Robert,
I agree we want to be accurate with our grading, and the goal should be to measure learning. EC kind of skews things.
Barry Westling
I do not use extra credit on finals, but i suppose it could be insentive to learn key points about a subject.
Little if you are trying to be fair. Fair means everyone is treated equally. Extra credit is not "fair" if everyone does not do.
If you goal is the student "learn", then extra credit it a good thing if it demonstrates that a student has learned the subject.
Kit,
I tend to agree, as if the information is needed for success in the program and work setting, it should required material, not optional, at the discretion of the student.
Barry Westling
The reason why I don't give EC is, If the students know the subject then they don't need EC to help their grades.
Renee, unfortunately I have to agree. My students go into surgery, and not all students who do not pass the test are necessarily lacking the ability to learn. The truth is, some do not study.
If I offer extra credit to one, I have to offer it to the next student.
Hugh,
I think an important factor is weighing the nature of the content that is being assessed, and the amount of extra credit awarded. If medical treatment, therapy, health, or public safety is among the content being assessed, I think there should be little room for artificially altering grades. A related concern is if the material relates to external credentialing, licensing, or accreditation, there ought to be little wiggle room.
Barry Westling
It is up to the instructor to award extra credit or not. My personal philosophy is that it is okay, but it must be earned and it must be limited to a few points in the overall grade. For example, it won't raise a C to an A, but it is okay to raise a high B to an A.
Maryl,
What you describe is reasonable, an in my opinion consistent with what most instructors would do under similar circumstances. The question I always have regarding extra credit is that if it is valuable enough to give extra credit it should be a required assignment, and available for all students. However, that's more my perspective and not necessarily reflective of this module.
Barry Westling
Occasionally, if there is a reason, I might give extra credit for a unit test, or for a special group project, but not for final grades.
For example, I might decide to throw out a bad question, if it was misunderstood by the majority of the class, and adjust the test grade. A group project where the students produced a video dramatization instead of the standard powerpoint presentation might be deserving of extra credit.
I use extra credit as a continuation of the course to strengthen the material covered and take it to a higher level.
Joseph,
Yep, and the real world of work rarely (if ever) gives extra credit. I feel if a topic is important, it should be required and covered in class.
Barry Westling
I will not give extra credit. We had students abusing the system and using it to not study enough. And it showed when they sat for their national boards where no extra credit s given.
Tracey,
A few bonus points among hundreds is really an incentive for listening, and in my opinion is not really extra credit. I do this and allow the student (in essay form) to tell me about a certain topoic in their own words. The scant extra points they may earn do not make or break a student, but allows them to share their knowledge in their own words.
Barry Westling
I am not "big" on extra credit except when I give a story or example that is not in the book but relevant, then I would put an extra credit question pertaining to this subject.
Jonathan,
I think bonus questions are good, especially if they are essay style, as these allow a student to share what they learned apart from a more rigid type of assessment the instructor may create. As long as we are measuring learning, I think that's fine. Too many times, EC is used to bolster grades for students who probably haven't really learned the material assigned or fairly competed with their class mates.
Barry Westling
For me, extra credit is crutch. It allows students to put off work they don't want to do, hoping that they can just fill in the points later with extra credit. Extra credit should play a minor role. I don't believe in giving extra credit assignments, but I do place a few extra credit questions on my tests.
Katelyn,
One creative way to address students with "test anxiety" is to ask them to verbally answer questions (along the lines of a special accomodation). Also I dont't use the word test or quiz; I've substituted "assessment", "performance check", or "check-up". It's surprising that by not using the word test or quiz, students feel less anxious about demonstrating their knowledge. Non-graded pre-testing is another way to practice assessment without consequences in order to reduce anxiety. Personally I shy away from EC. I feel if material is important then it should be included and required by all -- just my opinion.
Barry Westling
Sometimes a student can be VERY knowledgable but a horrible test taker, for that student extra credit can be a life saver.
Adam,
Each instructor has to decide what works best for them.
Barry Westling
