filming and photographing at the gravesite for political purposes is a violation of federal law, according to cemetery officials. Yet Sergeant Marckesano’s grave was shown in photos from the visit that were published online. A video was posted to Mr. Trump’s TikTok account featuring footage from the Section 60 visit and the gravestones from behind, with narration criticizing the handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

In a statement from Sergeant Marckesano’s relatives after being contacted by The New York Times, his sister, Michele, said, “We fully support Staff Sergeant Darin Hoover’s family and the other families in their quest for answers and accountability regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal and the tragedy at Abbey Gate.”

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Origin and Death of Homework Inventor: Roberto Nevilis

Roberto Nevilis is known for creating homework to help students learn on their own. He was a teacher who introduced the idea of giving assignments to be done outside of class. Even though there’s some debate about his exact role, Nevilis has left a lasting impact on education, shaping the way students around the world approach their studies.

The inventor of homework is widely considered to be Roberto Nevilis, an Italian educator who lived in the early 20th century.

Roberto Nevilis: The Man Behind Homework Roberto Nevilis was born in Venice, Italy, in 1879. He was the son of a wealthy merchant and received a private education.

Table of Contents

How Homework Was Born

The Birth of Homework According to historical records, Nevilis was frustrated with the lack of discipline in his classroom. He found that students were often too focused on playing and not enough on learning.

How did homework become popular?

Today, homework is a standard part of the education system in almost every country, and millions of students worldwide spend countless hours each week working on homework assignments.

How did Roberto Nevilis Die?

Despite the mystery surrounding his death, Nevilis’ legacy lives on through his impact on education.

Facts about Roberto Nevilis

The legacy of homework.

In the contemporary educational context, the legacy of homework is a complex interplay of tradition, pedagogy, and evolving perspectives on the balance between academic demands and student well-being.

The Complex History of Homework

The purposes and perceptions of homework have undergone substantial transformations over time. In the 19th century, homework was often viewed as a means of reinforcing discipline and moral values, with assignments focused on character development.

Conclusion – Who invented homework, and how did he die

Roberto Nevilis was a visionary educator who profoundly impacted the education system. His invention of homework has changed how students learn and has helped countless students worldwide improve their education.

What is Roberto Nevilis’ legacy?

Despite the mystery surrounding his death, Nevilis’ legacy as the inventor of homework will never be forgotten.

What was Roberto Nevilis’ background?

What was roberto nevilis’ impact on education.

Roberto Nevilis’ invention of homework has had a profound impact on education. By assigning homework, he helped students reinforce the lessons they learned in class and encouraged them to take their education more seriously.

Is there any evidence to support the theories about Roberto Nevilis’ death?

What was roberto nevilis age.

It is believed that he died of old age. Not much information is available on his exact age at the time of death. Born: 1879 Died: 1954 (aged 75 years)

Where is Roberto Nevilis’s grave

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History Cooperative

The Homework Dilemma: Who Invented Homework?

The inventor of homework may be unknown, but its evolution reflects contributions from educators, philosophers, and students. Homework reinforces learning, fosters discipline, and prepares students for the future, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern education. Ongoing debates probe its balance, efficacy, equity, and accessibility, prompting innovative alternatives like project-based and personalized learning. As education evolves, the enigma of homework endures.

Table of Contents

Who Invented Homework?

While historical records don’t provide a definitive answer regarding the inventor of homework in the modern sense, two prominent figures, Roberto Nevelis of Venice and Horace Mann, are often linked to the concept’s early development.

Roberto Nevelis of Venice: A Mythical Innovator?

Roberto Nevelis, a Venetian educator from the 16th century, is frequently credited with the invention of homework. The story goes that Nevelis assigned tasks to his students outside regular classroom hours to reinforce their learning—a practice that aligns with the essence of homework. However, the historical evidence supporting Nevelis as the inventor of homework is rather elusive, leaving room for skepticism.

While Nevelis’s role remains somewhat mythical, his association with homework highlights the early recognition of the concept’s educational value.

Horace Mann: Shaping the American Educational Landscape

Horace Mann, often regarded as the “Father of American Education,” made significant contributions to the American public school system in the 19th century. Though he may not have single-handedly invented homework, his educational reforms played a crucial role in its widespread adoption.

Mann’s vision for education emphasized discipline and rigor, which included assigning tasks to be completed outside of the classroom. While he did not create homework in the traditional sense, his influence on the American education system paved the way for its integration.

The invention of homework was driven by several educational objectives. It aimed to reinforce classroom learning, ensuring knowledge retention and skill development. Homework also served as a means to promote self-discipline and responsibility among students, fostering valuable study habits and time management skills.

Why Was Homework Invented?

The invention of homework was not a random educational practice but rather a deliberate strategy with several essential objectives in mind.

Reinforcing Classroom Learning

Foremost among these objectives was the need to reinforce classroom learning. When students leave the classroom, the goal is for them to retain and apply the knowledge they have acquired during their lessons. Homework emerged as a powerful tool for achieving this goal. It provided students with a structured platform to revisit the day’s lessons, practice what they had learned, and solidify their understanding.

Homework assignments often mirrored classroom activities, allowing students to extend their learning beyond the confines of school hours. Through the repetition of exercises and tasks related to the curriculum, students could deepen their comprehension and mastery of various subjects.

Fostering Self-Discipline and Responsibility

Another significant objective behind the creation of homework was the promotion of self-discipline and responsibility among students. Education has always been about more than just the acquisition of knowledge; it also involves the development of life skills and habits that prepare individuals for future challenges.

By assigning tasks to be completed independently at home, educators aimed to instill valuable study habits and time management skills. Students were expected to take ownership of their learning, manage their time effectively, and meet deadlines—a set of skills that have enduring relevance in contemporary education and beyond.

Homework encouraged students to become proactive in their educational journey. It taught them the importance of accountability and the satisfaction of completing tasks on their own. These life skills would prove invaluable in their future endeavors, both academically and in the broader context of their lives.

When Was Homework Invented?

The roots of homework stretch deep into the annals of history, tracing its origins to ancient civilizations and early educational practices. While it has undergone significant evolution over the centuries, the concept of extending learning beyond the classroom has always been an integral part of education.

Earliest Origins of Homework and Early Educational Practices

The idea of homework, in its most rudimentary form, can be traced back to the earliest human civilizations. In ancient Egypt , for instance, students were tasked with hieroglyphic writing exercises. These exercises served as a precursor to modern homework, as they required students to practice and reinforce their understanding of written language—an essential skill for communication and record-keeping in that era.

In ancient Greece , luminaries like Plato and Aristotle advocated for the use of written exercises as a tool for intellectual development. They recognized the value of practice in enhancing one’s knowledge and skills, laying the foundation for a more systematic approach to homework.

The ancient Romans also played a pivotal role in the early development of homework. Young Roman students were expected to complete assignments at home, with a particular focus on subjects like mathematics and literature. These assignments were designed to consolidate their classroom learning, emphasizing the importance of practice in mastering various disciplines.

READ MORE: Who Invented Math? The History of Mathematics

The practice of assigning work to be done outside of regular school hours continued to evolve through various historical periods. As societies advanced, so did the complexity and diversity of homework tasks, reflecting the changing needs and priorities of education.

The Influence of Educational Philosophers

While the roots of homework extend to ancient times, the ideas of renowned educational philosophers in later centuries further contributed to its development. John Locke, an influential thinker of the Enlightenment era, believed in a gradual and cumulative approach to learning. He emphasized the importance of students revisiting topics through repetition and practice, a concept that aligns with the principles of homework.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, another prominent philosopher, stressed the significance of self-directed learning. Rousseau’s ideas encouraged the development of independent study habits and a personalized approach to education—a philosophy that resonates with modern concepts of homework.

Homework in the American Public School System

The American public school system has played a pivotal role in the widespread adoption and popularization of homework. To understand the significance of homework in modern education, it’s essential to delve into its history and evolution within the United States.

History and Evolution of Homework in the United States

The late 19th century marked a significant turning point for homework in the United States. During this period, influenced by educational reforms and the growing need for standardized curricula, homework assignments began to gain prominence in American schools.

Educational reformers and policymakers recognized the value of homework as a tool for reinforcing classroom learning. They believed that assigning tasks for students to complete outside of regular school hours would help ensure that knowledge was retained and skills were honed. This approach aligned with the broader trends in education at the time, which aimed to provide a more structured and systematic approach to learning.

As the American public school system continued to evolve, homework assignments became a common practice in classrooms across the nation. The standardization of curricula and the formalization of education contributed to the integration of homework into the learning process. This marked a significant departure from earlier educational practices, reflecting a shift toward more structured and comprehensive learning experiences.

The incorporation of homework into the American education system not only reinforced classroom learning but also fostered self-discipline and responsibility among students. It encouraged them to take ownership of their educational journey and develop valuable study habits and time management skills—a legacy that continues to influence modern pedagogy.

Controversies Around Homework

Despite its longstanding presence in education, homework has not been immune to controversy and debate. While many view it as a valuable educational tool, others question its effectiveness and impact on students’ well-being.

The Homework Debate

One of the central controversies revolves around the amount of homework assigned to students. Critics argue that excessive homework loads can lead to stress, sleep deprivation, and a lack of free time for students. The debate often centers on striking the right balance between homework and other aspects of a student’s life, including extracurricular activities, family time, and rest.

Homework’s Efficacy

Another contentious issue pertains to the efficacy of homework in enhancing learning outcomes. Some studies suggest that moderate amounts of homework can reinforce classroom learning and improve academic performance. However, others question whether all homework assignments contribute equally to learning or whether some may be more beneficial than others. The effectiveness of homework can vary depending on factors such as the student’s grade level, the subject matter, and the quality of the assignment.

Equity and Accessibility

Homework can also raise concerns related to equity and accessibility. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may have limited access to resources and support at home, potentially putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to completing homework assignments. This disparity has prompted discussions about the role of homework in perpetuating educational inequalities and how schools can address these disparities.

Alternative Approaches to Learning

In response to the controversies surrounding homework, educators and researchers have explored alternative approaches to learning. These approaches aim to strike a balance between reinforcing classroom learning and promoting holistic student well-being. Some alternatives include:

Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning emphasizes hands-on, collaborative projects that allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. This approach shifts the focus from traditional homework assignments to engaging, practical learning experiences.

Flipped Classrooms

Flipped classrooms reverse the traditional teaching model. Students learn new material at home through video lectures or readings and then use class time for interactive discussions and activities. This approach reduces the need for traditional homework while promoting active learning.

Personalized Learning

Personalized learning tailors instruction to individual students’ needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. This approach minimizes the need for one-size-fits-all homework assignments and instead focuses on targeted learning experiences.

The Ongoing Conversation

The controversies surrounding homework highlight the need for an ongoing conversation about its role in education. Striking the right balance between reinforcing learning and addressing students’ well-being remains a complex challenge. As educators, parents, and researchers continue to explore innovative approaches to learning, the role of homework in the modern educational landscape continues to evolve. Ultimately, the goal is to provide students with the most effective and equitable learning experiences possible.

Unpacking the Homework Enigma

Homework, without a single inventor, has evolved through educators, philosophers, and students. It reinforces learning, fosters discipline and prepares students. From ancient times to modern education, it upholds timeless values. Yet, controversies arise—debates on balance, efficacy, equity, and accessibility persist. Innovative alternatives like project-based and personalized learning emerge. Homework’s role evolves with education.

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The Story Behind The Myth That An Italian Teacher Roberto Nevilis Invented Homework

It's a necessary evil (or perhaps it's completely unnecessary — more on that in a moment) that has been bedeviling children and parents for generations: homework. Just check out any random parenting advice column and you'll see how much of a chore homework is for the parents and for the children. And even so, at least one parenting advice columnist is advising parents of younger children to not even volunteer to help unless specifically asked to do so.

But is homework one of those aspects of education, like sitting at a desk, that just developed organically over centuries of education? Or did one teacher or administrator come up with the idea? For about a century, a legend has stated that an Italian man named Roberto Nevilis came up with homework, and those in the know have been cursing his name for just as long. He even gets his own entry in Urban Dictionary . However, Nevilis is almost certainly a myth (or at the very least, the idea that he invented homework is a myth), and it looks like there's no one person to blame for the phenomenon.

Blame Horace Mann, Not Roberto Nevilis

As both Through Education and The Ed Advocate report, somehow a myth entered the world's collective consciousness that an Italian man named Roberto Nevilis invented homework. Some versions of the myth even add some context: It was intended to punish underperforming students and to reward those who excelled at their lessons. Some versions of the myth say that his invention dates to 1905, others that it dates to 1095 – an 800 year difference! There's supposedly a photograph of him on Twitter , with a caption claiming the year was 1095, which is a solid eight centuries before the invention of photography .

