I do not use extra credit at all. I have tried it in the past, but it does not bear good fruit...poor students try to use that instead of doing the regular coursework. I have also tried a "you must have all regular work turned in before you can get extra credit points" policy, but that just meant that my best students did extra work that they did not need, and I had more grading to do. So - no EC for me.
I do not use extra credit at all. I have tried it in the past, but it does not bear good fruit...poor students try to use that instead of doing the regular coursework. I have also tried a "you must have all regular work turned in before you can get extra credit points" policy, but that just meant that my best students did extra work that they did not need, and I had more grading to do. So - no EC for me.
Hi Rosamond:
Many teachers and institutions would agree with minimal to zero EC beining awarded. Learning and being capable may be minimized when EC is awarded.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rebecca:
For me, EC is more about awarding a grade or pointys iun a course, and less about learning. Each teacher and institution has to come to it's own rationale and policy regarding EC.
Regards, Barry
I think extra credit is an excellent form of motivating students to be higher acheivers
I found this topic to be really interesting because as a new instructor I was not really sure what to do with extra credit. This topic helped me to decide that an instructor needs to be careful about applying extra credit.
Extra credit shall play a role in a students final grade if it was part of the curriculum, on the syllabus, and earned by the students.
I do not feel extra credit should have a role in final grades. The course is designed in a certain way, with opportunities for all students to earn an A. If clearly laid out, students will know what they need to do, and the instructor can go over these guidelines with the students to help the student determine how they might still get an A (or pass, or whatever). If the student cannot complete the assigned work, why should they be given alternate work to raise their grade?
Hi Derbe:
I agree and many institutions and teachers would also be in agreement. EC may have a very limited place in certain classes, but generally, I feel if the content is important enough to receive credit, it should be included in the curriculum to start with.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
Although there probably instances where some form of bonus point (say, on a final exam), or in certain classes where the the students creativity is being assessed, I agree and do not use EC. If it's important enough to be graded, it should included in the total course points and so stated at the beginning of the course - not as EC but as required credit for required assigned. Graing is according to performance.
Many teachers and institutions have polices that flatly do not permit EC; I am in that camp.
Regards, Barry
I like to give extra credit when I know the students are really trying hard in the course and their grades are not up to par. I do not believe in giving extra credit when the students don't won't to do their work.
Yes, I think extra credit should be miminal if the teacher is putting out great work and planning well for their classes.
Simply put: none.
I see extra credit as a way for students who have not given their all during the course to be rewarded.
Extra credit should NOT be given! The objective of formative and summative assesment is to reflect on the teaching and learning outcome; To see if students have learned and to see if instructor has taught effectively. It should NOT be based on passing quiz/exam. The objective is to achieve the goal of a course within prescribe time and with the given course content. Extra work is out of this limit.
THE ONLY TIME I GIVE EXTRA CREDIT IS AT THE END OF A TEST. TO PROMOTE READING OF THE CHAPTER, FOR THAT QUESTION NOBODY KNOWS WHAT I AM GOING TO ASK. BUT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE ANSWER BECAUSE THEY READ THEIR ASSIGNMENT.
I agree with other teachers that the students who request extra credit are generally the ones that are habitually absent/tardy, or do not seem to put forth a good effort.
I generally send out a midterm evaluation (via email) after the course is halfway completed--this includes the students' midterm exam grade, their total midterm average, and some commentary from me on how they can improve their grade. This is a good way to notify the students in writing or email how they are doing.
Generally the week after midterms, I will pass out an optional extra credit assignment to the whole class. I generally make this some type of essay.
I grade on a weighted system, so each type of assignment is worth a particular percentage the students' final grades. (Participation = 10%, Homework = 20%, etc.) Generally what I do is find the the lowest overall weighted grade for the class--say, the lowest class average is the quiz grade; and I make the EC project worth an extra number of points to go toward their overall quiz grade. I do not usually make this worth too many points though--it will generally be enough to take someone with a 68-69% and put them at a 70%
I never make the EC project an extra homework assignment because it is too easy to cheat outside of class. An essay project is something that I can actually evaluate for quality, as opposed to right or wrong answers.
Extra Credit can be a way to have students expand on information that they have learned in class. Demonstrating creativity by developing a power point presentation, bringing in a guest speaker to enhance the course subject, etc.
The policy at the school where I am employed is no extra credit. At first I didn't understand this policy as I remembered during my own education it was a way of increasing your grade if you had not done well on a test. After giving so thought to this matter and reading some of the respnses, I can understand the policy better. First of all, I view tests as not only a method of evaluation but also a learning experience. A test should help you see where you need to go in your learning and also help you become a better test taker. It should also help you interact with your instructor to obtain the goals that are outlined in the course syllabus.
Hi Joshua:
If used, extra credit should be made available to everyone with the expectations clearly laid out as early in the class as possible.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sara:
For the reasons you mention and others, most institutions frown upon the use of extra credit. Using it may allow a student who is really not passing the chance to do so when they can not demonstrate they understand the core material.
Regards, Barry
