I used to use extra credit as a means to motivate students to do just a bit more. Never more than 10% of possible score. My school no longer allows extra credit, so I assign more homework instead.
I FIND THAT AS SOON AS STUNDENTS REALIZE THAT AN INSTRUCTOR WILL ALLOW EXTRA CREDIT, THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION IS LOWERED IN THEIR EYES. THEY DO NOT TAKE DUE DATES AND ASSIGNMENTS AS SERIOUS AND WILL "SLACK" ON THE WORK EXPECTED OF THEM. I THINK THEY JUST BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN SIMPLY DO EXTRA CREDIT AT THE END OF THE TERM TO GET THEIR GRADE BACK UP. THIS IS WHY I DO NOT ALLOW EXTRA CREDIT. I WILL ALLOW MAKE -UP WORK DUE TO EXCUSED ABSENCES BUT THIS IS CLEARLY OUTLINED IN THE SYLLABI HANDED OUT ON THE FIRST DAY OF EACH CLASS.
I teach at a Technical school where we prepare the Adult Learner for real world assignments and labor. Extra credit is only good for students that are ahead of the syllabus not when they are overloaded. Sometimes if the student ratio is 50/50 of students on schedule with the syllabus content I will throw in some extra credit for the hardwork they preceded. Final grades are not to have extra credit in them unless it is a completed task on students own progression.
Josh Leas
Hi Victor:
Each teacher and institution has to decide to waht degree (if any) extra credit is allowed. Many discouarge it's use, especially in profressions where the health, safety, or welfare of people will be a factor.
Regards, Barry
I was comparing trade school to field work the student will be trained in.
I seee no correlation between extra credit and what you just stated. I think used properly it is a wonderful motivational tool.
I like the idea of adding a 2-4 point essay question to the exams all thru the course. It gives everyone an equal chance to get a little bonus. It's fair, and it doesn't give prefernce just to the people that ask for it, it's available to everyone.
I believe it should be given to those students that have shown hard work and dedication, but may have preformed poorly on a few assignments, and are looking to improve their final grade. However, I do not believe EC should be so substantial that it will become a make or break situtatuion when it comes to the final grade for the course.
Extra credit can mindset fales standards for field preperation .Most times employers and customer expect a certain level of performance from the employee,there is no extra pay with the exception of the quarderly evaluations which also may not come with pay raise .
I normally do not award extra credit. If students have a low grade on an exam, I would rather give another exam that is not as difficult on the same subject in order to give them another shot at understanding the material. I also try to make the exam very specific and clear so that the students get a better understanding, a higher score and a higher self esteem. I noticed it makes them feel encouraged to work hard and not give up. The response is of relief and very positive encouraging/motivating).
Our school does not allow extra credit. It used to but it has decided that it will not anymore. I like this because I do not have to be aware of extra credit projects and grading is more objective based on what is being taught in the syllabi. In addition, some students apparently were using the extra credit avenue to increase their grade score rather than completing the weekly course materials.
I believe extra credit should only be used as a reward for students who have completed all required matter in a course. It should be used to help the student who had a slow start and has done everything they could to make up for it. Or for a student who has done exceptionally well throughout the course, but had one bobble. I do not think it should be given to the student who has not completed everything they could have and now at the end of the course wants something to bring their grade up.
Hi Emily:
I don't give extra credit, based on past experiences where it has done little to really help the student learning. EC seems more focused on points and grades, and less on learning. I want the student to know their subject matter, the grade is less important.
Regards, Barry
Awarding extra credit can be tricky. As stated in the course, extra credit should not be more imporant than the actual work; otherwise it should be added to the regular cirriculum. Extra credit should be awarded to help those whom are doing well but may have had a bad assignment or test, in order to make up for that.
Hi Richard:
I don't give extra credit, and many teachers and institutions have adopted similar policies.
Usin a work example, an employee with a particulark skill deficiency is given training to improve it in order to be productive and efficient at their job. Failure to learn that skill may mean reassignment or loss of employment.
In the classroom, objectives and skills are taught, practiced and assessed. Poor performance may require additional instruction, but not rewarded by substituting extra points for falling short of the measured learning.
Extra credit leans towards grade inflation, is often not graded consistently, is requested by students who have not completed the regular assignments adequately, and stronger students may feel their hard work is not recognized.
Not is every case, but I think extra credit is more about points and grades, and less about assuring adequate learning has occurred.
My opinion for my classes: I don't give it and have lots of failed past experiences to justify that sentiment. One factor is my profession is medical, and in too many learning situations, there can be no room for "almost got it". That may not be so true for other courses where saftey or health and welfare are factors.
Regards, Barry
I like to keep it under 5% of the total grade but encourage it at every turn. It makes students feel more empowered.
Extra credit, I fear, is often used to supplement and forgive a failure of classroom understanding. And if we are truly attempting to make our students ready to compete in the world, it is precisley the "second-bite at the apple" idea that extra credit promotes which is often not reflected in the world and is therfore misleading. Extra-credit should be a second chance with consequences not a second chance to maintain the staus quo, which in this case is the staus quo of classroom failure. I use extra-credit as a means to resolve classroom confusion not to be used as a blind-eye to classrom failure.
I very rarely have needed to incorporate extra credit assignments into my course. The occasions I have usually come about because of the students lack of experience and proper background. I sense their struggle and frustration and seek a way to present important materials in another way while allowing them to improve poor test scores.
I tell my class that there is no extra credit for the classes that I teach. I used extra credit once and it became a hassle after that as the students kept asking for extra credit to boost their grades.
i award extra credit to my students by giving them a pizza party or bbq for going above and beyond. it does not have an impact on their grade,but it gives then incentive to try harder.
