The only time I award extra credit is when say I give a test and there is more than one correct answer to a question on that test. If the student lists all the correct answers I may be inclined to give some extra credit because I feel like they have shown that they are cabable of going above and beyond-and besides when they know all of the correct answers you know they are learning.
Melissa
Keith,
I try to avoid EC assignments altogether in an effort to be fair to all. I will make EC bonus points available on midterm and final exams.
Barry Westling
Jessica,
This isn't a bad idea. Something similar is asking a more difficult question or two that demonstrates understanding and giving credit if the students answers it correctly but no deduction if they miss it.
Barry Westling
I hate it when you offer extra credit and some don't attempt to answer it.
while i wlll not give EC that makes much of diff to a student grade, I do like the suggestion of adding an EC question to tests (for only a couple xra pts) asking 'what did you learn that i didn't test you on???' I like that angle! :-0
Nichole ,
Of course we want to help struggling students do their best. I agree EC is NOT the way to do that. I teach medical students, there can be no room for artificailly raising grades. Perhaps in some settings there is a place for EC, but as you say, it's still not fair to the students (in any program) who diligently complete all assignments and do the work expected. I just don't give EC, and I make it clear from the beginning. Students know not even to ask.
Barry Westling
None. I do not allow extra credit at all. Students should be graded on work that they have completed in the time alotted, unless other arrangements have been made. I don't think it is a good idea or fair to give extra credit, especially if it allows a struggling or poor performing student to gain a higher grade.
Leticia,
I don't like a lot of EC either, as it puts emphasis on points and grades, and mostly has little to doi with learning.
Barry Westling
I don't really give extra credit. I would rather give my students a survey at the end of the course that will require no name. In the survey they can grade my instruction, the material and what they felt like the learn the best and an the least. I feel that extra credit gives an excuse to not do an assignment that they can learn from.
Doris,
I agree. I avoid this focus-on-grades approach to course instruction.
Barry Westling
Myrna,
If so, in my opinion, this needs to be stated at the beginning of the course, be offered to all, and should not skew grade results in any significant amount.
Barry Westling
I agree that we should not be giving extra credit to students that are not completing the required course work. As a general thougt, I think that when we give the students the amount of points that they are able to get at the beginning of the class, then the student knows what they should focus on. Giving extra credit seems like we are rewarding bad behavior.
I believe that extra credit should never be given as a response to student performance. If used, it should be a planned activity that is designed to enhance student learning.
Vallorie ,
There are valid extenuating circumstances from time to time. I think that falls under the grading policies (i.e., an assignment submitted late is accepted with a slight percentage downgrade). To offer bonus points beyond the standard established at the beginning of the course is is not fair to students who completed all assignments on time, and even if all students are awarded extra points, then there is grade inflation. My emphasis is student learning. Grades and points are secondary aspects to that primary goal. But each instructor and institution has to decide what works best for them.
Barry Westling
I agree with this comment...extra credit means to me that an assignment that was expected to be completed may not have been or received a low grade. So the extra credit to me defeats that purpose, especially if the project involves one that is relevant to a deadline, like in some of the project classes I teach.
I would need to build an extra credit assignment then for everybody.
However, yes! Extenuating circumstances have to be considered out of fairness to the student--in that case, why not let them deliver the original assignment?
Renita,
Referencing the national boards, or even in the work place where there is no extra credit is a good reality checker to reinforce the point that earning point is not the focus, but learning the material or performing a task correctly is what is being measured.
Barry Westling
We have decided as a department to severly restrict extra credit. I inform the students that the only extra credit they will see will be a few questions at the end of their exams. Example: one bonus question for a 25 question quiz. Three questions for a 60 question midterm. These will need written out answers that covers the material in a more specific way. There is no guessing. They either know it or not. Their point value is always one each. When students ask for more, I remind them that what they do on their national boards stands and their is no extra credit in a hospital.
Elizabeth,
If it works for you and it's done fairly for all students, there should be no problem.
Barry Westling
I do believe that extra credit should not be worth to many points which will change a student’s grade significantly. But, extra credit can enable a student’s grade to slightly improve allowing the student to realize that they still need to improve any future test or assignments.
Matt,
Recognition is great, and I encourage that. There are many ways to give student true recognition apart from just giving away points. The toughest part of EC is that my good students, the ones who do exceptionally well all the time, turn in all assignments, and complete all that is asked of them are offended when they see others who have not earned their points getting an opportunity to receive them in a relatively easy manner.
Barry Westling
