rewarding with extra credit
I have a student that has a learning disability,but her hands on knowledge is great.She did a presentation and i rewarded her with extra credit due to the effort she put into it and the presentation.Am I wrong for doing that
Hi Jason:
Some institutions have moved away from allowing the use of extra-credit due to some issues that arise.
If a student can pass a course without demonstrating an understanding of the primary concepts, that may end up resulting in angry feelings from other students who have worked hard to earn a solid grade.
Regards, Barry
Hi Susan:
Great point - if used at all, it should be consistently offered to everyone, and ideally, it should be spelled out as soon as possible.
On the other hand, the danger of using it at all is that it might allow a student who doesn't know the basic information to pass the course. How would that make others feel who do know the basic information?
Regards, Barry
Personally, I believe that every student learns in a different way. If someone is amazing at working hands on but does not test well, I feel they should be evaluated differently. I don't feel written testing should be the norm for evaluation by any means.
i agree ,some students are great with their minds and some with their hands
I think you were really looking out for the needs of this student. We know that there are a variety of ways to learn, and to allow her to show her knowledge in another way was brilliant.
The only thing that would be at all questionable is if you only allowed one student extra credit. Students who were not allowed the extra credit may feel slighted.
You are a caring and enlightened instructor. If a student has a stammering problem, oral presentations are a nightmare. Being creative by allowing an otherwise exceptional student an alternate option may be the difference in success or failure.
