We do not use extra credit in my Program. We used the award system to encourage the students with certificates and pins at the end of the term. In my class that I teach I reward my students when we all have had perfect attendance each term. Sometimes, we play games and rewards are initiated that way.
Jodi,
Students do like recognition for their good work. I try to build in ways (other than extra credit) to reward and recognize effort, participation, and understanding.
Barry Westling
Extra credit should play a small role. You don't want to encourage extra credit because the student might slack on their actual assignments. Extra credit here and there or a little bit might be a good way to keep students motivated.
Brian,
My take on EC is less generous (not better, just different). I want to teach the best I can and work hard to get my students to learn and understand. Grades are a reflection of the degree to which a student has measured up to the requisite learning. If I want to fairly and accurately measure learning, EC can represent only a very small fraction, because to me, it's not about points and grades, but rather the learning and degree of understanding the student has demonstrated.
Barry Westling
I think that if you have enough points spread out that its not needed. The only reason I would allow it is if the whole class is doing bad. I think students need to learn to get things done and learn now than later to be accountable. Doing extra work should be the standard and not rewarded. I reward extra effort and above average work with better grades.
Wenda,
Each instructor decides what works best. I try to keep in mind what value and contribution to learning any activity I assign provides.
Barry Westling
Extra credit can be used to go into more detail about a particular topic. In the final grade, it should be help the student, but not the same value as a test. I like what the reading stated about extra credit, the idea of using extra credit to take a B student to a B+ student.
Michael,
This sounds like a good method to recognize above and beyond work. Anything that contributes to learning is probably worthwhile.
Barry Westling
I only give extra credit to students that need help in specifc areas and have DONE ALL of the class work and assignments. I do not reward students with extra credit to boost their grades if they have not done the work in the first place. Extra credit is like homework to me. It should support the lesson.
Rebecca,
Any thing that promotes learning is probably worthwhile. It just needs to be fair, available to all students, and compromise too much of the overall grade, in my opinion.
Barry Westling
I allow for one extra credit assignment per course. In doing so, I hand out the requirements and rubric to follow at the beginning of each course. Typically, I have students create a review game and/or exercise that they share in class with fellow classmates, used the week before finals. I believe this allows students to gain extra credit relevant to the class and provides extra review.
Ramondo,
Agreed. Giving away points to raise grades without demonstrated knowlege sets up the student for false expectations in the work setting, especially if the EC has been generously distributed. We don't help students by making their grades seem higher than they are.
Barry Westling
Paul,
I drop the lowest quiz score, and will give an additional essay question on a test. In both these examples, the student is demonstrating their knowledge, and the final grade (although adjusted slightly) is final -- no further adjustments.
Barry Westling
Since it is "extra" credit and not required it shouldn't be a deciding factor on a final grade.
If a student comes out at the end of the term with a 89% grade then I feel that a little extra credit to bump the student up to an A is where I will use extra credit in Final Grades.
Ellen,
Yes, if we are interested in accurately measuring learning, we can only fudge just a little or else we will skew grades and give an inaccurate picture of student performance.
Barry Westling
Okasamar,
Too much EC can contribute to artificially raising a grade so that accuracy is lost.
Barry Westling
Awarding extra credit is good,when a student really is hardworking and needs a little help.
Extra Credit should only be a small percentage of what the student earn. It should be used to stimulate thought but not replace grades. I find that usually only my A students take the time to do any of the extra credit anyway. I have been guilty of "giving" extra credit to help students along the way and I need to correct that and use it more cautiously. It should not be used to elevate a student more than a few percentage points.
Michael,
I like to provide opprtunity for and recognition of knowlege and skills learned. I try to do that within the structure of the grading system. Extra credit is a rare event.
Barry Westling
