Hi Melissa:
That's true - so should we or should we not allow it? Most institutions are hesitent to do so if it will allow a student to pass a course who has not sufficiently demonstrated an understanding of the material.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jackie:
That sounds like a fair use of it. The one concern that a lot of institutions have about extra credit is the possibility of it allowing a student the chance to pass a course when they have not really understood enough to realistically pass the course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
Most institutions are with you on this. Extra credit may allow a student who otherwise would not pass, the opportunity to do so when they have not sufficiently learned anything.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dennis:
I think the idea to be mindful of is if used, extra credit should be provided to everyone, regardless of class standing.
The concern is that it may allow a student who is barely passing, or not passing to pass the course without satisfactorily learning the main ideas.
Regards, Barry
Hi Deborah:
That's a good point. One possible neagtive thing about extra credit is that it might let a student pass the course when they have not demonstrated receipt of the main ideas.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dennis:
That's a good idea. On the other hand, the reason most institutions frown upon the use of it is because, depending on how it is set up, it can allow a student to pass a course who didn't get the material in the first place.
Regards, Barry
I think extra credit has a place as a way to allow those who put in extra effort to push their grade up appropriately. I have used having student volunteers to scale materials for the demo as a way to improve their facility with measuring and as a reward for helping me get the work done I think a small amount of credit is deserved. While the extra points alone motivates the students who need it they are still helping themselves get faster and more accurate.
The institution I work doesn't allow extra credit so its not an issue.
I like to use extra credit for students trying to achieve honors not necessarily for students trying to scrape by.
Students that have been in class and want to go beyond to get more research/inforamtion it is available, but for those who did not attend class on a regular basis I do not offer extra credit.
I thought it was the policy of AIU that no extra credit is available? It caught my eye one day on the Faculty website, I believe.
Hi Sue:
You illustrate a great point - by offering students a chance to pass the course with extra credit when they cannot demonstrate an ability to pass on their own, are they really learning anything?
Regards, Barry
Hi Darlene:
Most institutions do not allow the use of extra credit due to the possiblity of it allowig a scenario where a student can still pass the course without really learning the minimum information presented to them.
Regards, Barry
My school doesn't allow for extra credit...However, I grant my massage students with certificates that can be used in a professional portfolio/efolio for the extras...
This is easier than giving free points - when it's not an option, yet it lets the student use something for their future endeavors. Thus, they stand out when it really matters.
Hi Joseph:
Most institutions don't allow the use of extra credit, and those that do usually leave it up to the instructor.
One good guideline might be to present the extra credit to everyone on the same day to avoid the pitfall of giving the perception we play favorites.
Regards, Barry
Hi Susan:
This is a good practice in that you only provide a small percentage to be earned by the student. It doesn't create a scenario where the student can miss the entire test, yet still pass.
Regards, Barry
Hi Joseph,
You make a strong point. If a student is allowed to slip by from the use of an extra assignment, how might that make the student who is excelling feel?
Regards, Barry
Hi Alisa:
Many would agree with you. There are few instances where EC really helps students in the learning process and is more useful in awarding points and or grades, which really doesn't have too much to do with learning.
Regards, Barry
I think extra credit should be explained on the first day and should not be altered. Extra credit is not supposed to make the difference between faililng and getting an A. It is supposed to be that reward for going the extra mile. I could see it helping enough to get 1 letter grade hight, but not more than that.
For instance, I had an exam, I agreed that the test was too diffcult for the class. I alerted to the change to take a retake, but that the retake would only give them a chance to earn one higher grade, so you could not fail and then get an A on the retake.
In following this program it was stated that might have been the best way to handle such a situation. So I am glad that it is thought of that way and that I was not being too hard on my learners.
Extra credit is nice for those who want the challenge, but it should not be a major portion of the class.
We do not allow extra credit because we want students to depend on their work ethic and not being given extra assignments. Everyone should work on the same path.
