Hi Paul:
To me there is a difference between extra credit (which I tend to not support) and bonus questions that demonstrate knowledge and expressed in the students own words or manner.
Extra credit in lieu of required assignments, poor performance, or missed assignments is merely playing with grades. I would then ask, are we intested in grades or student learning?
Regards, Barry
When my students ask me about having extra credit, I used to response by saying: you earn good credit, not extra one. But I do add one or 2 questions in the test for extra credit points. In general acknowledging an extra or super effort from a student is worth recognition, and if extra credit helps that student achieve the grade he/she deserves, then I think it is justified to use it. What do you think?
Giving extra credit tends to backfire. Unless the assignments are challenging enough, then every student may want to opt to do the extra credit to help guarantee a good final grade.
I've heard of situations where an instructor used extra credit assignments to boost failing students' grades. Those assignemts were very simple and didn't really accomplish anything short of final grade padding.
I have come to value our school's policy on extra credit - there is none so don't ask. However, the instructor still has the prerogative to work with studnets and permit them to redo part or an entire assignment - not exam - to earn some of the points originally assigned to that task. So there is some flexibility to the black/white policy.
I am not one to just give extra credit for answering an extra question right. I have found that if students do bad on a test and I allow them to correct the tests - I.e. tell why the answer they got wrong is wrong and why the answer that is right is right that I will than give them some credit back on the bad tests. I find if they want to work to get a better grade than I will give it to them.
I think extra credit is great for students who are hard working but may suffer from test antiety.
It should be used only in extreme cases.
I agree out of 1000 points total I dont allow more than 10 points for extra credit and that is on the final.
I am not a huge fan of EC, but I have done it in the past. Sometimes I will add an extra credit question to the end of an exam. This question will be something that we didn't necessarily spend a LOT of time on, but that the students should know. I find that the student who continually asks for extra credit is the student who hasn't shown up for class or has continually handed in assignments after the due date.
extra credit should incouredge student to do well in their next test.
I award extra point after the maximum score.
I do not use the extra points to achieve the minimal required score to pass a test.
it is "awarding points" therefore they should be awarded once the minimal required score is achieved.
I do not award extra credit, and I simply state in my syllabus "Extra Credit is not offered at this level of education."
I agree. EC is not fair to the students who work hard for their grades.
I agree that the students asking for EC are the ones not doing well. They do need to learn how to ask for help and where to find additional resources. Giving EC can be a slippery slope.
I never give extra credit. The closest I come is if a significant portion of a class is late or not coming on time regularly, I will give a 3 or 5 point "pop" quiz on general current event questions that everyone should know, with the idea that it is missed points for those who are late.
My EC is given based solely on the students effort during the term. If I see they are struggling, I usually give them extra assessments to enhance the area they have problems on. I sometimes give bonus questions on tests to help their grade.
Hi Meredith:
Keep in mind that extra credit may be a bad idea if it allows a student the chance to pass a course when they haven't demonstrated they understand the key material.
Regards, Barry
Hi Peter:
Keep in mind that using extra credit may also allow students the chance to pass a course that they may have otherwise not passed.
Regards, Barry
We do not allow any EC in our schools. I think that students ask for EC because they discover that they are not doing well. Assgning EC is more work for instructors and if a student is worried about not doing well, they need to ask for help, use tutors ect.
Hi John:
A lot of institutions are going this way. I think the possible negative thing about using it, is that it may allow a student to pass a course even if they haven't fully demonstrated they understand the main ideas.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carmella:
Right! By allowing extra credit, we may give the idea that students can pass the course without really understanding the material.
Regards, Barry