Needless to say, the Nevilis origin story is probably bunk. Putting aside the fact that he could have lived in either of two periods in history 800 years apart (and the 1095 origin story ignores some important facts about public education, including that it didn't exist at the time), the real indicator that his story is fictitious is that it exists only in question-and-answer forums and parenting blogs. On the rare occasions that someone attempts to cite it, it's always with vague words like "various sources" or "some say" or the like.

The real culprit is probably Horace Mann (his statue is above), and even he didn't come up with it. The American education advocate was inspired by a European system, according to Through Education, and it became more or less ubiquitous worldwide in the decades after he introduced it to the U.S.

Is Homework Necessary?

As mentioned previously, homework can be as bothersome for parents and families as it is for the children tasked with doing it, and for evidence, look no further than this 1999 Time article, " The Homework Ate My Family ." But is homework, like doing taxes, just one of those necessary evils that we all have to live with?

As it turns out, the jury is still out on the benefits of homework. For example, in 2019, Forbes highlighted several school districts across the country that have ditched homework, "citing research showing it doesn't do much to boost achievement," as the website notes. However, for a more thorough explanation of both sides of the issue we need look no further than ProCon which, as the website's name makes manifest, lays out the pros and cons of the matter. And in this case, there are points to be made on both sides. Some pros listed are that studies have shown homework increases student achievement and involves parents in the educational process, while studies have also shown that homework doesn't help younger students (while it may help older ones) and that it exacerbates the achievement gap.

Who Invented Homework? A Big Question Answered with Facts

Crystal Bourque

Delving into the intriguing history of education, one of the most pondered questions arises: Who invented homework?

Love it or hate it, homework is part of student life.

But what’s the purpose of completing these tasks and assignments? And who would create an education system that makes students complete work outside the classroom?

This post contains everything you’ve ever wanted to know about homework. So keep reading! You’ll discover the answer to the big question: who invented homework?

Who Invented Homework?

The myth of roberto nevilis: who is he, the origins of homework, a history of homework in the united states, 5 facts about homework, types of homework.

• What’s the Purpose of Homework? 
• Homework Pros
• Homework Cons

When, How, and Why was Homework Invented?

Daniel Jedzura/Shutterstock.com

To ensure we cover the basics (and more), let’s explore when, how, and why was homework invented.

As a bonus, we’ll also cover who invented homework. So get ready because the answer might surprise you!

It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact person responsible for the invention of homework.

For example, Medieval Monks would work on memorization and practice singing. Ancient philosophers would read and develop their teachings outside the classroom. While this might not sound like homework in the traditional form we know today, one could argue that these methods helped to form the basic structure and format.

So let’s turn to recorded history to try and identify who invented homework and when homework was invented.

Pliny the Younger

Credit: laphamsquarterly.org

Mention of homework appears in the writings of Pliny the Younger, meaning we can trace the term ‘homework’ back to ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger (61—112 CE) was an oratory teacher, and often told his students to practice their public speaking outside class.

Pliny believed that the repetition and practice of speech would help students gain confidence in their speaking abilities.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte

Credit: inlibris.com

Before the idea of homework came to the United States, Germany’s newly formed nation-state had been giving students homework for years.

The roots of homework extend to ancient times, but it wasn’t until German Philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762—1814) helped to develop the Volksschulen (People’s Schools) that homework became mandatory.

Fichte believed that the state needed to hold power over individuals to create a unified Germany. A way to assert control over people meant that students attending the Volksshulen were required to complete assignments at home on their own time.

As a result, some people credit Fichte for being the inventor of homework.

Horace Mann

Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

The idea of homework spread across Europe throughout the 19th century.

So who created homework in the United States?

The history of education and homework now moves to Horace Mann (1796—1859), an American educational reformer, spent some time in Prussia. There, he learned more about Germany’s Volksshulen, forms of education , and homework practices.

Mann liked what he saw and brought this system back to America. As a result, homework rapidly became a common factor in students’ lives across the country.

Credit: medium.com

If you’ve ever felt curious about who invented homework, a quick online search might direct you to a man named Roberto Nevilis, a teacher in Venice, Italy.

As the story goes, Nevilis invented homework in 1905 (or 1095) to punish students who didn’t demonstrate a good understanding of the lessons taught during class.

This teaching technique supposedly spread to the rest of Europe before reaching North America.

Unfortunately, there’s little truth to this story. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that these online sources lack credible sources to back up this myth as fact.

In 1905, the Roman Empire turned its attention to the First Crusade. No one had time to spare on formalizing education, and classrooms didn’t even exist. So how could Nevilis spread the idea of homework when education remained so informal?

And when you jump to 1901, you’ll discover that the government of California passed a law banning homework for children under fifteen. Nevilis couldn’t have invented homework in 1905 if this law had already reached the United States in 1901.

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When it comes to the origins of homework, looking at the past shows us that there isn’t one person who created homework. Instead, examining the facts shows us that several people helped to bring the idea of homework into Europe and then the United States.

In addition, the idea of homework extends beyond what historians have discovered. After all, the concept of learning the necessary skills human beings need to survive has existed since the dawn of man.

More than 100 years have come and gone since Horace Mann introduced homework to the school system in the United States.

Therefore, it’s not strange to think that the concept of homework has changed, along with our people and culture.

In short, homework hasn’t always been considered acceptable. Let’s dive into the history or background of homework to learn why.

Homework is Banned! (The 1900s)

Important publications of the time, including the Ladies’ Home Journal and The New York Times, published articles on the negative impacts homework had on American children’s health and well-being.

As a result, California banned homework for children under fifteen in 1901. This law, however, changed again about a decade later (1917).

Children Needed at Home (The 1930s)

Formed in 1923, The American Child Health Association (ACHA) aimed to decrease the infant mortality rate and better support the health and development of the American child.

By the 1930s, ACHA deemed homework a form of child labor. Since the government recently passed laws against child labor , it became difficult to justify homework assignments. College students, however, could still receive homework tasks as part of their formal schooling.

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A Shift in Ideas (The 1940s—1950s)

During the early to mid-1900s, the United States entered the Progressive Era. As a result, the country reformed its public education system to help improve students’ learning.

Homework became a part of everyday life again. However, this time, the reformed curriculum required teachers to make the assignments more personal.

As a result, American students would write essays on summer vacations and winter breaks, participate in ‘show and tell,’ and more.

These types of assignments still exist today!

Homework Today (The 2000s)

The focus of American education shifted again when the US Department of Education was founded in 1979, aiming to uplevel education in the country by, among other things, prohibiting discrimination ensuring equal access, and highlighting important educational issues.

In 2022, the controversial nature of homework in public schools and formal education is once again a hot topic of discussion in many classrooms.

According to one study , more than 60% of college and high school students deal with mental health issues like depression and anxiety due to homework. In addition, the large number of assignments given to students takes away the time students spend on other interests and hobbies. Homework also negatively impacts sleep.

As a result, some schools have implemented a ban or limit on the amount of homework assigned to students.

Test your knowledge and check out these other facts about homework:

• Horace Mann is also known as the ‘father’ of the modern school system and the educational process that we know today (read more about Who Invented School ).
• With a bit of practice, homework can improve oratory and writing skills. Both are important in a student’s life at all stages.
• Homework can replace studying. Completing regular assignments reduces the time needed to prepare for tests.
• Homework is here to stay. It doesn’t look like teachers will stop assigning homework any time soon. However, the type and quantity of homework given seem to be shifting to accommodate the modern student’s needs.
• The optimal length of time students should spend on homework is one to two hours. Students who spent one to two hours on homework per day scored higher test results.
•   So, while completing assignments outside of school hours may be beneficial, spending, for example, a day on homework is not ideal.

Explore how the Findmykids app can complement your child’s school routine. With features designed to ensure their safety and provide peace of mind, it’s a valuable tool for parents looking to stay connected with their children throughout the day. Download now and stay informed about your child’s whereabouts during their academic journey.

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The U.S. Department of Education provides teachers with plenty of information and resources to help students with homework.

In general, teachers give students homework that requires them to employ four strategies. The four types of homework types include:

• Practice: To help students master a specific skill, teachers will assign homework that requires them to repeat the particular skill. For example, students must solve a series of math problems.
• Preparation: This type of homework introduces students to the material they will learn in the future. An example of preparatory homework is assigning students a chapter to read before discussing the contents in class the next day.
• Extension: When a teacher wants to get students to apply what they’ve learned but create a challenge, this type of homework is assigned. It helps to boost problem-solving skills. For example, using a textbook to find the answer to a question gets students to problem-solve differently.
• Integration: To solidify the student learning experience , teachers will create a task that requires the use of many different skills. An example of integration is a book report. Completing integration homework assignments helps students learn how to be organized, plan, strategize, and solve problems on their own. Encouraging effective study habits is a key idea behind homework, too.

Ultimately, the type of homework students receive should have a purpose, be focused and clear, and challenge students to problem solve while integrating lessons learned.

What’s the Purpose of Homework?

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Homework aims to ensure individual students understand the information they learn in class. It also helps teachers to assess a student’s progress and identify strengths and weaknesses.

For example, school teachers use different types of homework like book reports, essays, math problems, and more to help students demonstrate their understanding of the lessons learned.

Does Homework Improve the Quality of Education?

Homework is a controversial topic today. Educators, parents, and even students often question whether homework is beneficial in improving the quality of education.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of homework to try and determine whether homework improves the quality of education in schools.

Homework Pros:

• Time Management Skills : Assigning homework with a due date helps students to develop a schedule to ensure they complete tasks on time. Personal responsibility amongst students is thereby promoted.
• More Time to Learn : Students encounter plenty of distractions at school. It’s also challenging for students to grasp the material in an hour or less. Assigning homework provides the student with the opportunity to understand the material.
• Improves Research Skills : Some homework assignments require students to seek out information. Through homework, students learn where to seek out good, reliable sources.

Homework Cons:

• Reduced Physical Activity : Homework requires students to sit at a desk for long periods. Lack of movement decreases the amount of physical activity, often because teachers assign students so much homework that they don’t have time for anything else. Time for students can get almost totally taken up with out-of-school assignments.
• Stuck on an Assignment: A student often gets stuck on an assignment. Whether they can’t find information or the correct solution, students often don’t have help from parents and require further support from a teacher. For underperforming students, especially, this can have a negative impact on their confidence and overall educational experience.
• Increases Stress : One of the results of getting stuck on an assignment is that it increases stress and anxiety. Too much homework hurts a child’s mental health, preventing them from learning and understanding the material.

Some research shows that homework doesn’t provide educational benefits or improve performance, and can lead to a decline in physical activities. These studies counter that the potential effectiveness of homework is undermined by its negative impact on students.

However, research also shows that homework benefits students—provided teachers don’t give them too much. Here’s a video from Duke Today that highlights a study on the very topic.

Homework Today

The question of “Who Invented Homework?” delves into the historical evolution of academic practices, shedding light on its significance in fostering responsibility among students and contributing to academic progress. While supported by education experts, homework’s role as a pivotal aspect of academic life remains a subject of debate, often criticized as a significant source of stress. Nonetheless, when balanced with extracurricular activities and integrated seamlessly into the learning process, homework continues to shape and refine students’ educational journeys.

Maybe one day, students won’t need to submit assignments or complete tasks at home. But until then, many students understand the benefits of completing homework as it helps them further their education and achieve future career goals.

Before you go, here’s one more question: how do you feel about homework? Do you think teachers assign too little or too much? Get involved and start a discussion in the comments!

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Who invented homework and why?

The creation of homework can be traced back to the Ancient Roman Pliny the Younger, a teacher of oratory—he is generally credited as being the father of homework! Pliny the Younger asked his students to practice outside of class to help them build confidence in their speaking skills.

Who invented homework as a punishment?

There’s a myth that the Italian educator Roberto Nevilis first used homework as a means of punishing his students in the early 20th century—although this has now been widely discredited, and the story of the Italian teacher is regarded as a myth.

Why did homework stop being a punishment?

There are several reasons that homework ceased being a form of punishment. For example, the introduction of child labor laws in the early twentieth century meant that the California education department banned giving homework to children under the age of fifteen for a time. Further, throughout the 1940s and 1950s, there was a growing emphasis on enhancing students’ learning, making homework assignments more personal, and nurturing growth, rather than being used as a form of punishment.

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Who Invented Homework?

Homework is the bane of all students’ existence, and something they’ve tried to get out of more than once. Almost no one likes doing it, so who invented homework in the first place, and why?

It’s almost universally acknowledged that Roberto Nevilis was the first to issue homework to his students. He was teaching in Venice around 1095. However, he may not have been the actual first teacher to use it.

