How can students build complexity in their assignments?

Building complexity in assignments is essential for enhancing critical thinking and deepening understanding of the material. Comparing current assignments to past ones allows students to recognize patterns, increase their insights, and elevate their argumentation or analysis skills. This practice encourages them to explore how themes, concepts, or theories have evolved, and it invites them to engage with the material on a more nuanced level.

In contrast, repeating past assignments verbatim would limit the opportunity for growth and understanding. It would simply reiterate past efforts without adding depth. Eliminating complex discussions would strip the assignment of its intellectual rigor, preventing students from grappling with the intricacies of a topic. Relying solely on personal opinions without supporting evidence would lead to surface-level engagement that fails to develop a well-rounded perspective or critical analysis. Therefore, by comparing current assignments to previous ones, students foster a richer, more complex understanding of their work and the subject matter overall.