Extra Credit
Extra credit is a good method to help stuents earn back some points to raise their grade.
Debbie,
I want students to feel they can demonstrate their knowledge, however my "credit" I give them is in the form of praise and recognition. I used to but no longer giove extra credit due to too many problems, questions of fairness, grade inflation, and objectivity in grading. For me, I just choose not to give it. Also, the ones who usually do extra are the ones least in need of extra points anyway.
Barry Westling
I agree extra credit is a good way to give them a way to "wow" you with the knowledge they have gotten from your class. Special projects that involve the community are great, plus the added bonus of serving those around you is wonderfull.
I give extra credit periodically because some times the students do need that extra boost. I like to give them back assignments and have them correct the wrong answers and turn in the corrected answers. Then give them half credit for the answers they got right.
There are no policies for extra credit in place at my school or in the general education program, so it's left mainly up to the teacher. I don't like giving extra credit, but I do often offer to let students do revisions or alternate assignments to replace or average a particular grade.
We have a very organized system for extra credit. There are a few options given to the class, some group and some individual options. They can chose one of the options if they would like and have to let the director of the program know by a certain date if they are interested. There have been a few times where students have brought up a different option and she has evaluated at that time whether she feels it was acceptable.