As long as there’s been education, there’s probably been homework. Experts agree that teachers in Ancient Rome almost certainly handed out homework to their students. There’s even evidence that it was given out in Ancient Rome. Quintilian, the teacher of Pliny the Younger, mentions homework in his works on education. There’s even been stone tablets uncovered that show assignments from teachers.

Today’s students will be surprised that homework used to be frowned upon, especially in the United States. This was because before the Second World War, children were needed to help out with chores around the home. Being given homework meant they weren’t available to complete essential tasks for their parents. It was so frowned upon, in fact, that a law passed in California in 1901 banned all homework for kindergartners all the way up to eighth graders.

The reason this changed was because of the Cold War in the 1950’s. There was a need for more highly educated students, especially those in the sciences. Homework was again assigned to help bring them up to speed on the essential subjects. Of course, the 1950’s saw a lot of societal upheaval after the World Wars. Children were no longer expected to work, and the family unit again became close knit as the fathers came back home. Ever since then, homework has been a staple of the education system.

So, did Nevilis know what he was doing when he started the tradition of homework, all those years ago? He probably didn’t expect today’s students to be carrying such a heavy workload home with them. Today’s children are doing two hours of homework a week, compared to the 44 minutes they would do in 1981.

Do children need to be doing homework at all? Opinion is divided, depending on which country you live in. People who want to abolish homework point to Finland, where homework never happens. They have a high school graduation rate of 93%, as opposed to 73% in the US. Two out of three students go on to college, too.

Whether homework is helpful or not, for now at least it’s here to stay. It’s a concept that has survived centuries in the educational world, and is known to help learning in some cases. It’s no consolation to students though, who need to finish their math problems before they can go play.

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I am an 8th grader with the insane ambition to try and ban homework at my school, and I just wanted to let you know that your article was extremely helpful to me and unbiased at the same time. Just the beautifully written cherry on top that I needed for this proposal. Whether or not it is a success, thank you very much for choosing to write about this topic. I hope to get to read some of your other articles even though a year has passed! 🙂

“I am so grateful for your blog post.Thanks Again. Really Great.”

Let’s take Finland as a bright example of a country that successfully refused of assigning homework to schoolers. They do not do homework, just think about it, not looking for homework helpers or smth else.It shows that not doing homework doesn’t prevent you from going to college and getting a decent job. Every two of three Finnish students go to college and it’s the best index in Europe.

Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

thanks to Roberto Nevilis students don’t have any free time!

I agree with you

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Who Invented Homework, and Why Was Homework Invented? Let’s Explore!

If you are or have ever been a student, you have probably asked this question multiple times, and it hardly was to thank the person who invented homework personally. We all know that feeling all too well—the deadline is looming, you’re staring at a blank page, and there isn’t a single viable idea in your head.

Sounds familiar? Then you’re likely curious to investigate the history of homework and the cruel, cruel people who stand behind this centuries-old tradition. It’s quite fascinating, actually, and you will most certainly be surprised at how long and turbulent the history of giving learners homework is.

When, How, Why, and Who Invented Homework

To answer the question of who the title of the inventor of homework belongs to, we will have to go all the way back to the first century, then jump to eighteenth-century Europe, and finally move domestically to explore the trials and errors of the homework tradition in the U.S.

Some of the names we will address here include:

• Pliny the Younger —The Roman lawyer and author credited with the “invention” of homework,
• Johann Gottlieb Fichte —The German philosopher who developed the ideological justification of homework,
• Horace Mann —The first known American educator who made homework the norm in the U.S., and more.

Let’s dive in.

Who Created Homework and Why—How Everything Started

So, who started homework? The simplistic answer would be the Roman lawyer Pliny the Younger, who we’ll discuss in more detail below. However, it’s not that simple. It never is when it comes to homework, a tradition that could have existed long before it was linked to any historical artifacts and, therefore, lost to history.

After all, as much as almost every student despises homework, its number one purpose (or, at least, what we perceive as its number one purpose today) is self-evident. Most teachers genuinely care about their learners’ progress and academic achievements, so it’s no wonder they give home assignments to help students improve their learning.

As a result, it’s no wonder students are looking for an EssayPro review or WritePapers review to find someone reputable who can help them cope with loads of homework.

However, as you will soon find out, making progress in learning is only one of the many homework goals. Historically, it hasn’t even always been the most important one. Societal events, dominant philosophical schools, and individual educational reformers have always affected the mainstream view of homework and its perceived functions.

We invite you to join us on a journey through centuries (and then back again), where we will try to understand the origins, evolution, and current state of the homework tradition. If nothing else, you might have a chance to impress your friends at a trivia night.

Pliny the Younger

Have you already thought of the Roman Empire this week? If not, now’s your chance. The first name historians come across when looking for the origins of homework is Pliny the Younger, a Roman magistrate, lawyer, and brilliant orator in the first century A.D.

Pliny the Younger had students like many other distinguished authors and public speakers in Rome. He taught rhetoric and public speaking and—you guessed it—tasked his students with practicing their speech composing and public speaking skills even outside his classes. Also, Pliny actively encouraged them to put their newly acquired skills to practice in appropriate settings.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte

Here comes a huge time jump—to eighteenth-century Germany. Sure, homework probably existed between the Roman times and the eighteenth century. However, nothing groundbreaking happened to it during all those centuries, so there’s no point in retelling every little step.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte was a German philosopher in post-Napoleon Europe who advocated for a uniform national education system, similar to other voices of German idealism. He emphasized that teaching the youth was as much about instilling a sense of national identity in them as teaching them traditional disciplines. For Fichte, homework was one of the strategies for achieving that.

Horace Mann

At this point, you might wonder, “What about the U.S.?” Well, the title of the pioneer of homework in the New World belongs to Horace Mann, otherwise known as “the father of the American public school system.” In the nineteenth century, education for children was still not compulsory, and Mann advocated for changing that.

Mann was the first educator to emphasize the role of parents in every child’s learning journey. He believed homework could reinforce the lessons taught in school, teach the youth self-discipline and improve their relationships with parents. He added a new layer to why homework was invented and made mainstream.

Roberto Nevilis: What Was His Role in the Origins of Homework?

The first thing you need to know about Roberto Nevilis is that he didn’t exist. A popular myth suggests that Nevilis invented homework at the beginning of the twentieth century as a form of punishment for students who didn’t work hard enough in class. That’s completely untrue.

Here are a few facts about Roberto Nevilis. According to the legend, Roberto Nevilis was an Italian teacher who lived at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century in Venice, Italy. He was supposedly the first educator to give homework to his students, which allegedly happened in 1905. If you look up his (more or less fictional) “story” online, you will find that he initially only gave home assignments to students who failed to understand the material in class or weren’t diligent enough.

Why did Roberto Nevilis create homework? As you can probably guess by now, the more accurate question would be, “Why would someone bother to invent the person named Roberto Nevilis and credit this semi-fictional character with inventing homework?” Sadly, though, there’s no clear answer. Whoever did this wanted students or the general public to believe that the number one purpose of homework was punishment for poor performance. That’s not the case.

Was the History of Homework in the United States Any Different?

Now, let’s move beyond Horace Mann’s name and explore homework history in the Americas or, more specifically, the U.S. One of the first questions people curious about the topic ask is, “What year was homework invented in the United States?” There’s no straightforward answer to this, either. All we know is that homework started becoming a standard practice somewhere on the cusp of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries—largely thanks to Mann’s effort.

The U.S. wasn’t any different from other countries in that the mainstream views on homework evolved with societal norms (which, in turn, shaped educational priorities). For example, by the beginning of the twentieth century, the idea became more or less universal: homework promoted students’ growth beyond learning the material taught in class. Educators believed it was also helpful for building character and applying the knowledge gained in practical contexts.

However, the beginning of the twentieth century was also when the progressive education movement grew increasingly popular. Among other things, its proponents advocated against homework because they believed that it contracted the fundamentals of child-centered learning. The opposing views on giving home assignments coexisted side by side; to an extent, they still do.

The Ban on Homework in the 1900s

The 1900s was the first time in American history since homework origin when it became very popular to reject the need for homework. The progressive movement grew more influential by the day, eventually culminating in the homework ban.

From being the underdogs of sorts, homework’s progressive critics turned into the loudest voice in the education system, and their demands were eventually met, albeit not everywhere.

Their arguments were straightforward and understandable, at least to an extent. They claimed that homework got in the way of students’ socializing after school hours, interfered with the family dynamics, and strained students’ physical and mental health.

The Need for Children’s Domestic Labor in the 1930s

The 1930s wasn’t a good time for the first homework advocates. This was when the Great Depression hit the U.S. severely and put the economic crisis at the forefront of basically everything happening in the country, including education.

More and more parents came forward demanding the end of homework because they needed their children to help at home—be it with domestic labor, farming, or anything else.

Parents’ demands were fruitful. The educational practices of the 1930s stemmed from the idea that outside of school hours, students should be able to focus on their lives at home without the additional burden of homework.

The Post-World War II Shift in the Views on Homework

The situation changed drastically after World War II. If you’re wondering how old is homework the way we know it today, that’s when it started.

First, the nation was thriving economically, which made it possible to focus on the importance of education. Also, as the Cold War started, the value of education became more apparent than ever. The U.S. needed well-educated citizens who could contribute to technological advancements and effectively protect the nation’s security.

For example, when the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, one of the main debates in the American media was about young people’s readiness to remain competitive on a global scale.

How Homework Looks for American Children in the 21st Century

Today, we can still see some of the dilemmas surrounding the topic over a century ago. For example, there are two clear camps: educators who believe homework is necessary for academic achievement and their colleagues who don’t think that to become a well-rounded and successful individual, a child must spend hours daily completing home assignments.

Still, the most popular view is quite well-balanced. The main idea behind that is maximizing the educational benefits of homework while minimizing its potential drawbacks. This implies setting reasonable limits on the amount of homework, designing meaningful assignments, and prioritizing students’ holistic development.

Otherwise, being overloaded with homework often leads students to search for an EssayPro promo code to hire expert academic helpers without breaking the bank. Many view it as the only way to have proper rest.

What’s the Purpose of Homework?

Even a child knows the number one reason they must do their homework (even if they don’t necessarily agree). Obviously, the main purpose of homework is to help students better digest the material they learn in class.

But that’s not the only one. Other goals of homework include:

• To teach students how to work independently and think critically;
• To motivate students to prepare for upcoming lessons (thus making the teacher’s job a little easier);
• To encourage responsibility and organization;
• To cultivate collaboration skills (via group assignments);
• To strengthen the child-parent bond, and more.

What’s the Impact of Homework on the Quality of Education

So, how does homework improve the quality of education?

• Promotes understanding and reflection.
• Improves study habits and time management.
• Makes it possible for teachers to give anonymous and personalized feedback to each student.
• Prepares students for standardized assessments (such as SATs).
• Supports diverse learning needs.

The Pros of Homework

The complete list of the advantages of homework would be too long to include here, but here are some of the undeniable benefits of giving the students at least some work to do at home:

✅ Reinforces learning

✅ Promotes independent learning

✅ Develops positive study habits

✅ Increases retention

✅ Facilitates parental involvement

✅ Enables customized learning, and so on.

The Cons of Homework

At the same time, even the most adamant proponents of homework recognize that the tradition does have its flaws. The drawbacks of homework include the following:

❌ Causes extra stress and anxiety

❌ Gets in the way of students’ relationships with family members and social lives

❌ Might get in the way of healthy extracurricular activities, such as sports

❌ Creates additional pressure on teachers.

Who made homework a thing?

Why was homework invented have the reasons changed since then, is homework really necessary for effective learning, when was homework first invented did it look the same, how does homework look today who writes the rules.

As you can see, homework history—both in the U.S. and worldwide—has been quite turbulent. Much to today’s students’ envy, there were times when it was illegal, at least in some places.

However, now is not one of those periods. While some non-mainstream educational systems and paradigms deny the need for homework, most educators believe that the benefits of homework outweigh its flaws. The key is to design genuinely stimulating and engaging assignments and avoid overdoing things. Students should be able to relax after school hours without the risk of falling behind.

If you ask an average teacher these days, they will probably tell you that the optimal amount of homework per week is roughly 7-10 hours. That’s enough to practice what was learned in class and engage with the material critically. At the same time, it’s not too much, so the risks of causing students extra stress and harming their social lives are very unlikely.

What matters the most is not how much homework a teacher gives but how creative and stimulating the assignments are. Ideally, students should be excited to complete them.

You Might Also Be Interested In

The History of Homework: Why Was it Invented and Who Was Behind It?

• By Emily Summers
• February 14, 2020

Homework is long-standing education staple, one that many students hate with a fiery passion. We can’t really blame them, especially if it’s a primary source of stress that can result in headaches, exhaustion, and lack of sleep.

