Who Invented Homework? Is Roberto Nevilis the Actual Inventor?

At least once in our lifetime, we get this question in our minds about who invented homework. None of us can be blamed for that. We do not share good memories of homework and reflect on it with contempt and malice. Before we name Roberto Nevilis as the inventor of homework, let us find out how true that is in this write-up.

To Be Rid of Myths Like a Good Educator

The sign of a good teacher, mentor, and educator is to replace myths with facts. Roberto Nevilis is the name your search engine shows you as an inventor of homework. He was, as the information claims, an Italian educator who came up with this idea in 1095, according to many blog posts and educational websites.

There is little to no evidence that a person named Roberto Nevilis ever lived. You got it right. There are not enough pieces of evidence to suggest that he actually introduced something that is now the integral part of the modern education system.  Roberto Nevilis could very well be a bedtime story as his existence remains unverified to date. 

Intriguing when you think about it, right? Roberto Nevilis seems to be just an internet myth created by some online trolls to explain the students’ least favorite activity. So, if not Roberto, then who invented homework?

Early Civilizations: Ancient Roots of Homework

Classrooms did not happen right with the concept of the learning process. In fact, much of the learning happened outdoors in the practical fields. Many might argue that it was for the best instead of the modern theoretical framework.

Greece and Rome in Ancient Times

Quintilian was known for his wisdom in terms of philosophy and education. As a mentor to many learners in ancient Rome, he emphasized repetitive learning. This could be remembered as a basis of homework but it was still not the compulsory form of homework. Students were simply encouraged to practice writing and memorize speeches as a usual recommendation.

In the matter of ancient Greece, education was all about apprenticeships, oral learning, and intellectual discussions. Students were tasked to prepare arguments or review lessons back at home before they were prepared to engage in debates at institutions.

Institutionalization of Homework in the 19th Century

The idea to extend classroom learning can be traced back to the 19th Century, mainly in Europe. This was when the concept of homework started to appear formally.

Compulsory Education in Germany

A structured homework, or one of its earliest examples, seems to originate from Germany. Back in the 1800s, Germany’s Prussian education system introduced formal schooling structures and mandatory education laws to maintain some order and discipline. 

This system, around that time, left its impact on other Western countries of influence, such as the United States and England, where the Industrial Revolution had reshaped education into what we call today as public schooling.

Horace Mann’s Role in the Formalization of Homework

An American educationist by the name of Horace Mann lived in the 19th Century. He earned his fame as one of the founding fathers of the education system at the time. He had learned a great deal from Germany’s education model and vowed to incorporate it into the American school system.

Horace hoped to implement a structured homework program for learning classrooms to develop habits of hard work and industrial knowledge in students. This is how homework transformed from informal gigs into a proper set of assignments necessary for positive academic performance.

The Perspective Shift on Homework in the 20th Century

The implementation of formal homework sparked a debate in certain parts of the world. There was no unanimous global perspective on it. Many parents and educators viewed it as an extra burden on students, and lack of practical work as well and needless time consumption.

A prominent name that stood up against the formalization of homework was Francis Amara Walker. As a board member of the education committee in a Boston school, she presented a case of exploitation and stress. Her points were taken rather well and she managed to stop the Maths homework at the very least. 

Right at the start of the 20th Century, somewhere in 1901, California passed a bill to ban homework for kids under 15. It was received positively under the idea of child labor laws rising at the time. Luckily or unluckily, this ban was reversed in 1917 as the newly developed perspective argued that homework was necessary for the development of youth.

Homework in the Times of Wars

You would ask, “What is the connection between homework and wars?” In the times of World War I and World War II, even the areas that were not war-torn were affected as well. The trade of resources was endangered. People were desperate for food, let alone knowledge, or to deal with an additional stress that was homework at the time.

The Cold War was the phenomenon that revolutionized homework. In response to Russia’s aggressive stances on any and everything. America felt the need to have its youth be advanced, especially in terms of science and mathematics. Thus began the era of the homework revolution that has been functional to date. 

Over a century, ever since education was formalized, homework rules have been similar in practice. More or less, the same methodologies are adopted in the modern world of teaching and learning.

Digital Revolution and Contemporary Homework Practices

And now here we are, in the present, dealing with school hours and homework stress at once. Ever since the homework became official, it has undergone various phases in its implementation. Various management systems and teaching apps are active now to help the students learn about issues they are having difficulty with. 

Now there is a wide range of homework: assignments, tasks of student anatomy, peer-reviewed sessions, and whatnot. According to the education system, these homework practices are meant to turn the students into effective members of society and industry.

These modern practices are not looked at with appraisal all the time. Many believe that all of this is planned exploitation of officials and does not tap into the benefits for students. Their stances hold weight as public school focuses more on the theoretical framework, while practicality is not achieved in a bigger vision.

Effectiveness of Homework in Question

Even though there is no lack of technological advancement today, debates over homework have not died down. Many still view it as a form of oppression and violation of child labour laws. 

Critics have presented strong arguments against the application of formal homework. They assert that homework causes strain on students’ mental health, family bonds, social development, and other ups and downs of life. The common response they get is that homework builds understanding, establishes discipline, and provides a lot to learn. 

The issues of homework do not have a single practical solution to them. We may never be truly unified on how beneficial or detrimental homework is for students. It belongs to a set of academic purposes that is considered vital to review the academic performance of a student. 

Conclusion

The tale of homework cannot be attributed to a single personality. Roberto Nevilis was not the esteemed founder of homework; for all we know, he never existed to begin with. Having contemplated the ancient eras in terms of homework up to the digital transformation of extra learning hours of public schooling, homework has evolved a lot. While there is no lack of debate on the practicality of homework and how ethical it is, this tool is more readily applied now than it has ever been in history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Roberto Nevilis invent homework?

Because he felt like it? Nothing solid across the web suggests that Roberto Nevilis even lived. Yes, it may come off as a surprise but the idea that Roberto invented this problem seems to be an internet story at best.

What if you refuse to complete your homework?

That would depend on your school and teacher. Normally, there would be some penalties and you would not pass to the next class. It would affect your grades and you would be in the bad books. If the school assigns, you have little to no choice but to do your homework.

Is homework a form of punishment?

That is an interesting question. It could be viewed as a punishment form but that was not the officials’ idea. They meant it for the development of students; it is another story that many critics do not view it as a method of development but rather as a malpractice of submission and exploitation.

Is homework everywhere in the world?

Pretty much everywhere. Nearly all countries adopt the technique of homework. That said, some countries have age restrictions on homework. For example, in Finland, you cannot be given before a certain age. Even then, when homework is assigned, it is nowhere as stressful or extensive as it is in other countries.