Extra credit should be an opportunity for students who scored poorly on a test or project to make up some of the lost points and still have an opportunity to earn the grade that they were on target for before the poor showing on the test or project. For example, extra credit can help a "B" student maintain a "B" average even though they got a failing grade on one test or project. This can compensate for a test that was not written at an appropriate level for the students or a project that was too complicated or had too short of a timeframe. There are also some stellar students who enjoy having an opportunity to show what they can do. I keep the extra credit to a small but worthwhile percentage of the student's final point total for the class.
Marcos,
Many instructors would agree, and many institutions have adopted polices that forbid even the approval to do extra credit.
Barry Westling
Extra credit should not compensate for missing assignments and or poor test scores.
Jamie,
It's sometimes argued that our kids aren't treated the same (each with their unique differences and needs), therefore some students may benefit from extra credit. My opposition is one of fairness. Also, it's not part of the practice in real world work settings. And in the past, most students that would seek EC really didn't need it. For students who are marginal, and won't pass without EC just reinforce the case against awarding it -- they haven't mastered the material.
Barry Westling
We allow extra time to practice in the lab on allowed Saturdays to make up missed time and help with overall attendance but have opted out of extra credit due to the subjective nature of possible student/instructor debates over the giving of one and not the other. I wished student grades were 100% confidential however they will be the first to tell others why and where especially if they received extra credit and a friend does not. Defined definitions of why and where are hard to argue with subjective points awarded.
Colette,
Yep, if we want to be fair to all, an organized grading system that's applicable to all has been my experience too. A bonus question or dropping the lowest quiz score is about as close as I get to adjusting grades, as too much begins to skew the average, and my goal to accurately measure learning is compromised.
Barry Westling
I don't give extra credit and it is stated as such in my syllabus. I find that extra credit can get an instructor in trouble.
Many of our students have situations throughout the term that get in the way of their success at school.
These students will ask "what can I do to make up the lost time/work/homework etc." I prefer to have them complete the assigned work and be awarded points with a deduction rather then given "special" work to make up points. I feel this is unfair to the students who were in class every day and did what was expected of them.
Nancy,
Many institutions have adopted policies against the use of extra credit in the determination of a grade. Of course many instructors have similarly chosen to avoid giving EC.
Barry Westling
I do not give extra credit. In the real world, this does not happen.
Amanda,
Good point. For instance, I don't favor extra credit. However, I'll add a bonus question to a test, usually in the form of an essay question, that allows a student the option of just spewing out all they can (accurately) cite about the topic. These meager bonus points are added on top of the total points for the exam. Also, I'll usually drop the lowest scoring quiz. Bot these measure provide a degree of "adjustment", without skewing the overall grades that much.
Barry Westling
Tifany, I am in aggreance with you and your statement. I know there are students out there that are A students, and extra credit really would be of no use to them. But, as for myself while going through school I always appreciated the extra credit as I was not one of those A students. Not that it brought my grade up much higher then it was it still gave me the student the opportunity to show what my knowledge base was on a particular subject. Thanks for the post!
Extra credit should be minimal and not take away from other assignments/projects. I like the idea of adding an extra credit quesiton at the end of an exam to allow the student to earn a little extra points. The example given in the module was nice because, as it stated, it let the student show off a little bit. I think that can empower a student and make him or her feel good and confident in themselves.
Yvonne,
My experience is similar to yours, where extra credit is requested due to prior missed assignments or low score quizzes and exams. I want to measure learning, and a good grading system should reflect that accurately. Extra credit doesn't positively contribute to that mission.
Barry Westling
I find "extra credit" as a slippery slope to which it can snowball out of control with students wanting to take the easy way out by asking for extra credit projects in an effort to improve their grades. I would rather grade appropriately for homework, quizzes, projects and exams and not throw in "extra credit". I have seen some instructors to use extra credit liberally in order not to have to fail students who are not doing the regular work and failing conventional exams.
Julius,
I want to measure learning. Points are everything to students, and rather than quibble about here or there, if the student can satisfactorily demonstrate minimal understanding, and EC can assist with that, my take is why fret?
Barry Westling
Aileen,
Understanding and applying essential course material is at the root of most class objectives. There are many methods to achieve that. Extra credit is more of a grading activity rather than an instructional activity. If my goal is measuring learning, EC takes a lesser role. But there are benefits to giving assignments that are beyond what's required.
Barry Westling
I agree with not giving extra credit for a grade as it would be unfair to the rest of the class, but do agree it is a useful tool especially when a student has a difficult time with the concept. In the long run i would rather they udnerstand concept and implement that then just get an "A"
Extra credit in final grades should only be a supplement and not a main criteria. It could determine the difference of the student receiving a better score if there was a couple of points difference.
Michael,
Extra credit is great, more so when it is NOT tied to a grade. I'm always inspired by students who want to demonstrate their comprehension, creativity and understanding by doing something more than expected. This attitude should be encouraged, perhaps with points, but recognition and non-point type rewards are better.
Barry Westling
The extra credit should not be so excessive that it allows students to make up so much that they can not do the course work through out the semester and make it all up with extra credit.
The purpose of extra credit it is to see subject areas that they found important that maybe as an instructor, you may have missed.