It’s not uncommon for students, parents, and even some teachers to complain about bringing assignments home. Yet, for millions of children around the world, homework is still a huge part of their daily lives as students — even if it continues to be one of their biggest causes of stress and unrest.

It makes one wonder, who in their right mind would invent such a thing as homework?

Who Invented Homework?

Pliny the younger: when in ancient rome, horace mann: the father of modern homework, the history of homework in america, 1900s: anti-homework sentiment & homework bans, 1930: homework as child labor, early-to-mid 20th century: homework and the progressive era, the cold war: homework starts heating up, 1980s: homework in a nation at risk, early 21 st century, state of homework today: why is it being questioned, should students get homework pros of cons of bringing school work home.

Online, there are many articles that point to Roberto Nevilis as the first educator to give his students homework. He created it as a way to punish his lazy students and ensure that they fully learned their lessons. However, these pieces of information mostly come from obscure educational blogs or forum websites with questionable claims. No credible news source or website has ever mentioned the name Roberto Nevilis as the person who invented homework . In fact, it’s possible that Nevilis never even existed.

As we’re not entirely sure who to credit for creating the bane of students’ existence and the reasons why homework was invented, we can use a few historical trivia to help narrow down our search.

Mentions of the term “homework” date back to as early as ancient Rome. In I century AD, Pliny the Younger , an oratory teacher, supposedly invented homework by asking his followers to practice public speaking at home. It was to help them become more confident and fluent in their speeches. But some would argue that the assignment wasn’t exactly the type of written work that students have to do at home nowadays. Only introverted individuals with a fear of public speaking would find it difficult and stressful.

It’s also safe to argue that since homework is an integral part of education, it’s probable that it has existed since the dawn of learning, like a beacon of light to all those helpless and lost (or to cast darkness on those who despise it). This means that Romans, Enlightenment philosophers, and Middle Age monks all read, memorized, and sang pieces well before homework was given any definition. It’s harder to play the blame game this way unless you want to point your finger at Horace Mann.

In the 19 th century, Horace Mann , a politician and educational reformer had a strong interest in the compulsory public education system of Germany as a newly unified nation-state. Pupils attending the Volksschulen or “People’s Schools” were given mandatory assignments that they needed to complete at home during their own time. This requirement emphasized the state’s power over individuals at a time when nationalists such as Johann Gottlieb Fichte were rallying support for a unified German state. Basically, the state used homework as an element of power play.

Despite its political origins, the system of bringing school assignments home spread across Europe and eventually found their way to Horace Mann, who was in Prussia at that time. He brought the system home with him to America where homework became a daily activity in the lives of students.

Despite homework being a near-universal part of the American educational experience today, it hasn’t always been universally accepted. Take a look at its turbulent history in America.

In 1901, just a few decades after Horace Mann introduced the concept to Americans, homework was banned in the Pacific state of California . The ban affected students younger than 15 years old and stayed in effect until 1917.

Around the same time, prominent publications such as The New York Times and Ladies’ Home Journal published statements from medical professionals and parents who stated that homework was detrimental to children’s health.

In 1930, the American Child Health Association declared homework as a type of child labor . Since laws against child labor had been passed recently during that time, the proclamation painted homework as unacceptable educational practice, making everyone wonder why homework was invented in the first place.

However, it’s keen to note that one of the reasons why homework was so frowned upon was because children were needed to help out with household chores (a.k.a. a less intensive and more socially acceptable form of child labor).

During the progressive education reforms of the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, educators started looking for ways to make homework assignments more personal and relevant to the interests of individual students. Maybe this was how immortal essay topics such as “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” and “What I Did During My Summer Vacation” were born.

After World War II, the Cold War heated up rivalries between the U.S. and Russia. Sputnik 1’s launch in 1957 intensified the competition between Americans and Russians – including their youth.

Education authorities in the U.S. decided that implementing rigorous homework to American students of all ages was the best way to ensure that they were always one step ahead of their Russian counterparts, especially in the competitive fields of Math and Science.

In 1986, the U.S. Department of Education’s pamphlet, “What Works,” included homework as one of the effective strategies to boost the quality of education. This came three years after the National Commission on Excellence in Education published “ Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform .” The landmark report lambasted the state of America’s schools, calling for reforms to right the alarming direction that public education was headed.

Today, many educators, students, parents, and other concerned citizens have once again started questioning why homework was invented and if it’s still valuable.

Homework now is facing major backlash around the world. With more than 60% of high school and college students seeking counselling for conditions such as clinical depression and anxiety, all of which are brought about by school, it’s safe to say that American students are more stressed out than they should be.

After sitting through hours at school, they leave only to start on a mountain pile of homework. Not only does it take up a large chunk of time that they can otherwise spend on their hobbies and interests, it also stops them from getting enough sleep. This can lead to students experiencing physical health problems, a lack of balance in their lives, and alienation from their peers and society in general.

Is homework important and necessary ? Or is it doing more harm than good? Here some key advantages and disadvantages to consider.

• It encourages the discipline of practice

Using the same formula or memorizing the same information over and over can be difficult and boring, but it reinforces the practice of discipline. To master a skill, repetition is often needed. By completing homework every night, specifically with difficult subjects, the concepts become easier to understand, helping students polish their skills and achieve their life goals.

• It teaches students to manage their time

Homework goes beyond just completing tasks. It encourages children to develop their skills in time management as schedules need to be organized to ensure that all tasks can be completed within the day.

• It provides more time for students to complete their learning process

The time allotted for each subject in school is often limited to 1 hour or less per day. That’s not enough time for students to grasp the material and core concepts of each subject. By creating specific homework assignments, it becomes possible for students to make up for the deficiencies in time.

• It discourages creative endeavors

If a student spends 3-5 hours a day on homework, those are 3-5 hours that they can’t use to pursue creative passions. Students might like to read leisurely or take up new hobbies but homework takes away their time from painting, learning an instrument, or developing new skills.

• Homework is typically geared toward benchmarks

Teachers often assign homework to improve students’ test scores. Although this can result in positive outcomes such as better study habits, the fact is that when students feel tired, they won’t likely absorb as much information. Their stress levels will go up and they’ll feel the curriculum burnout.

• No evidence that homework creates improvements

Research shows that homework doesn’t improve academic performance ; it can even make it worse. Homework creates a negative attitude towards schooling and education, making students dread going to their classes. If they don’t like attending their lessons, they will be unmotivated to listen to the discussions.

With all of the struggles that students face each day due to homework, it’s puzzling to understand why it was even invented. However, whether you think it’s helpful or not, just because the concept has survived for centuries doesn’t mean that it has to stay within the educational system.

Not all students care about the history of homework, but they all do care about the future of their educational pursuits. Maybe one day, homework will be fully removed from the curriculum of schools all over the world but until that day comes, students will have to burn the midnight oil to pass their requirements on time and hopefully achieve their own versions of success.

About the Author

Emily summers.

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Debunking the Myth of Roberto Nevilis: Who Really Invented Homework?

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Busting the Myth of Roberto Nevilis – Who Actually Invented Homework?

Homework is an indispensable piece of the instructive procedure in the American education system. It makes learning simpler and progressively powerful. However, all of us who have attended classes in an educational institute remember the frustration of hearing the word homework from our teacher’s mouth. Before the end of the class, we would be instructed to write an essay or answer a few questions on what we had just been taught.

I am sure many students must have been curious enough to try and find out which genius came up with the idea of homework. A student would have probably looked it up while struggling with a particular homework assignment. Who was it who believed that homework would magically transform the educational system overnight?

The search would have come with a man named Roberto Nevellis who invented homework to punish his students who did not perform at par with the others. But like many other things on the internet, this isn’t a fact. Thankfully students looking to master a subject, or require online homework help can connect with online tutors and homework help services.

Who was Roberto Nevilis?

There isn’t a single credible website or a news article about this man who changed the educational system all over the world. According to a lot of websites, Nevilis was a teacher in Venice and allegedly invented homework as a means of punishing students who did not perform well in class. Some sites claim the year was 1095 while others claim it was 1905.

Neither of these can a possibility. In the year 1095, there was no formal system of education in and around Europe. It was a time when Pope Urban II had just started preaching the First Crusade after the Byzantium delegation asked for his help against the Turks. I am sure Mr. Nevilis would have found it very hard to teach a class during those times, let alone hand out homework. Even in the year 1500, private tutors were employed to teach the English nobility.

It could not have been 1905 either because 4 years before that, in 1901, the state of California passed an act to ban homework for any child studying below the 8th grade. The law was passed because during that period homework was frowned upon by parents. They felt that homework interfered with a child’s time for house chores. Sweet times, right? Anyway, Mr. Nevilis couldn’t have been spreading the idea of homework telepathically before he started practicing it himself.

Ancient Education

Historically homework existed in one form or another ever since the inception of education in the earliest civilizations. Singing, poetry, playing instruments, even the study of the bible required reading and practice at home. In ancient times only the wealthy were educated because all the teachers taught privately.

The rest of the society was busy with making a living. The earliest evidence of education in formal settings comes from the Sumerian civilization. In the Sumerian society, schools were called Edubas where scribes learned how to read and write on cuneiform or clay tablets. However archaeological evidence only found the exercises etched in the tablets. There are no inscriptions about the educational system.

Father of the Homework System

While the label of homework inventor cannot be pinned on one person, Johann Gottlieb Fichte can be called the father of the modern homework system. Johann Gottlieb Fichte was a German philosopher and known to be the founding father of German nationalism. In the year 1814, the people of Prussia had lost their sense of nationalism. They are choosing to go back to their livelihood instead of serving the country after the war.

Johann Gottlieb Fichte came up with the concept of Volksschule and Realschule. Volksschule was a mandatory education system of nine years which was similar to primary and lower secondary school. Realschule was a secondary school system reserved for the aristocrats. Homework was a part of Volkschule to demonstrate the nation’s power on common people and stir up a sense of nationalism.

This system was slowly adopted all over Europe, although some countries like Finland continued with their system of education and refused to impose homework on the students. In 1843, Horace Mann , the secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education then, went to Europe and visited the schools in Prussia. On his return, he presented his findings in the seventh annual reports of the board. These reports were reprinted all over the United States and led to the reform of the American educational system.

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Interesting related article: “ Top schools to study business .”

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Is Roberto Nevilis the inventor of homework?

There is a claim that Roberto Nevilis invented homework in 1905 (sic). And it doesn't seem to be a recent meme - there are tons of pics for this meme claiming:

The person who invented homework was an Italian teacher named Roberto Nevilis. He invented Howework (sic) in 1905 (sic) as a punishment for his sutdents. (sic)

To what extent is this claim true?

• 3 Makes me sic just thinking about it. –  Daniel R Hicks Commented Sep 6, 2017 at 1:45

No. Homework was around before 1905 :

In 1901, the California legislature passed an act that effectively abolished homework

So homework was around in 1901, which is before 1905.

I think you mean 1095.

A lot of websites seem to claim this, but the only ones that actually reference their source direct to Wiki Answers .

Scientists believed that Roberto Nevilis from Italy started homework in 1095. He was a school teacher in Venice.

This seems a little dodgy for a few reasons:

"Scientists believed" - surely it would be Historians? What Science is being done to determine it here? And why is it believed not believe? It seems a little made up.

"Roberto Nevilis" - there is nothing online about him except for sources similar to Wiki Answers (which I wouldn't say counts as a source). Roberto is an Italian name, but Nevilis seems to be made up. I checked with a number of Last Name sites, and only one found this surname , from a single person in the USA.

This seems to be getting more and more terse.

Now, education in Italy in 1095 was probably very minimal. In 1095 the Pope was organising the first crusade , and an organised education system wasn't created untill 1859 . While it is likely that there was some schooling ( based on English History ) there was very little:

Education was still largely about vocational training and most pupils were still intending monks or priests, though 'there was probably an occasional extension, and there are certainly some recorded cases of the education of young members of royal and noble families'.

Note that the Romans did have schools, but by 1095, the Roman empire had well and truly fallen .

So it is likely that there was education, but probably not schools in the same way. Instead, nobility would have been taught in their homes, by tutors :

Henry VIII's education benefited from the instruction of many tutors

So there would have been little concept of homework from that time because all work was done at home.

The idea that homework was invented because of the expense of the presence of tutors also falls down here - royals typically have a lot of money .

Finally, there is a photograph attached to the quote. The image is of Burritt Haynes ( found on this reverse image search ), and he is from Winneshiek County, Iowa. So not even Italian. Also, it's a photograph. Not a painting.

So, I doubt the claim made here.

