Quick Guide To Who Invented Homework​ And Why?

Have you ever wondered who invented homework? Maybe this at-home assignment is the bane of your existence. Or, maybe you love learning, and homework is just another hobby or after-school activity. Regardless, discovering the history behind who invented homework can help you understand the importance of this daily task throughout your school years. Or, maybe not.

The value of homework has been debated for decades. In a research article posted by Boston University, a journalist interviewed several elementary school teachers about the pros and cons of assigning homework. They mentioned that homework can help students learn important skills and develop an early sense of responsibility. On the negative side, completing daily homework assignments can also be more challenging for lower-income students whose parents don’t have the education or time to help them with their homework. Overall, the practicality of homework can be a heavily debated topic.

So, who invented homework? And was the first homework a punishment? We scoured the web for the most accurate information to answer your burning questions about homework!

Jump to Section

• What is Homework?
• The History of Homework
• Was The First Homework A Punishment?
• Who Invented School And Why?

What is Homework?

Homework is best known as assigned tasks that students complete at home. Depending on who you ask, homework has many different reasons for affecting a student’s education. While the person who invented homework may have had other intentions, homework has evolved to help shape students' educational and professional development. From encouraging lifelong learning to reinforcing knowledge taught in the classroom, homework is considered essential for students as they set out to pursue a successful adulthood.

Teachers assign homework as early as elementary school to help students develop skills and create a sense of responsibility that will carry them into adulthood. Many opponents of homework will suggest that homework is less attainable for lower-income families with parents who don’t have the time or education to help their children complete their homework. But by providing students a quiet study space and positive encouragement, homework can teach students important habits and life skills as they continue to grow older.

The History of Homework

Who Invented Homework and Why?

So, let’s get back to our question: Who invented homework? While many believe Robert Nivellis created homework, the answer is far more complex. In fact, some historians have traced the earliest forms of homework assignments as far back as 61 C.E. when Pliny the Younger, a teacher in Rome, encouraged his students to practice their public speaking skills outside of the classroom. He believed the continued repetition and practice of speech would help his students gain confidence and expertise in their speaking abilities.

More officially, homework formed in Germany in the late 1700s. Teacher and philosopher, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, advocated that at-home assignments should be made mandatory for students in order for the state to create a more unified Germany. While Fichte’s objectives were slightly different from what we consider the purpose of homework today, many would attribute Fichte to be the true father of homework.

If homework initially took shape in Europe, how did it travel to the United States? Horace Mann (1795-1859) an American educational reformer, spent time in Prussia, where he learned about Germany’s educational system and homework practices. He brought the tradition of homework back to the U.S., where it has become a custom in students' lives even today.

Still, many credit Robert Nivellis, an Italian teacher, as the man who invented homework. However, deeper research has revealed that he may not even exist. Contradicting research points to Nivellis creating homework in either 1095 or 1905. However, education was still very informal in 1095. According to a scholarly article by Carnegie Mellon University, homework was also banned in California for students younger than 15 in the early 1900s. Much of the evidence suggesting that Robert Nivellis was the inventor of homework can easily be debunked.

Was The First Homework A Punishment?

If you still side with Team Bivellis and believe that he invented homework, a well-known myth suggests that he used it as a form of punishment. According to legend, Nivellis would assign homework to students who were underperforming in class. 

If you trace the origins of homework back to Pliny the Younger and Ancient Rome, their intentions for at-home assignments encouraged personal development and a growth mindset.  Although this form of homework was very informal at the time, the ancient teachers believed individual study and practice were a way to grow self-improvement.

Likewise, Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Horace Mann formalized homework in Europe and the United States as a way to carry on values, traditions and create a better society for future generations. Both educators saw homework as a way to meld and improve the mindset of the youth to strengthen citizenship in their countries. 

While those who invented homework prioritized carrying on the traditions and values of society, homework has also evolved to improve individuals’ lives in modern education today. Whether you're frustrated by the piles of homework assigned or enjoy filling out worksheets, homework can help improve your education and future.

However, it's important to understand the difference between quality homework and “busy work.” Too much homework can easily overwhelm and lead to mental health problems. If you or your child is struggling with a heavy workload from school, the next time you attend back-to-school night, talk to their teachers about how they can stay involved in school without falling behind.

Who Invented School And Why?

Similar to the concept of homework, school has existed informally in society for generations. Ancient versions of schools recognized the value of teaching small groups of people to pass along traditions and religious beliefs. In the United States, the earliest schools started forming in schoolhouses in the 17th century and focused on teaching reading, writing and math. Most schools required basic education for boys, and very few girls were able to attend.

Horace Mann, commonly referred to as one of the men who invented homework, could also be described as the creator of the public school system. After the American Revolution ended in the late 1700s, education became a higher priority to build up the next generation of young people.

Mann soon became the Secretary of Education in Massachusetts in 1837, where he communicated his vision of training teachers to educate students on a core, organized curriculum for a better society. The rest of the country quickly adopted his educational system and states began to require school attendance. By 1918, the government required every young person to complete elementary school.

As described in an article by the Department of Education, the Founding Fathers of the United States strongly believed that the success of a country depended on the competency of its citizens. By requiring school, young people had access to develop skills and education that would continue the values of democracy for generations.

Now you know about who invented homework and the history behind why school was created, maybe you’ll look at your assignments a little differently. While school may still be a bore to some, it also creates an opportunity for academic success and social growth for many. School and homework assignments offer a way for students to develop important educational and professional skills and have hope for a brighter future in society.

As you're getting ready to start the next school year, it’s important to stay positive and make time for homework to help you in your studies. Create a school supplies list and go shopping for back-to-school and homework essentials as a fun activity. If you’re a teacher, you can also discover back to school bulletin board ideas to create engaging and fun assignments for your students in the coming semester.

For more ideas on what to do when homework is all done, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!