I agree with you and believe that offering students extra credit to move to the next level can be effective and fair.
Hi Bobbi:
Many institutions have a similar policy. Their rationale is sound, however, arguments can be made in favor for or against offering EC.
Regards, Barry
Extra credit is not allowed in our school.
Bobbi Bricker
Hi Greg:
I think you've got a good approach there. Of course, grade are a very private matter and must be safegaurded.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dixie:
You've got a good way of handling EC. And I agree, often the student who need the points the least are the ones that doo everything assigned. I think EC should represent only a very small portion of a students overall grade.
Regards, Barry
Hi Loren:
Personally, I think students need time to review and relfect on their daily studies. I suppose if these points are added to the regular quiz points, it helps the grade. But if there are students who need to "digest" some, and do poorly, I don't think that should held against them. Now, if the pop quiz is 5 points out of 1000, and there are only a handful, that's prpobably not going to affect the overall grade that much.
Regards, Barry
I give extra credit in the form of a suprise POP quiz. It compounds the learning from the days lecture and helps to reinforce the information given. It allows for 5 extra points if the students get it correct, so it offers a bit of a perk.
Extra credit can be the difference between a B+ and an A-. It won't save a person from failing. In my world, I won't accept extra credit from a student unless they have completed required credit assignments. Thus, the meaning of extra is utilized. (i.e. if a student turns in something late so points are deducted, the extra credit can help them to get their points back.)
Extra credit should be available to those who complete the other assignments. Grading should not be based on the rest of the people in the course, but earned individually. Most of all, grades should be personal and private, not announced to all.
Hi Colette:
I prefer not to use EC myself. But I suggest if and when others do, it represent a very small portion of the overall grade, and not be a substitute for missed regular assignments or poor performance in the class.
Regards, Barry
Currently, I offer extra credit only when I want students to try something new, something at which they might not be immediately successful. For example, if we've studied poetry, they know about it; now I ask them to try writing it for themselves.
I add the points to the "Participation" or "Professionalism" category, which includes attendance, so most people have a few missing points there. I've noticed, though, that people with 100% points in that category nearly always make the extra effort, even though there's no obvious point benefit. I think that willingness to do whatever is asked is part of the reason they're already at maximum points!
Hi Gregory:
Boy, I agree. EC to raise grades focuses on points and grades, not learning or improved performance. If students can't get the essential material, I don't think they should be rewarded with points from another activity that wasn't assigned. Many teachers disagree with this practice - these are my sentiments. In fact, this whole category of EC is very controversial. So I usually try to stay claer of expressing too much my persoanl biases.
Regards, Barry
I teach at the same school and I agree it has to be an all or none situation with extra credit.
So making sure the other instructors on the other schedules are doing the same thing is very
important. The students would know or find out.
They know a lot more then it seems - that is why it is so important to be clear and fair.
In my opinion, extra credit is to enhance the core knowledge of the course. If the students are doing it to raise grades, you must either reevaluate your instruction plan, the students progress, or both.
I am all for extra credit as a tool to take learning to the next level on Blooms Taxonomy but against extra credit as a compensation tool for poor grades (with exceptions of course).
Hi Joannie:
Your particiaptaion category is a graded component of the whole course grade, so it really isn't extra credit. I think having an area for some subjectivity by the instructor is good, and you participation component fits that definition nicely.
Regards, Barry
Hi Tracy-Ann:
Nothing is wrong with a few extra points. I think our primary role as teachers is to assure the student has learned the required material. I would not pass a student (via extra credit) if I felt they were deficient with needed course content. Perhaps in some courses it's not as important. But in others, (medical, legal, business), some material just absoultely must be mastered because the results of their "learning" may affect the lives of others.
Regards, Barry
I agree. If a student has done every assignment to the best of their ability and come short in the grading system, I will allow for an extra credit assignment to assist them.
I have also instituted as a part of the grading system a participation grade, which helps as far as the extra points needed.
The final grades for any course is the most difficult one of all because that may count for 20% of final overall grades for that class. Sometimes given 5 bonus questions will help that student make the required grade , so it should be consider.
Hi Kevin:
I agree. Students should learn what is expected and assessed a grade based on the course objectives before anything extra is added. Students who do all of their work the best they can can feel slighted if they see lesser performing classmates getting underserved credit. So you're right, any EC should be minimal, and if used, it's got to be fairly distributed to all students.
Regards, Barry
Barry,
I think extra credit should play only a small role towards the final grade. Extra credit should be used sparingly and with extreme fairness.
Hi Enrique:
I think a small amout of EC is OK, but only if it does substitute for required work. A student seeking EC when they haven't completed all other required assignments is not fair to students that are compliant.
What really matters is what learning has occured. A teacher can have points and assign grades, but if students haven't learned all they should, the points really matter little.
Regards, Barry