• 5 "but by 1095, the Roman empire had well and truly fallen" - however, the Byzantine empire was still alive (the eastern half of the Roman empire), although I'm not sure that they had schooling. Although, I would bet that the Middle East & Asia had proper schooling before Europe. –  hichris123 Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 0:41
• 9 That's a pretty good photograph for 1095! –  GEdgar Commented Oct 17, 2015 at 20:19
• 3 The last name site you linked isn't 100% reliable. I've looked up my own last name on it (It's uncommon, only around 30 people have it) and there was no results. Most likely because no kid of this name was born since 1995. So rare or "extinct" surnames may not appear on this kind of sites at all. –  Babika Babaka Commented Aug 17, 2016 at 7:35
• 1 @Tim I don't see the connection between calling for a crusade and not having good education. Also note that Henry VIII's education happened about 400 years after 1095, so I don't really see the connection there. Also, there were both Cathedral Schools and Monastic Schools all over Europe, both of which would have been likely to contain Italians at pretty much any point in time. They weren't primary education, but that doesn't really conflict the idea of homework as punishment. –  sgf Commented Jul 2, 2017 at 9:17
• 5 @Communisty Actually, the question is asking about 1905 (and it mentions it multiple times). Please be careful before you edit. –  Tim Commented Sep 5, 2017 at 15:10

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Who Invented Homework and Why

Who Invented Homework

Italian pedagog, Roberto Nevilis, was believed to have invented homework back in 1905 to help his students foster productive studying habits outside of school. However, we'll sound find out that the concept of homework has been around for much longer.                                                                                                                                                              

Homework, which most likely didn't have a specific term back then, already existed even in ancient civilizations. Think Greece, Rome, and even ancient Egypt. Over time, homework became standardized in our educational systems. This happened naturally over time, as the development of the formal education system continued.                                                        

In this article, we're going to attempt to find out who invented homework, and when was homework invented, and we're going to uncover if the creator of homework is a single person or a group of them. Read this article through to the end to find out.

Who Created Homework and When?

The concept of homework predates modern educational systems, with roots in ancient Rome. However, Roberto Nevilis is often, yet inaccurately, credited with inventing homework in 1905.Depending on various sources, this invention is dated either in the year 1095 or 1905.

The invention of homework is commonly attributed to Roberto Nevilis, an Italian pedagog who is said to have introduced it as a form of punishment for his students in 1905. However, the concept of homework predates Nevilis and has roots that go back much further in history.

The practice of assigning students work to be done outside of class time can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as Rome, where Pliny the Younger (AD 61–113) encouraged his students to practice public speaking at home to improve their oratory skills.

It's important to note that the idea of formalized homework has evolved significantly over centuries, influenced by educational theories and pedagogical developments. The purpose and nature of homework have been subjects of debate among educators, with opinions varying on its effectiveness and impact on student learning and well-being.

It might be impossible to answer when was homework invented. A simpler question to ask is ‘what exactly is homework?’.

If you define it as work assigned to do outside of a formal educational setup, then homework might be as old as humanity itself. When most of what people studied were crafts and skills, practicing them outside of dedicated learning times may as well have been considered homework.

Let’s look at a few people who have been credited with formalizing homework over the past few thousand years. 

Roberto Nevilis

Stories and speculations on the internet claim Roberto Nevilis is the one who invented school homework, or at least was the first person to assign homework back in 1905.

Who was he? He was an Italian educator who lived in Venice. He wanted to discipline and motivate his class of lackluster students. Unfortunately, claims online lack factual basis and strong proof that Roberto did invent homework.                                                                                                        

Homework, as a concept, predates Roberto, and can't truly be assigned to a sole inventor. Moreover, it's hard to quantify where an idea truly emerges, because many ideas emerge from different parts of the world simultaneously or at similar times, therefore it's hard to truly pinpoint who invented this idea.

Pliny the Younger

Another culprit according to the internet lived a thousand years before Roberto Nevilis. Pliny the Younger was an oratory teacher in the first century AD in the Roman Empire.

He apparently asked his students to practice their oratory skills at home, which some people consider one of the first official versions of homework.

It is difficult to say with any certainty if this is the first time homework was assigned though because the idea of asking students to practice something outside classes probably existed in every human civilization for millennia. 

Horace Mann

To answer the question of who invented homework and why, at least in the modern sense, we have to talk about Horace Mann. Horace Mann was an American educator and politician in the 19th century who was heavily influenced by movements in the newly-formed German state.

He is credited for bringing massive educational reform to America, and can definitely be considered the father of modern homework in the United States. However, his ideas were heavily influenced by the founding father of German nationalism Johann Gottlieb Fichte. 

After the defeat of Napoleon and the liberation of Prussia in 1814, citizens went back to their own lives, there was no sense of national pride or German identity. Johann Gottlieb Fichte came up with the idea of Volkschule, a mandatory 9-year educational system provided by the government to combat this.

Homework already existed in Germany at this point in time but it became a requirement in Volkschule. Fichte wasn't motivated purely by educational reform, he wanted to demonstrate the positive impact and power of a centralized government, and assigning homework was a way of showing the state's power to influence personal and public life.

This effort to make citizens more patriotic worked and the system of education and homework slowly spread through Europe.

Horace Mann saw the system at work during a trip to Prussia in the 1840s and brought many of the concepts to America, including homework.   

Who Invented Homework and Why?

Homework's history and objectives have evolved significantly over time, reflecting changing educational goals. Now, that we've gone through its history a bit, let's try to understand the "why". The people or people who made homework understood the advantages of it. Let's consider the following:                                                  

• Repetition, a key factor in long-term memory retention, is a primary goal of homework. It helps students solidify class-learned information. This is especially true in complex subjects like physics, where physics homework help can prove invaluable to learning effectively.
• Homework bridges classroom learning with real-world applications, enhancing memory and understanding.
• It identifies individual student weaknesses, allowing focused efforts to address them.
• Working independently at their own pace, students can overcome the distractions and constraints of a classroom setting through homework.
• By creating a continuous learning flow, homework shifts the perspective from viewing each school day as isolated to seeing education as an ongoing process.
• Homework is crucial for subjects like mathematics and sciences, where repetition is necessary to internalize complex processes.
• It's a tool for teachers to maximize classroom time, focusing on expanding understanding rather than just drilling fundamentals.
• Responsibility is a key lesson from homework. Students learn to manage time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Research skills get honed through homework as students gather information from various sources.
• Students' creative potential is unleashed in homework, free from classroom constraints.

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Who Invented Homework: Development in the 1900s

Thanks to Horace Mann, homework had become widespread in the American schooling system by 1900, but it wasn't universally popular amongst either students or parents. 

The early 1900s homework bans

In 1901, California became the first state to ban homework. Since homework had made its way into the American educational system there had always been people who were against it for some surprising reasons.

Back then, children were expected to help on farms and family businesses, so homework was unpopular amongst parents who expected their children to help out at home. Many students also dropped out of school early because they found homework tedious and difficult.

Publications like Ladies' Home Journal and The New York Times printed statements and articles about the detrimental effects of homework on children's health. 

The 1930 child labor laws

Homework became more common in the U.S. around the early 1900s. As to who made homework mandatory, the question remains open, but its emergence in the mainstream sure proved beneficial. Why is this?

Well, in 1930, child labor laws were created. It aimed to protect children from being exploited for labor and it made sure to enable children to have access to education and schooling. The timing was just right.

Speaking of homework, if you’re reading this article and have homework you need to attend to, send a “ do my homework ” request on Studyfy and instantly get the help of a professional right now.

Progressive reforms of the 1940s and 50s

With more research into education, psychology and memory, the importance of education became clear. Homework was understood as an important part of education and it evolved to become more useful and interesting to students. 

Homework during the Cold War

Competition with the Soviet Union fueled many aspects of American life and politics. In a post-nuclear world, the importance of Science and Technology was evident.

The government believed that students had to be well-educated to compete with Soviet education systems. This is the time when homework became formalized, accepted, and a fundamental part of the American educational system. 

1980s Nation at Risk

In 1983 the National Commission on Excellence in Education published Nation at Risk:

The Imperative for Educational Reform, a report about the poor condition of education in America.  Still in the Cold War, this motivated the government in 1986 to talk about the benefits of homework in a pamphlet called “What Works” which highlighted the importance of homework. 

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Who Invented Homework: The Modern Homework Debate

Like it or not, homework has stuck through the times, remaining a central aspect in education since the end of the Cold War in 1991. So, who invented homework 😡 and when was homework invented?

We’ve tried to pinpoint different sources, and we’ve understood that many historical figures have contributed to its conception.

Horace Mann, in particular, was the man who apparently introduced homework in the U.S. But let’s reframe our perspective a bit. Instead of focusing on who invented homework, let’s ask ourselves why homework is beneficial in the first place. Let’s consider the pros and cons:

• Homework potentially enhances memory.
• Homework helps cultivate time management, self-learning, discipline, and cognitive skills.
• An excessive amount of work can cause mental health issues and burnout.
• Rigid homework tasks can take away time for productive and leisurely activities like arts and sports.

Meaningful homework tasks can challenge us and enrich our knowledge on certain topics, but too much homework can actually be detrimental. This is where Studyfy can be invaluable. Studyfy offers homework help.

All you need to do is click the “ do my assignment ” button and send us a request. Need instant professional help? You know where to go now.

Frequently asked questions

Who made homework.

As stated throughout the article, there was no sole "inventor of homework." We've established that homework has already existed in ancient civilizations, where people were assigned educational tasks to be done at home. 

Let's look at ancient Greece; for example, students at the Academy of Athens were expected to recite and remember epic poems outside of their institutions. Similar practices were going on in ancient Egypt, China and Rome. 

This is why we can't ascertain the sole inventor of homework. While history can give us hints that homework was practiced in different civilizations, it's not far-fetched to believe that there have been many undocumented events all across the globe that happened simultaneously where homework emerged. 

Why was homework invented? 

We've answered the question of "who invented homework 😡" and we've recognized that we cannot pinpoint it to one sole inventor. So, let's get back to the question of why homework was invented. 

Homework arose from educational institutions, remained, and probably was invented because teachers and educators wanted to help students reinforce what they learned during class. They also believed that homework could improve memory and cognitive skills over time, as well as instill a sense of discipline. 

In other words, homework's origins can be linked to academic performance and regular students practice. Academic life has replaced the anti-homework sentiment as homework bans proved to cause partial learning and a struggle to achieve conceptual clarity.

Speaking of, don't forget that Studyfy can help you with your homework, whether it's Python homework help or another topic. Don't wait too long to take advantage of expert help when you can do it now. 

Is homework important for my learning journey?

Now that we've answered questions on who created homework and why it was invented, we can ask ourselves if homework is crucial in our learning journey. 

At the end of the day, homework can be a crucial step to becoming more knowledgeable and disciplined over time. 

Exercising our memory skills, learning independently without a teacher obliging us, and processing new information are all beneficial to our growth and evolution. However, whether a homework task is enriching or simply a filler depends on the quality of education you're getting. 

Uncover the truth about Roberto Nevilis and homework

Roberto Nevilis is an Italian educator often credited by the internet as the inventor of homework. He allegedly taught at an Italian public school in Venice in the late 19th century and is believed to have formally started assigning homework to his students to reinforce what they learned outside the classroom setting.[i] 

While most proponents claim he is the first educator to assign common homework assignments, some historians argue that homework existed before Nevilis' era and that his contribution to the educational system may have involved formalizing its practice. It is difficult to deal with this bone of contention because Nevilis' contributions remain hidden and are not well-documented. This problem makes it difficult to ascertain whether Roberto Nevilis invented homework. Read on to explore the life of Nevilis and how it supposedly influenced education. 

Who Invented Homework?

Those with a formal education background need no reminders about the frustration of getting math homework. Too much homework spoils a rocking summer and an absolute mood-killer whenever it comes up in an argument. It is agonizing to answer certain sections of a page or book or to write an essay concerning a topic you just discussed.  

As you can tell, some of us were not fans of getting more homework. It was a time-consuming exercise, which, coupled with house chores, extra-curricular activities, and other social tasks, meant that someone would have limited time to enjoy their hobbies before they needed some sleep. Nonetheless, as the national education association shows, getting teachers to give assignments as part of public education helps every student in their educational career as it improves their grade levels.

Who is Roberto Nevilis?

Some students want less homework for more free time; however, few are curious enough to learn about homework's invention. Whether the feeling is good or bad, homework is a staple of contemporary education systems. Still, few people can answer the question, "Who is Roberto Nevilis?" Widely stated -- on the internet -- as the inventor of homework, Nevilis is a late 19th-century Italian educator. He was the alleged son of a wealthy Venetian merchant. Nevilis received a private education, later attending the University of Venice to pursue a degree in education. Once he graduated, the Italian teacher worked at different schools in Venice before he invented homework.

