A Homework Ban Is A Bad Idea

Sorry for the late reply. V/LA w/o computer access.Rebuttal of each of my opponent's sections:Definition"'Bad idea' means 'produces bad results'. To suggest it means 'an idea that people are strictly against' is absurd."I beg to differ. My opponent has not properly defined "bad" and instead uses it again in his definition. Thus, the opposition has provided a circular definition. My definition uses "bad" relative to the general will because it is a very hard word to define. If people became strictly against saving the Earth, people actually would think saving the Earth is a bad idea, and vice versa. I'm afraid my opponent's definition and attack on my definition is invalid.For the sake of this debate, I believe my definition should be used.Equality"Equality should be achieved by helping the disadvantaged, not by punishing the advantaged."Let us use each of my three contentions and see if any apply.1: academic dishonesty - those that don't cheat should cheat?2: time - does my opponent really have a time turner?3: money - should we progress to communism?^It is obvious that my opponent does not have a real argument against my contentions.Using "punish" as a term induces a very negative connotation, and is not the effect we are aiming for. The opposition's idea as shown in the quote is not applicable. Additionally, there is no such thing as "good equality" or "bad equality."More Interested In SocializingI have no clue what the opposition is trying to make a point about, but I NEVER said anything about every student being more interested in socializing. "Many" is not "everybody", so I would like to ask the opposition to stop putting words in my mouth.Cheating"Cheating is already dealt with." The rest of this section in my opponent's case attempts to explain why.Where is the evidence for this? These are just disingenuous assertions by the opposition. In fact, studies show more students are cheating than ever before. We've dealt with cheating very well. Contrary to my opponent's beliefs, the majority of students are cheating more and feeling no guilt. [2] [3] Also refer to my first round's source. [1]I request that the opposition should triple-check to make sure his statements are true before posting these outrageous claims. There should be sources and evidence to support it, which my opposition seems to be greatly lacking.My opponent believes most students who consistently cheat get caught and discipllined. Cheaters I know don't more often than they do, especially if they are smart. There are also people who have limited time, tying in with my second contention, and they are not necessarily those who are not wise with time. If two papers have the same answers, then they either got the question right or wrong. If they have the EXACT SAME response, then I would question their intelligence. Websites that catch plagiarism only match phrases that are exactly the same. I believe I have completely refuted the entire section.Unequal Time"The solution here is to offer accomodations such as homework reduction for students who can document extentuating circumstances such as caring for parents."In order to preserve our value of "equality," homework would have to be reduced for all the students. If only one student was given less homework, a question could be missed on a test because the student never saw the homework problem corresponding to that question, but nobody would realize it.If a poor student must go to the library, or has to stay after school to complete assignments, more effort has to be put in in comparison to other students. Equality is still being violated. Once again, a documented job to reduce homework would create a homework reduction for everybody. Homework reduction can be a good idea, but it still doesn't make a homework ban a bad idea.Schoolwork Still Involves Problems With Inequality, Including Problems That Are Worse Than With Homework"Even a poor student being raised by highly uneducated parents can learn and do well on homework assignments if they put in the effort."This student would have to put in more effort to do homework in comparison to those who are socioeconomically better off. It violates our value of "equality."My opponent claims, "Internet use often is not allowed in the classroom [...] When exposed to schoolwork they don't understand then they don't have the opportunity to go online, and depending on the classroom may only be able to go over text briefly before the teacher leads the class to the next point." Ask the teacher! When someone does not understand a topic, internet is not the only resource. Teachers should and must make sure their students understand everything completely, which is enforced by the No Child Left Behind Act. [4]The opposition concludes, "The savior of these poor students is homework," lacking clarity and syllogism. This conclusion that my opponent has put out is ridiculous/illogical. The material coming after doesn't really support the statement.Wrong On CollegesI never said ALL courses do not require homework, so I am not wrong. Once again, I request the opposition to not falsely quote my arguments. I would still like him to comment on the college courses that do not have homework. What are your thoughts on this system? Do you think this is a good/bad idea?Not Enough Practice"Not including homework means the student can go home and forget about practicing the subject."I have had experience learning a foreign language in a classroom, so allow me to explain the foreign language curriculum a bit. Homework is barely looked at except for easy homework completion credit. Most of us students write in anything that comes to our minds, even if it doesn't make sense. The class time we spend practicing is actually enough, and if it is required, the school day can be lengthened. It doesn't make a homework ban a bad idea.Good Essays and Presentations Require Time, Sometimes It's Even Necessary to Sit On It"If they can't assign homework this greatly limits a teacher's ability to challenge their students with complex assignments."This is not true. I go to a top school where my English and History courses place heavy emphasis on in-class work. Each semester brings a very important essay done in class called Document Based Questions (DBQ's) or Anchors. Paragraphs are done in class to enforce writing skills, and our homework is mostly to take notes, a supplementary study tool preparing us for college. Alumni come back often, expressing thanks for these in-class assignments that strengthened their writing skills.On Autism and Social AnxietyThis section is not applicable as I have demonstrated previously. The opposition makes hollow statements without any evidence backing it up. Nobody is "making the normal educational environment more stressful." Special education services can be improved, so a homework ban is still not a bad idea.Thoughts Through the Child's HeadI never said that the students will let it go quickly. Schoolwork doesn't leave room for things like this in the classroom. Pro has not adquately supported his attack on my rebuttal. The bedroom or library is often a catalyst to social media, thus inducing more stress coming from peers. The classroom is still the best place, where one is completely occupied by work.The Point Is The Real Problem Will Be UnearthedThe opposition does not provide an adequate rebuttal because poor ability or laziness can be spotted in school and addressed immediately.IEPAs I have addressed previously, it is busy enough in the classroom. There is no time to think about these social problems because the student must focus on the teacher/schoolwork. Homework is occasionally accompanied by social media, which is a problem.Thank you. Have a nice day.[2] http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com...[3] http://www.nytimes.com...[4] http://www2.ed.gov...