Chris,
Adjusting a grade with the specific circumstances you describe seems perfectly reasonable. However, what is done for one ought to be done for all. When I began teaching years ago I felt I was helping student's if I awarded grades with added extra credit. I learned two lessons. One is students learned expect it. The other lesson is my belief that extra credit is simply about points and grades with little to do about learning.
Barry Westling
In my experience as a student, extra credit only made it possible to raise a grade by a minus to a plus within a letter range (i.e. B- to B+, B to A-).
I tend to be against extra credit unless it requires an effort to complete to be worth the points that will be given. Otherwise, students may not put as much effort into the required material since they can make up points more easily with the extra credit.
What role should extra credit have in final grades? Instructors have to be very careful about using extra credit within their courses.
Extra credit is not offered to make up for an exam the student "bombed" (failed by double digits)or for failed assignments that require more than a little boost. An example of the role of extra credit is for those students who are teetering between letter grades. Perhaps they have a 89.4% GPA as their final in Anatomy. If extra credit were offered it may provide enough of a "bump" that the student would end up with an "A" as their final GPA.
Ann,
I like this particular learning assignment - I call mine "In the News". The assignment is given to all, is not graded per se, but is accounted for in the professional development portion of the component grading.
Barry Westling
Extra Credit is over rated, no pun intended. The one's that want extra credit are the students that do not need it. The lazy students want an easy grade. Every week I as for a current event associated in local and to date health issues. After the first week, the second week, it was like a contest, trying to out do the other for a better story. This type of extra credit is worth the points.
Rtee,
Students often feel that extra credit is awarded arbitrarily, and grading is subjective, so in a way, they may feel it's unfair. I would just say if extra credit is an acceptable practice, it should outlined beforehand, and the criteria for awarding assigned. That way, all students have the same opportunity to utilize it if they wish, and everyone knows exactly how it will be graded, and what contribution to their grade extra credit will supply.
Barry Westling
Since I teach graphic classes...drawing and rendering, I do award extra credit. I find that the more they produce, the more they are utilizing their drawing skills. Some people start off with a strong skill set so they have an advantage while others have never drawn in their lives. Besides finishing the assignment designed to teach learning objectives in which they are graded by a rubric, I offer extra credit to push students who want to further challenge themselves and do more or to help students who weren't strong, further build their body of knowledge. So by the end of 10 weeks, both sets of students show improvement of drawing/rendering they wouldn't have thought possible.
Jantez,
Each has to decide what is the best approach, given the unique circumstances, student situations, and being sure to be aligned with school policy.
Barry Westling
What role should extra credit have in final grades?
Extra credit can be helpful for those that need that extra point or push over into the next grade, especially if they are close to failing. However, I don’t assign a lot of extra credit points because some students feel that this is the way to keep from failing. If someone is not doing the regular work, extra credit will not make up for it. I also communicate the value and importance of ensuring the regular tasks are done along with extra credit.
Jantez Taylor-Harrington
Lisa,
My opinion is grading should reflect learning. Ideally, no one should exceed 100%. If giving EC raises a grade even a little, I have to wonder if that is more related to points and grades than it is to learning. Each has to decide whats works best for them.
Barry Westling
This was most interesting to me as I have had students who do the extra credit that do not need it and end up having a percentage of 110% but others need it to pass. I have to rethink how the extra credit is effecting everyone. Should those students with the 110% not be getting that type of grade??
Kizzy,
Many instructor share this exact sentiment. Work for, and earn your grade.
Barry Westling
None. I feel that awarding extra credit is like praising someone for doing exactly what they are supposed to do. Although I'm not as harsh when I explain my rationale to the students, I make it clear that hard work is rewarded.
Mindy,
There is merit in building a students confidence. Not sure if extra credit is the best way to instill that. Whatever works, is fair, and available for all.
Barry Westling
Our policy is no extra credit. I don't believe in extra credit to replace a bad test score, but it would be nice to be used for those students who are in need of a point or two to boost there grade from a 88% to a 90%. Two points of extra credit can keep a student motivated. In a case like this. The two points won't help students that are not on the cusp but it will help to boost confidence. Two points higher on a test is two points higher which helps the students who may not be good test takers.
John,
It's possible that some forms of extra credit might be legitimate ways to measure true learning. In my profession (medicine), there is a body of knowledge that must be demonstrated, with little room for stretching grades a bit. But if a system works for someone, I'm sure the students appreciate the gesture.
Barry Westling
Christina,
Yeah, I'm with you. Although I would like to see improved grades, I really want students to earn those better grades (rather than issuing easier "point-generating" assignments). My goal is to measure learning, and usually, EC skews that measurement.
Barry Westling
I feel strongly that extra credit should show learning above and beyond what is initially instructed. It should show that the student has paid attention to the coursework and has applied themselves to the knowledge that they are learning.
Students love to get extra credit, but it isn't something I allow often. I try to teach the students, they can not get by in life on extra credit. Focus in class, take good notes, and studying hard will grant them all the credit they will need.
Kelvin,
Usually it's used not "learn points", but to give away points from easy assignments that affect grades (but usually contribute little to learning).
Barry Westling