According to obscure educational blogs, Nevilis grew increasingly frustrated with his students as they could not work independently. They demonstrated a lack of discipline, with the majority focusing primarily on playing and paying little attention to the educational process. As a form of punishment and to increase students' academic performance, he devised a clever concept, homework. Nevilis assigned his students modern homework as a form of punishment and to reinforce what they learned during the day at night. He also did so as a way to mold their conception of learning. With the knowledge of who invented homework, it is prudent to see whether it helped learners spend their life outside class more effectively.

The Effects of Giving Children Homework

Nevilis noted an increased retention capacity in his students. They were also more responsible and took their studies a bit more seriously. The idea of homework quickly gained prominence among parents and classes in Italy, with other teachers following Nevilis' lead. In time, the practice of giving children homework would reach other European countries and eventually spread to the rest of the world.

Currently, homework is a staple around the globe and forms part of the standard practice in education systems spanning the world. Millions of students worldwide spend countless hours sitting and groaning at a screen or writing pad to meet a chosen deadline for their homework assignments. According to the internet, they have Roberto Nevilis to thank for that.

When Was Roberto Nevilis Born?

Nevilis was born in Venice, Italy, in the late 16th century and worked as a public school teacher in the area where he wanted to improve his students' educational experience. He realized that schools limited how children were taught, preventing them from gaining a sense of autonomy in class as they would spend more hours learning outside the class, demonstrating greater real-life application of their lessons.

He realized that teaching students in a class without additional aids to his teaching had limitations. Nevilis then looked for a way to reinforce students' education outside school. In this period, Nevilis is said to have borne the concept of homework. 

Nevilis Creates Homework

The notion of homework is not attributable to the man named Roberto Nevilis, according to critics. Academics maintain that homework existed in informal ways even before Nevilis' time. Educators would often assign tasks to students to work on at home or give them study materials for independent review. Nonetheless, Nevilis is believed by proponents to have formalized the homework assignment trend by constantly assigning homework to his students. 

Nevilis sought to extend the learning process past the classroom by introducing homework. He realized that the growth of independent study skills, the reinforcement of concepts, and the chance to apply new knowledge and practice are crucial to a student's academic skills. 

Assigning students homework allows them to dive deeper into their subjects, revise their classroom material, and cement their understanding of different topics. Additionally, assigning children homework encouraged Nevilis' students to take responsibility for their learning and gain time management, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills. Via homework, students can get feedback from their teachers, discern areas for growth, and participate in a more active learning experience. 

Why Did Roberto Nevilis Create Homework?

Born in late 16th century Venice, Nevilis was privy to one of Europe's greatest cultural and intellectual advancements. Venice was a hub of learning and art, offering a nurturing environment for a young Nevilis to pursue his passion for teaching children.[ii] From an early age, Nevilis demonstrated an inherent curiosity and a certain interest in boosting the educational experience for learners. Taking on a teaching career, he realized the limitations of classroom instruction that limited teacher-learner interaction.

It did not enable a teacher to assess students frequently, assessing their learning trajectory as they progressed. Roberto Nevilis' realization led him to look for creative ways he could reinforce student learning and enhance academic growth outside the school setting. 

Someone with a giant pile of homework would argue that Nevilis invented homework to punish humanity by adding subtle lessons and hours away from leisure. However, looking at the systematic assignment of questions and tasks involved in homework, one understands that it's a reinforcement and assessment tool for students. Nevilis' homework introduction gained prominence and was eventually adapted by other educational institutions. Homework became crucial to the educational system and gained international recognition. 

Educators and policymakers understood that it was a helpful tool to reinforce classroom learning. It filled the gap between student and teacher and promoted individual growth and achievement.  

Some people believe that Nevilis' innovations and experiments during his tenure as a Venetian public school teacher resulted in creating homework as a formal educational practice. It is essential to consider that we have yet to determine Nevilis' exact thought process and why he decided to assign homework to his students. However, the impact of homework's adoption in contemporary society is significant. 

The End Justifies the Means

Roberto Nevilis sought to lengthen the learning process beyond the physical constraints of a classroom. Assigning homework offered students the chance to solidify their understanding of different subjects.[iii] They could further conduct independent explorations on topics of interest. In this way, Nevilis' students developed critical skills such as self-discipline and time management. 

Regardless of the information scarcity about Nevilis' birth and early life. His contribution to education has had a lasting effect. The idea of homework, a concept he is believed to have formalized, has become integral to contemporary education systems worldwide. 

How Did Roberto Nevilis Die?

The exact circumstances surrounding the death of Nevilis remain unclear. Some people claim he was murdered, while other internet sources say he died in an accident. Still, a group dictates that Nevilis died peacefully in his sleep. However, no concrete evidence supports these theories, leading to speculation about what eventually happened to Nevilis. Proponents claim that, despite the mystery surrounding his death, the legacy of Nevilis lives on in the formalized education system.

The Name Roberto Nevilis is a Fallacy

While the tale of Nevilis is charming and shows how one teacher sought to revolutionize his teaching style to suit his students, it has significant potholes that make it subject to scrutiny. The first problem involves looking up the phrase, "Who invented homework". The discrepancies in dates from the search results, between 1095 and 1905, lead to further suspicion that Roberto Nevilis is a fabrication. 

Any good scholarly information should be supported by evidence; simply stating "experts say" or "scientists claim" without providing evidence to support the claim does not give it credence.[iv] Suspiciously, every "factual" piece of information on Nevilis is hearsay with no historical or scientific way to prove it. Despite its lovely innuendos, this story is not part of homework's origin.

In truth, homework has been part of human civilization for longer, dating back to some of the earliest civilizations. Education was a privilege for the wealthy in feudal times. Such a system could not support an individual who wanted to study philosophy or reading, as most of the population needed to make money constantly. Women born into wealth would receive training in womanly arts, while nobles and princesses gained a substantially better education, getting some schooling. Despite the varied differences between online quizzes, workbooks, and traditional educational practice, learners were required to read literary pieces during their free time. 

Who Can We Credit with Inventing Homework?

If Nevilis didn't do it, you might wonder who introduced school homework assignments as an integral part of the educational process. As with Nevilis, The man with a historical link to assignments cannot be deemed its inventor but is undoubtedly credited with its formalization.

While historians cannot pinpoint the exact inventor of homework, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a German philosopher, is credited with structuring homework as it is today (Ware, 2020). Also known as the father of German nationalism, Johann is grounded in facts in contrast with the fictitious Roberto Nevilis. 

Fichte created the Volkschule, a mandatory nine-year education system comparable to the state's primary and lower secondary education. He further mandated a Realschule, a secondary school available to aristocrats.[v] Individuals attending the Volkschule were given homework to indicate state power even within one's personal space. This system spread across Europe. However, despite its controversial origins, the invention of homework did not spread domineering traits, with countries such as Finland maintaining lax regulations on the practice. However, Horace Mann, an American, traveled to Prussia and adapted it to his home country's education system, leading to the evolution of homework into a global practice. 

So, the next time you wonder, ‘why did Roberto Nevilis invent homework?’ Remember, he may be a fictional character and not the inventor of homework. 

Do not get  essay writing services from someone who believes Roberto Nevilis is real. 

Get homework help services from  professional writers .

Referenced Sources

[i] Santana. “Origin and Death of Inventor of Homework: Roberto Nevilis.” Schooling, Homeschooling and WFH, February 6, 2023. https://remoteofficeschool.com/who-invented-homework-and-how-did-he-die/.

[ii] Zainab. “Who Invented Homework and When?” The Invented, May 12, 2022. https://theinvented.co/who-invented-homework/.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Awati, Rahul. “What Is Empiricism?” WhatIs.com, September 7, 2022. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/empiricism.

[v] Bishop, Edward. “Busting the Myth of Roberto Nevilis - Who Actually Invented Homework?” Market Business News, May 20, 2020. https://marketbusinessnews.com/myth-roberto-invented-homework/235125/.

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The Surprising History of Homework Reform

Really, kids, there was a time when lots of grownups thought homework was bad for you.

Homework causes a lot of fights. Between parents and kids, sure. But also, as education scholar Brian Gill and historian Steven Schlossman write, among U.S. educators. For more than a century, they’ve been debating how, and whether, kids should do schoolwork at home .

At the dawn of the twentieth century, homework meant memorizing lists of facts which could then be recited to the teacher the next day. The rising progressive education movement despised that approach. These educators advocated classrooms free from recitation. Instead, they wanted students to learn by doing. To most, homework had no place in this sort of system.

Through the middle of the century, Gill and Schlossman write, this seemed like common sense to most progressives. And they got their way in many schools—at least at the elementary level. Many districts abolished homework for K–6 classes, and almost all of them eliminated it for students below fourth grade.

By the 1950s, many educators roundly condemned drills, like practicing spelling words and arithmetic problems. In 1963, Helen Heffernan, chief of California’s Bureau of Elementary Education, definitively stated that “No teacher aware of recent theories could advocate such meaningless homework assignments as pages of repetitive computation in arithmetic. Such an assignment not only kills time but kills the child’s creative urge to intellectual activity.”

But, the authors note, not all reformers wanted to eliminate homework entirely. Some educators reconfigured the concept, suggesting supplemental reading or having students do projects based in their own interests. One teacher proposed “homework” consisting of after-school “field trips to the woods, factories, museums, libraries, art galleries.” In 1937, Carleton Washburne, an influential educator who was the superintendent of the Winnetka, Illinois, schools, proposed a homework regimen of “cooking and sewing…meal planning…budgeting, home repairs, interior decorating, and family relationships.”

Another reformer explained that “at first homework had as its purpose one thing—to prepare the next day’s lessons. Its purpose now is to prepare the children for fuller living through a new type of creative and recreational homework.”

That idea didn’t necessarily appeal to all educators. But moderation in the use of traditional homework became the norm.

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“Virtually all commentators on homework in the postwar years would have agreed with the sentiment expressed in the NEA Journal in 1952 that ‘it would be absurd to demand homework in the first grade or to denounce it as useless in the eighth grade and in high school,’” Gill and Schlossman write.

That remained more or less true until 1983, when publication of the landmark government report A Nation at Risk helped jump-start a conservative “back to basics” agenda, including an emphasis on drill-style homework. In the decades since, continuing “reforms” like high-stakes testing, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Common Core standards have kept pressure on schools. Which is why twenty-first-century first graders get spelling words and pages of arithmetic.

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Home » who invented homework

Who Invented Homework?

Roberto Nevilis invented homework in the year 1095 in Venice after being disappointed in his students. Roberto Nevilis began to give homework in order to help the students learn and master the material he was teaching in Italy.

Anyone who has ever been a student has also wonder who invented homework. Indeed, we may all at one point or another yelled out that question in frustration . In such instances, the question is usually rhetorical, but who actually invented homework?

“A genius is a talented person who does his homework.” — Thomas Edison

Like most things we take for granted and hardly ever question, homework is not something natural or the inevitable part of life that it has become over the years. There was a time when the concept did just not exist.

Most people see homework as both an essential and inevitable part of education. But that was not always like that.

The Inventor of Homework

Homework, as we understand it today, goes as far back as 1095. Venetian educator Roberto Nevilis gets the credit for introducing homework as part of education. It seems likely, however that homework was used even before Nevilis’s time. The reason why Nevilis gets the credit is that he is the earliest example that there is evidence of.

It is safe to say that homework began at the same moment that formal education was introduced . It must be noted that until historically recently formal education was not something that most people had access to.

Indeed, at the time when Roberto Nevilis was giving his students homework, only the children of wealthy parents (or, indeed, wealthy adults themselves). As formal educations spread across nations and through people who belonged to different social classes, so did homework.

Homework in the USA

You may be wondering how something like homework , that originated in the 11 th century Venice came to be a part of everyday life for teachers and students alike in the United States.

The answer is that homework only became part of the US educational system in the 20 th century.

“I like a teacher who gives you something to go home and think about besides homework.” — Lily Tomlin

But the introduction of homework was gradual and with some pains associated with it. Until the turn of the 20 th century, not just homework but education, in general, had a very bad press in America.

Although this may seem incredible to us from a 21st-century perspective, education was not very highly valued by most people until well into the 20 th century. In order to understand this, you have to think about how society and the economy worked for most of America’s history. Children were needed at home or at work because they helped )and were expected to help) support their families as much as adults did. Remember that we do not get the concept of teenagers until, at least, the 1950s. Before that, the distance between childhood and adulthood was a lot shorter than it is now, and there was no in-between transitional period between the two.

In fact, children were expected to work (at home and elsewhere) as soon as they had enough strengths. This was not the case just in America but also in Canada, Latin America, Europe and many other parts of the world at the time. Shocking as it may seem to us, what we now consider child labor was actually the norm not that long ago. The exception to this was, of course, the children of wealthy parents.

But this started to change in the USA and in other countries in the 20 th century.

