I agree that some students are looking for ways to increase their grades vs having done the same work as the rest of the class.
The student should be graded on what they have (or haven't) learned. Much like a performance evaluation in a "real" job, they would get extra credit or bonus points for a better merit review!
Hi Linda:
Sometime semantics get in the way of a point to be made. For instance, I think your point about extra effort may help prepare the student for good workplace practices i8s excellent. And I would agree. I think there is a difference between extra work nto demonstrate performnance or knowldge skills, and awarding credit for it.
In the workplace example, do we expect the exceptional worker to rise above their peers because they will earn something extra? If so, that's the worng motivation, in my opinion. That employee goes the extra mile because they either see a need, volunteer to do extra, excel at their regular duties, or consistently exhibit exceptional behavior. And maybe a raise is due for extra performance like this. I would prefer to set up a model that teaches expectional work as daily goal.
Regards, Barry
I offer extra credit, but minimally, to my students. I have found that it is usually the good student who takes advantage of the opportunity to earn a few extra points rather than the students who are on shaky grounds with their grades. Sometimes these extra points can mean the difference between an "A" or a "B" for them, so I would not begrudge them the opportunity to make up for a bad assignment or test result. I also feel that extra credit work is good practice for the work arena. Often a bit of extra effort goes a long way in the workplace in the formation of a positive picture of that person as a valuable employee.
Hi Peter:
It can be a yes and no situation. Generally, my opinion is there is more reasons not to offer EC than to give it. I suppose there are great examples where tremendous benefit is derived froim some activity. All I can add is that if that is the case, that activity should be part of the regular curriculum.
Grade inflation, students earning grades without the skills to back them up, and general fairness to good students who do all of their assignments well are the main reasons I cite for being opposed. Also, is it learning, or points and grades that we want to achieve?
Regards, Barry
This is a yes, and no answer.
For the classes that I teach, it all depends to the students the quality of work and their involvement in their class education.
My question for the extra credit assignment is on everyday things that the students eat and the utensils that they cook the foods in.
So it a research paper that is very short, but the information that is gathered is so benifical that they can then use the information for health and life choices that they normally would not have and in turn help others .
This give the person knowledge which in turn empowers them to do more research on things that affect their lives and their customers. Not everyone submits the assignments, only those who value the benifits of the information.
Hi Joseph:
First, understand that the awarding of extra credit is an extremely controverserial subject. Even institutional policies support or oppose the practice.
For me, if you relate it to the workplace, workers don't get to miss work assignments, then make them up with some other activity. So, if we are preparing people for work, we're not really helping them.
Also, what assignment worth extra points is not included in the required assignments? And better performing students can feel it's unfair for "slackers" to get more credit for marginal performance when they've earned all their points. And I think there never should be extra credit awarded in substitution for missed or poor performance on required assignments.
The best arugument for is that some extra credit assignments can challenge good and weaker students, and I'd agree there is merit there. It's the points that really become the issue. So, one could ask, is it about the points and grade, or is about student learning and achievement.
Ultimately each teacher or institution will have to come up with their own opinions and policies. Many teachers will quite diverse oppinions different from what I've summarized.
Regards, Barry.
