whether we should be setting it at all

[Maybo]

Like all teachers, I’ve spent many hours correcting homework. Yet there’s a debate over whether we should be setting it at all.

Source: Homework: is it worth the hassle? by Helen Silvester

Why is "should be setting" use and not "should set"?

 

[jutfrank]

It adds an extra meaning. To put it simply, it gives the sense that setting homework is a current trend.

 

[Tarheel]

When I was in school (a long time ago) teachers would give us homework to do, or maybe they would send us home with it, but I don't remember "setting" at all.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Like all teachers, I’ve spent many hours correcting homework. Yet there’s a debate over whether we should be setting it at all."

Source: Homework: is it worth the hassle? by Helen Silvester

Why is "should be setting" used and not "should set"?

 

[PeterCW]

When I was in school (a long time ago) teachers would give us homework to do, or maybe they would send us home with it, but I don't remember "setting" at all.

Possibly a British usage? The article is on the website of an English newspaper.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm in the UK and we were always "given homework". However, I am entirely familiar with the phrase "to set homework". It's certainly used in British schools these days (as my best friend's teenage son can attest to).

 

[Skrej]

I usually 'give' my students homework, although I also 'assign' them homework. I've never 'set' them homework, though.

I suspect 'set' is exclusively BrE.

 

[Amigos4]

I usually 'give' my students homework, although I also 'assign' them homework. I've never 'set' them homework, though.

I suspect 'set' is exclusively BrE.

@Skrej I’m glad you “set” the record straight. I’ve never heard the expression before today’s post.