Even when kids had some form of schooling in the 20th century, still homework was not usually given to them as to not interfere with their home activities. In California , for instance, homework was abolished in 1901 by the State legislature .

When Did Attitudes to Homework Begin To Change?  

It was not the introduction of schooling in the 20 th century that change negative attitudes toward homework.

It would not be until after World War II that people’s attitudes toward homework slowly began to change. And you can thank (or blame) the Cold War for.

“I feel sorry for kids these days. They get so much homework. Remember the days when we put a belt around our two books and carried them home? Now they’re dragging a suitcase. They have school all day, then homework from six until eleven. There’s no time left to be creative.” — Tom Petty

The Cold War is the name by which we refer to a long period of political hostility between the capitalistic Western (led by the United States) and the socialist Eastern bloc (led by the USSR ) that lasted between the end of World War II and 1990.

The Cold War was an era characterized by a profound mistrust between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both global superpowers sought to assert their influence in other parts of the world and constantly competed in areas such as science, sport, technology, etc. Each wanted to prove that their model for the economy and society was superior to the other.

You may be wondering what that could possibly have to do with homework. The Cold War increased the need for scientists in the United States. So, a renewed emphasis was placed on education (particularly, higher education) and in science and related subjects. The USSR had made huge advances in education and in the USA, it felt that keeping up was the way forward. Studying hard and using homework became part of the educational ideals in America.

This has had a lasting impact because, by the end of the Cold War period in 1990, homework had become such an important part of the educational experience in the US that most people considered it part and parcel of education.

But, how effective is homework? There are studies pointing in different directions. While some of them make claims about the effectiveness of homework, others actually advise against it.

“Homework should never replace a teaching opportunity in the classroom.” — Doug Yakich

Having said all that, there is a clear trend to increase the amount of homework particularly young children need to do. Some studies even talk about homework more than doubling in the last 30 years or so.

The time that needs to be devoted to completing daily homework can be as much as 90 minutes to 2 hours, which some studies actually considered detrimental to learning.

Whoever invented homework probably did not have that much time in mind!

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Who Invented Homework and How Did He Die

When you are doing your homework and you find that it is difficult, you may think of who invented homework. Not only that, you may also think of how he died. You may hate to do your homework, but homework has some purposes.

Well, I have tried to find information about the inventor of homework from some online sources and also some other information about homework and here is what I found.

The Inventor of Homework

According to some online sources, Roberto Nevilis was the person who invented homework. He was a teacher of a school in Venice, Italy and he used homework in 1095 to punish his students. However, as explained on the Geek and Nerd site, there is an opportunity that homework was invented long before that time. Furthermore, it is explained that there is no reason to deny the possibility of someone inventing homework during the times of Ancient Greece and maybe earlier.

According to the Geek and Nerd site, it is also explained that homework assignments were first mentioned in the times of ancient Rome. They included the works of Quintilian who was the teacher of Pliny Junior and was from the 1st century AD.

On the US Sun site, it is explained that Roberto Novelis is sometimes credited with the invention of homework, but he may not even be real. It is also explained on that site that there is no one who is sure that he is supposed to have invented homework in 1095 or 1905. Furthermore, on that site, it is explained that it is said he dreamt up the idea of homework to punish lazy students. However, there is no official and reliable source that supports this story and even his existence.

On the UK Sun site, it is also explained that even though there are a lot of people who do, supervise or set homework most days of the week, but there is no clear idea about who invented the concept of homework. There are a lot of names which are associated with the invention of homework, but in fact, anyone who has tried to learn anything has practised it in their own time and place. So, in the UK Sun site, it is explained that homework is just a part of learning. Same as the Geek and Nerd site, on the UK Sun site, it is also explained that the first mention of homework came up in ancient Rome, in the writings of Pliny the Younger, in 1AD. It is known that Pliny was an oratory teacher and it was thought that Pliny asked his students to practice their public speaking at home with the aim to help them build confidence. Towards the end of the 19th century, homework became something which is universal because school became an obligatory across the world.

Meanwhile on the Geek and Nerd site, it is mentioned that John Amos Comenius was the father of modern education where he introduced a lot of new and effective methods of teaching children such as attending classes and progressive studying process going from less complex concepts to more sophisticated ones. Since that time, homework assignments have been an integral part of the lives of students.

On the Scottish Sun site, it is mentioned that Horace Mann was a politician and educational reformer who lived in the 19th century. This person had a strong belief in compulsory education and was instrumental in setting up state funded education in the US. He was the person who had the idea of compulsory tasks to be done at home in the US after he observed it in the German Volksschulen or “People’s Schools” when he visited in 1843.

How Did the Inventor of Homework Die?

Since there is no clear proof about who the inventor of homework is, so there is no information about how the homework inventor died.

What Will Happen With Our Future If We Do Not Do Homework?

It is normal when sometimes you are angry with your homework and then you may think what will happen with your future if you do not do your homework. Well, of course it depends on the aim of the homework itself. Usually, homework is given to practice a material of a lesson at home so that you will understand more about the material. As explained on the Geek and Nerd site, the purpose of the assignments is usually for students to remember something that they were taught in class and repeat the material on their own. Furthermore, it is explained that if you understand all the important information in class, you do not have to repeat it again and again.

Geek and Nerd takes Finland as an example of a country which successfully refused to assign homework to students. It shows that if you do not do your homework, it will not prevent you from going to college and getting a decent job. Geek and Nerd also informs that every two of three Finnish students go to college and it is the best index in Europe.

But once again, this article does not suggest you not to do your homework. But, we have to realize that every homework which is given by a teacher surely has a purpose where it is to make you understand more about the material of the lesson. So, if your teacher gives you homework, do it well and make sure that you understand it.

The Reasons of Inventing Homework

According to the US Sun site, people who like homework have given a lot of reasons for its invention over the years and those reasons are listed below.

• With homework, students are able to consolidate learning by practising what they have studied in school.
• Teachers and students are able to identify gaps in learning when the student submits assignments which are completed independently.
• Homework gives students more time to learn something.
• Homework helps students with time management.

For your information, historically, homework has not been so popular with everyone and homework was even banned for 15 years in the state of California in the early 1900s.

On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…

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Who Invented Homework? The Origins and Development

October 18th, 2023 — 5 min read

The origins of Homework dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It is said that Roberto Nevelis, an Italian teacher, invented homework in 1905, but so far there is no credible historical evidence to support this, which makes it become an Internet myth. Pliny the Younger, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, and Hausmann are the most likely true inventors of homework.

I. Introduction

When it comes to homework, what is on your mind? Excited or struggling？Some people enjoy doing homework and challenging themselves with hard questions; Others dislike homework and struggle with it, considering that homework deprives them of their spare time. Whether you like it or not, homework is an essential part of our learning and growth.

For teachers, homework is a way to help students to consolidate knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and improve problem-solving ability etc. As students, we might not view homework like our teachers, and maybe just complete homework to avoid punishment.

So we've all been doing homework since we were kids. Have you ever wondered who invented homework? This blog will elaborate on the origins and development of homework. Let's take a look at who started the journey of homework, and who made homework became a daily task for students.

II. Historical Background

Before tracing the origins of homework, let us ponder a question: was homework born at the same time as education? The answer is no. Education has a long history that can be traced back to ancient times. In the early stages, homework is not a part of educational system. Before writing was invented, people mainly passed on the values, traditions and life skills to the next generation through oral teaching. However, the advent of writing further developed the spread of civilization and diversified the ways of education.

There is no homework in early education, so how do students consolidate their learning? In the ancient Greek city-states, private education was prevalent. Students in Athens discussed, debated, and thought in study groups organized by philosophers or scholars to further reinforce knowledge. Students would participate in various public presentations to access their learning outcomes and broaden their horizons and thinking. In addition, by participating in all kinds of practical activities, such as museum visits, art exhibitions, and sports activities, students can apply what they have learned to real-life situations. Therefore, although there was no homework at that time, students could enhance their understanding and application of learning in a variety of ways.

With the continuous development of society, education gradually developed from social and family education to formal schooling, with professional people specialized in teaching subject knowledge and skills. So who invented homework? When did homework appear?

III. Inventors and Key Figures of Homework

1.roberto nevelis.

2.Pliny The Younger

3.Johann Gottlieb Fichte

So who invented homework? Johann Gottlieb Fichte,the German philosopher, was probably the true inventor of homework. He was not only the father of German nationalism, but also contributed and influenced the education of Germany. He helped develop people's schools, making mass schools and compulsory education an innovation at that period. The state provided education for students and also infiltrated patriotism into students' lives and encouraged them to contribute to the country.

Fichte's educational ideas had a profound influence on German education at that time. His ideas were widely adopted and implemented in the German education system, so that homework became an important part of students' learning.

4.Horace Mann

Horace Mann, a 19th-century American educator and politician, was often credited as a key figure in the development of homework. After graduating from Brown University, he actively supported education reform while serving as the state education secretary. He was regarded by many historians as the "father of American public education" and devoted himself to the educational system.

Mann not only engaged with teachers, but also participated in many public education presentations and visited other schools in and out of the state. While visiting schools in Europe, he was inspired by the Prussian education system and decided to reform education in Massachusetts, one of which was homework. He believes that homework can help students consolidate what they learn in class and develop the ability to learn independently and solve problems.

So, what about the future of homework in the United States?

IV.Brief History of Homework in the US

Early 20th century: the rise of the homework ban.

In the 19th century, while economic development was limited, most children in the United States dropped out of elementary school to ease the burden on their families. With the increasing development of society, more and more children can receive basic secondary education, but some problems about homework appear at the same time. Many parents are tired of helping their children with homework and even think that school work has no meaning.

1920s and 1930s: The Ban was Intensified

Under the influence of the homework ban, primary and secondary schools in big cities in the United States have made a series of reform measures to protect the physical and mental health of preschool children. Public schools in New York are prohibited from assigning homework to students in grades one through three. San Diego, California, bans homework for elementary and middle school students in grades 1 through 8. Chicago bans all public elementary and secondary schools from assigning homework to students at any grade level.

1950s: In response to the Cold War, Homework Returned

In 1957, the launch of the Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite brought a huge shock to the United States, and also changed the American concept of education. For 50 years, the United States had little homework, putting it at a competitive disadvantage against the Soviet Union. However, the incident galvanized the urgent need for educational reform in the U.S. government and educational institutions, including a reevaluation and reform of homework. Teachers began to provide students with targeted assignments to meet each student's learning needs. Assignments have also become more challenging and practical to help students consolidate what they have learned and expand their thinking and application skills.

Early 2000s: Homework Attracted Great Attention

In the early 1980s, the United States government organized a special committee to investigate the learning level of American students, and the survey results were very painful for Americans. That is, the basic education in the United States is poor, 23 million adults do not have enough literacy. The results of the survey triggered wide attention and discussion, and the US government and educational institutions took a series of measures to improve basic education, including improving the salary and training level of teachers, requiring teachers to assign more personalized tasks, and ensuring the improvement of teaching quality and student learning outcomes.

Looking at the history of homework in the United States, we can see from the introduction of homework to the promulgation of homework bans, to the re-strengthening of homework. The homework not only had a positive impact, but also triggered negative voices. Around the world, homework has been a controversial topic. Does it do more good than harm? Or does it do more harm than good? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of homework.

V. Homework: Pros and Cons

When we talk about the pros and cons of homework, we should focus on the amount of homework assigned.

Proper Amount of Homework

1.Improve the quality of school education By assigning homework, students can consolidate the knowledge learned in class, deepen the understanding and application of knowledge, enhance the learning effect, and the quality of school education will also be improved.

2.Expand students' knowledge and improve students' learning skills Through homework, students can further expand their learning, accumulate more knowledge, and improve learning skills such as reading, writing, problem solving etc. 3.Promote students' independence and sense of responsibility By completing homework independently, students can improve their self-management skills and independent thinking. At the same time, the completion of homework also requires students to have a sense of responsibility and complete the task on time, which is very important for the growth and development of students.

Excessive Homework

1.Lead to lack of sleep and affect students' health Long hours of assignment writing will leave students without enough time for rest, which is bad for students' physical and mental health.

2.Putting too much pressure on students Students need to bare academic pressure under heavy homework tasks, which may lead to anxiety and boredom of students.

3.Deprive students of their spare time Students need enough time for rest, recreation and other interests, which are very important for their well-rounded development. Too much homework may leave students no time to participate in other activities and limit their room for development.

4.Lead to cheating Too much homework may lead to cheating. When students are faced with too much homework pressure, they may look for other ways to complete the homework, such as copying or having someone write it for them. Such behavior not only violates academic ethics, but also weakens students' learning effect and ability

VI.Conclusion

You may not have thought and explored who invented homework, but I believe you have been crazy about homework. From birth to development, homework has experienced the baptism of the long river of history, and also continues to develop from time to time. Although homework once aroused the resistance of parents and students, it has to be admitted that homework plays a key role in consolidating knowledge and improving ability in our learning process. What do you think of homework? Do you think homework should be born?

