Shawn,
Many teachers and institutions will agree with your sentiments. I most certainly do.
Regards, Barry
If extra credit has any role at all, it should be minimal and not allow students to substitute it for some other assignment they either missed or did not feel like completing.
Timothy,
I understand your point. Why 5%? Why not 10%? Who says one percentage is too small or two large? I'm in medicine and my perspective is naturally more strict. Students earn their true grade based on their learning, knowledge, and performance. I could say, "do you want a "D" student who had their grade raised to a "C" through EC treating you or youre family members?" I used to give EC but found that it really doesn't help the student (it only helps points or grades). My opinion, my practice, I just don't award EC. Policies and teachers' practices vary, and that's cool. This is my bias.
Regards, Barry
This course really got me thinking about extra credit and its true purpose. Having a daughter in college, I know she likes the extra credit questions when they are on her tests to help boost a test average. I think it is acceptable to use extra credit as a chance for a person to improve their overall grade by 5%. For instance, if you have a 20 question test for a 100 points then have one extra credit question worth 5 points. It is a nice way to give a student a chance to make up for a mistake on the main test. Also, I think giving extra credit makes a statement to the students that you really do want them to do well and here is an extra opportunity to improve you grade.
Miriam,
You've made a good point about EC. I don't have issue with students doing something above and beyond what's required, it's the subjective grading and/or awarding of points for that effort that causes difficulty. Unfair, favoritism, and grade inflation are the reasons/complaints students can cite when EC is given. Policcies vary, for me, I just avoid the whole process altogether, as over the years, I've found strong students won't need it and waeker students ultimately are not helped by it (EC may raise their grade but does little to assist in their learning).
Regards, Barry
I do not let students know at the beginning of the course if I will give any extra credit because I do not want them to rely on this to boost their grade rather than study the couse content.
I agree with the course lesson which states that extra credit should only offer enough value to bring a student up from a one grade level to another (-,none,+). I don't know that it would be fair to place so much emphasis on extra credit that it could significantly change a students grade. If extra credit has that much value then it should just be an assignment and included in the grading. Most of the extra credit assignments I ever had were small and helped to present small amounts of information or simply helped me to see the relevance and enjoy the class topic.
Hi Tara:
The thing about EC is it's all about points and grades, and less to do with learning. Has that 89% student improved their learning by giving EC to bring up their grade?
Opinions vary, I understand. I have chosen to stay away from EC, and my instructional life is a lot less complicated for it. But each teacher and school has to decide what works for them.
Regards, Barry
I think extra credit should be just enough points to help the students who work hard to boost their grade. for example if a student has a 89% the extra credit could bring their grade up to a 90-91% thus earning them an A for the course.
Hi Karen:
Many institutions think as you do and are moving away from allowing extra credit in anyway for the very reason you mention - that it might allow a student to pass a course when they have not demonstrated an ability to do so.
Regards, Barry
Hi Thomas:
I find using EC for most activities does little to help a students learning (which is my job). Grading is just a measure to what degree a student learned. EC is sort of like saying "I didn't do my job" so I'll compensate with EC.
This is my opinion, others will differ and thats cool. Many teachers and schools prohibit EC because it doesn't help students, only grades.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cristian:
Each teacher and school will choose how it will address EC. For me, I feel it artificially raises grades, contributes little to learning, can be veiewed by students as unfair, and students can become expectatnt in subsequent classes to receiving EC.
Over the years, I've had more bad experiences that good, so I just choose not to give it, period. Students know that at the beginning of the course so there are no misunderstandings, and it's also stated in the course syllabus.
Regards, Barry
I usually give extra credit for certain asssignments that go well above and beyond of the curriculum. However, I do not announce or promote the EC until after the deadline is completed. I do offer this assignment to all students equally.
I believe that extra credit should be given to those who can use a boost in their grade.
Hi Michelle:
Many schools and teachers agree - No Extra-Credit! for the reson you cite and many others.
Regards, Barry
I have never been a fan of giving extra credit. I believe it undermines the importance of studying for tests and turning assignments in on time.
Hi Brenda:
Yes, I agree. All criteria for how a student earns a grade should be clearly outlined at the beginning of a course - and then the teacher needs to stick to it. One thing students don't appreciate is changes mid-stream. And, as you say, if all the material will be covered thorougly ans assessed regularly, there should be no reason for extra credit.
Regards, Barry
I think that placing limits on extra credit is important. If an instructor gives a student the point base in the beginning of a course, there should not be a need for extra credit.
Hi Maria:
If a teacher gives the whole class an EC assignment, why not just make it a required assignment?
Nonetheless, as long as policies and parameters about grading, due dates, and that sort of thing are outlined in the beginning of the course, no one can claim "the rules were changed" or "it's unfair to get a lower grade if I don't do the EC assignment".
For me, I just don't allow it and I don't have to make up special rules.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
Many teachers and institutions now frown on allowing EC in any form. In vocational settings where job skills are taught and performance of tasks is the focus, artificially raising a grade or adding points does not really measure a students learning. But it's up to the teacher and/or school policy to decide.
Regards, barry
