Extra Credit
So many opinions...What's the right way to go? i think it's helpful, but understand the drawbacks. Is there a happy medium?
Melissa,
We can never please everyone, eh?
Anyway, I think stating as much criteria about testing, grading, due dates, and all the other kind of stuff students will complain about at the beginning of the class is important so as to avoid the "I thought you meant..."
I'd just give her the credit and take it as a lesson learned (5 years from now, will this be an issue?) Live today with as little sef induced stress as possible.
Barry Westling
I got into a sticky situation I would like to share. I gave an exam and the last question was a short answer. The students overall had a 72% average, so I decided to use the last question and change it to an extra credit opportunity. Many of the students benefit from this decision except one and of course she was very upset and thought this was unfair because it was not stated in black and white that it was an extra credit question.... thoughts?
Hi Esther:
Some institutions have moved away from allowing the use of extra-credit due to some issues that arise. If a student can pass a course without demonstrating an understanding of the primary concepts, that may end up resulting in angry feelings from other students who have worked hard to earn a solid grade.
Regards, Barry
Hi Amy:
The one danger of extra credit is that it may provide a way for a student who has no chance of passignn the course, and who can not reasonably articulate the main ideas a chance to pass the course anyway.
Regards, Barry
I struggle with this issue too. I agree that, if extra credit is offered, ALL students should receive the opportunity and not just the poor performing students. I have one example where I recently offered extra credit. My quizzes are all 50 points and 10 questions long (my subject is math). I offered an extra credit question on a quiz that I felt would be more difficult for students. The extra credit question involved a concept that I didn't have room to include in the 10 questions and I felt was challenging enough to warrant extra credit because it was an application problem. Most students tried it, and I felt great that they were motivated to attempt problem solving (an area in which most of them struggle) risk-free.
Hi Paul:
Many feel that extra credit is a negative reinforcer. For example, what if a student was just barely passing, and they were able to pass a course with the extra credit.
This may result in other students feeling resentful.
Regards, Barry
There is no Happy medium. I always allow all students to earn extra credit. It is not fair to allow a student who has been out to earn extra credit to bring their grade up to passing.
Hi Ian:
Plainly, I don't give extra credit. Like you began, been there too many times and almost always ity's problematic. I feel like it emphasizes points and grades, and less about meaningful learning.
Regards, Barry
Having used extra credit in many different ways and watched as students attempt (sometimes successful I must admit) to manipulate the system, I'm not so sure how valuable extra credit is. I try very much to not reward lack of effort so therefore the idea of letting a student who did not do sometimes in the first place earn extra credit is marginal acceptable. I like the idea of extra credit given for students who go above and beyond the classroom expectations. Recently a student who turned in a plagiarized essay and was then doing very poorly in the class asked about extra credit. I did not feel the effort put out by that student had warranted even consideration of extra credit.
Those students who finish the required coursework may do extra credit. It gives them the opportunity to use their strongest skills to learn the material. I use extra credit to bump a B student to an A; it shows me that they put in the effort to deserve that A.
Hi Hoang:
Points for class participation? Interaction is good, but I think it should be elevated to a regular assignment, that is, it is expected that students participate (because that's a big part of how they learn), and the earn the points for quizzes, written assignments, tests, lab/skill checks, projects, homework, etc. These demonstrate to what level the student has participated and retained the needed information.
Regards, Barry
Hi Don:
There is no right or wrong answer. The teacher (and sometimes the institution) has to decide what is right for them.
For me Extra Credit is about points not so much about learning, So I don't allow it. For you, it may be justifiable. But many teachers would probaly disagree with you.
So, it's up to you bud!
Regards, Barry
Giving a couple of extra credit points would make the students participate in class, but too much would not be fair.