With the rapid progress and development of science and technology, many countries continue to combine science and technology with education, and launch a variety of educational products to meet the learning needs of students in the new era. When it comes to homework, the use of technology has also opened up many new possibilities. While you may still be used to writing your homework with a pen and paper, or typing your answers on a computer, now is the time to try StudyX , a tool dedicated to providing a whole new way of doing homework. What is the innovation in it? Try it and you'll see!

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Who Invented Homework?

Have you ever asked yourself who invented homework? Have you ever thought of how it became a school requirement? The concept of homework has created a lot of debate among instructors and learners. Students frequently despise it, seeing it as an unnecessary laborious task.  Instructors on the other hand, usually believe it is essential for academic progress.

Homework is a collection of instructional duties assigned to learners by teachers. It often applies in regular free time. It promotes classroom learning and enables students to practice what they've learned. Homework promotes individual study habits, self-discipline, and time management abilities.

Homework became more prevalent as formal scholars, and educators sought ways to reinforce classroom learning, foster independent study habits, and prepare students for academic challenges.

When was Homework Invented?

The Invention of homework has vague timelines with its origins not pinpointed to a specific time or individual. Although it has ancient roots, modern assignment began in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The early 20th century is often associated with the popularization of homework. Roberto Nevilis, an Italian teacher, is sometimes credited with inventing homework. However, historical documentation regarding Nevilis and his role in developing assignments is limited. His educational career evolved through the contributions of other educators.

How was homework invented?

Homework has been evolving in response to changes in educational philosophies and practices. It has undergone different transitions based on historical trends and other external factors like culture.

Homework evolved organically over centuries as a response to changing educational needs and philosophies. It was shaped by influential educators, cultural practices, and the evolving understanding of how learning occurs.

The invention of homework is more accurately described as a gradual development rather than an event initiated by a single person.

Who invented homework?

Though the idea of homework has a long history and cannot be credited to a single creator, there is a suggestion that in the early twentieth century, Roberto Nevilis, an Italian educator, had a part in popularizing the present practice of homework.

However, assigning homework to be accomplished outside of regular class hours evolved and was inspired by various educational concepts and systems.

How Roberto Nevilis Invented Homework

Roberto Nevilis is credited with being the inventor of homework. Nevilis felt that students should have done extra learning or exploration after leaving their class. Most of them failed in their exams. He was disappointed and had to take a different measure.

Contributions of Roberto Nevilis to education

Roberto Nevilis is often credited as the inventor of homework. However, there needs to be more historical evidence of how he came up with the idea of issuing homework. Little is known about his life. He introduced the practice of assigning students academic tasks to be completed outside of regular class hours.

Nevilis was an Italian educator who implemented homework in the early 20th century. He invented homework to extend the learning process beyond the classroom. Roberto Nevilis aimed to reinforce lessons through additional practice and study.

The Homework Myth of Roberto Nevilis

The association of Roberto Nevilis with inventing homework appears to be more of a myth than a verifiable historical fact. Although Nevilis is often credited with having invented homework in the early 20th century, the evidence supporting this claim is sparse and lacks definitive historical documentation.

Attributing homework to Nevilis will likely simplify a more complex historical evolution. Homework, as a concept, has ancient roots, and its development has been influenced by various educational philosophies, cultural practices, and reform movements over centuries.

In critical historical analysis, Roberto Nevilis invented homework. However, it's essential to approach his role in the invention of homework with skepticism, acknowledging that the history of education is a nuanced and multifaceted narrative shaped by the contributions of many individuals and evolving educational systems.

What if Roberto Nevillis did not exist?

If Roberto Nevilis did not exist, it would not have changed the historical evolution of homework. Assigning homework to be completed outside of regular class hours has deep historical roots, going back to ancient civilizations. Various cultures and educational systems have contributed to homework development over time.

While the association of Nevilis with the invention of homework is often cited, it is more of a myth or anecdote than a well-documented historical fact. The practice of assigning homework outside of the classroom evolved organically, influenced by changing educational philosophies, societal needs, and pedagogical innovations.

If Roberto Nevilis was removed from the narrative, the discussion on who invented homework would persist. Other educators, philosophers, and educational reformers throughout history would have gained that recognition. The key factors influencing homework practice extend beyond any individual, making it a complex and multifaceted aspect of the educational landscape.

Why was homework invented?

Nevilis invented homework to reinforce classroom learning and extend educational opportunities beyond regular school hours. Its invention is linked to the belief that repetitive practice and individual study enhance comprehension and retention of knowledge.

Homework serves to solidify concepts, offering students a chance to apply what they've learned independently. Additionally, it promotes time management skills, responsibility, and autonomy in learning.

Other Key Players in Homework

Homework has evolved dynamically due to historical, cultural, and educational forces. Different philosophers and academic enthusiasts have played an extensive role in ensuring homework in their respective countries.

Horace Mann

Horace Mann significantly contributed to education in the United States during the 19th century. He is well referred to as the father of modern homework. Horace created homework from the ideas he gained from the German’s private institutions. He is often referred to as the Father of the Common School Movement. Mann was pivotal in shaping the American public education system as the Massachusetts Board of Education Secretary.

One of his key contributions was the advocacy for the common school model, which aimed to provide free, non-sectarian education to all children. Mann believed that education was essential for preserving democracy and social equality, and he worked tirelessly to establish a system that would serve the needs of a diverse and growing society.

Mann's influence extended beyond the structural aspects of public education. He emphasized the moral and civic dimensions of learning, arguing that any school should instill values such as responsibility, discipline, and civic virtues. He also recommended a tax-funded public education for all American students.

Mann also noted that homework enhanced good discipline and character development. His vision helped shape the broader goals of American private and public education, emphasizing its role in creating informed and responsible citizens capable of contributing to the democratic fabric of the nation.

Johann Heinrich

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi was a Swiss educational reformer who lived between 1746 and 1827. He contributed substantially to education, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His ideas and practices revolutionized pedagogy, emphasizing a holistic approach to education.

Pestalozzi's work had a profound impact on elementary education. He believed children learn best through direct experiences and assignments. His idea encouraged students to do their assignments in more than two hours to help them gain a deeper understanding, especially in complex subjects like mathematics.

Homework in the United States

The history of homework in the United States is marked by a gradual evolution influenced by changing educational philosophies, societal expectations, and the development of the education system. While there isn't a defining moment that introduced homework, fundamental historical shifts have contributed to its establishment and integration into the American education system.

Any school in the United States was required to issue homework. He also spearheaded the American education system's government regulations and tax-funded public education. Horace Mann spent some time in Prussia, learning about German assignments.

He saw it as a brilliant idea and the best way to motivate students. He then introduced the system in the United States. However, some parents were against the idea as they saw it as a way to punish students. This spread across the country, and homework became a requirement for every student learning in America.

Homework in other Cultures

Typically, different cultures have different homework routines and practices. Although some nations encourage a heavy load of homework from a young age, others prefer a more relaxed approach. These homework differences in various cultures are explored below:

1. Asian Cultures

Asian cultures often strongly emphasize education, and homework is vital to learning. South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese students always have substantial homework in their specific study fields. This is crucial in enhancing their academic success. Asian culture expects students to invest significant time and effort in their numerous studies outside of school hours.

2. Western Countries

Homework practices in Western countries can vary. For example, various approaches exist in the United States and the United Kingdom. Some schools assign substantial homework, while others prioritize a more balanced lifestyle. They recognize the importance of extracurricular activities and family time.

3. Middle Eastern Cultures

Middle Eastern cultures often place a significant value on education. Homework is generally considered important to enhance the skills learned in classrooms. Students in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are often given relatively heavy homework. Education is highly prioritized, and students dedicate substantial time to academics.

4. European Countries

European countries like Spain and Italy often have a more relaxed attitude toward homework than some Asian cultures. Although students may still receive assignments, there is a cultural emphasis on socializing, family time, and extracurricular activities. The focus is not solely on academic achievement but on holistic development.

5. African Cultures

Homework practices in African countries vary. Factors such as the education system, cultural values, and socio-economic conditions. Most African countries adopted a colonial education system that dictates how homework is assigned. Most developed countries and regions recognize the importance of homework. However, challenges such as limited resources may impact homework expectations in less developed African countries.

Homework in the digital age (The 2000s)

The digital era has changed the face of education and homework assignments. Students now have access to a wide range of resources due to online learning platforms. The use of technology has also generated concerns about the equal distribution of assignments and the possibility of enhanced student collaboration.

Homework Revolutions in the Digital Era

The 2000s saw a significant increase in the use of digital technologies in education. Online platforms, digital resources, and e-learning tools became more prevalent, allowing students to access assignments and educational materials electronically. This digital transformation influenced how homework was assigned, completed, and submitted.

The concept of blended learning, combining traditional in-person instruction with online elements, gained popularity. This approach often extended to homework assignments, with students engaging in offline and online activities to reinforce their learning.

Why homework is sensitive in children's development

Although homework is meant to reinforce learning, build study habits, and give extra practice, it can negatively affect children in some situations.

Excessive homework assignments that are too challenging can lead to increased stress and anxiety in children. The focus of meeting deadlines and performing well academically might lead to bad mental health results. Students often find homework challenging, as it requires dedicated time and effort for completion.

A heavy homework load can limit children's time for leisure activities, extracurricular pursuits, and unstructured play. Excess assignments may be referred to as child labor.

When homework becomes overwhelming, it can contribute to negative attitudes toward learning. Children may perceive homework as a source of frustration or child labor rather than a meaningful extension of their classroom experience.

Late-night homework sessions can disrupt sleep patterns. This can potentially lead to sleep deprivation. Lack of adequate sleep can negatively impact a child's cognitive functioning, mood, and overall health. The American Child Health Association may be against late-night homework to protect children's general health. The association improves the public’s understanding of children's healthcare.

Most students with excess homework spend much of their time doing the assignments. Therefore, it’s evident to note that homework disrupts families. Awareness of these possible downsides is essential to ensure that homework activities are balanced and ensure kids' well-being.

Strategies for Effective Homework

Educators and parents alike are keen on understanding how to make homework more effective. This section explores evidence-based strategies for designing meaningful homework, considering individual learning styles, developmental stages, and the importance of feedback in the learning process.

Teachers should be giving students homework with clear and meaningful objectives. Communicate the purpose of each assignment to students, ensuring they understand how it relates to their learning goals. Homework should reinforce classroom concepts and provide opportunities for independent practice. Completing such tasks often becomes a significant aspect of the learning process for homework students.

Instructors should recognize and accommodate diverse learning styles. They should provide alternative ways of demonstrating understanding to ensure all students engage meaningfully. Various learning strategies may be ideal for promoting different skills in a student’s life. This would help them improve their academic performance.

Strive to balance the amount of homework assigned. When giving out the homework load, consider the age and mental capacity of a student. Too much homework can lead to stress and burnout, while too little may not provide enough reinforcement. Establish realistic expectations to ensure the homework is completed on time.

Establish a consistent routine for homework. Efficiently communicate expectations regarding when assignments are due and create a predictable schedule. Consistency helps students develop good study habits and a sense of responsibility, improving their academic performance.

Future Trends and Innovations in Homework

We all know that currently, the world is experiencing dynamic trends that are reshaping education paradigms. Artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and virtual reality have become more integrated into education. This begs the question, how might these technologies reshape the landscape of homework? This section explores potential innovations and trends that could redefine how students engage with assignments outside the classroom.

1. Personalized Learning Platforms

The future of homework may involve the widespread adoption of personalized learning platforms powered by artificial intelligence. These platforms could tailor assignments to individual student needs, adapting content, difficulty levels, and pacing based on each student's learning style and progress.

2. Virtual and Augmented Reality

Integrating virtual and augmented reality technologies could provide immersive learning experiences for online homework. Students might explore historical events, conduct virtual science experiments, or engage in interactive simulations, bringing a new level of realism to at-home learning.

3. AI-Powered Tutors and Assistants

AI-driven virtual tutors and assistants could offer real-time support in completing homework assignments. These intelligent systems could provide instant feedback, answer questions, and offer personalized guidance, creating a more interactive and responsive homework environment.

Roberto Nevilis is occasionally attributed as the inventor of homework. His main aim was to extend skills beyond classroom learning. Horace Mann and Johann Heinrich also played a significant role in education and enhancing homework in the 19th century. Today, homework is a divisive practice, with potential benefits in reinforcing learning and developing study habits outweighed by worries about children's well-being. It is critical to strike a balance and cultivate attentive approaches to homework to ensure that its instructional aim ideally matches children's overall growth.

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