Should I only give extra credit on quizzes?
I never give extra credit on finals. Should I?
Alison,
If that works for you, who is to say you shouldn't do it. I come back to learning outcomes; if students are meeting them and being prepared well, than the methods are probably sound.
Barry Westling
This may go against what many believe, but I give extra credit on all of my tests. I think of it as a built in curve for a potential "problem" question or a second chance if they experienced a gap in learning/testing. My extra credit is the option to answer an additional essay question. I usually give them a selection of questions 3-4 and require that they answer 2-3 of them. If they want extra credit, they can answer the additional question.
Hi Hazelyn,
Some teachers will drop the lowest score on quizzes or ask a bonus question or essay question. To me, these strategies reinforce or demonstrate learning, and serve as an incentive, not undeserved points just to raise a grade.
Barry Westling
I don't give extra credit on finals as well. I do this during the course as part of their quizzes or a project.
Hi Andy,
Personnaly, I stay away from EC altogether. I do all I can to help students, but giving points really alters their grade and does little to help their learning. I understand opinions and policies vary - these are my biases.
Regards, Barry
I agree, extra credit should not be given on quizzes. I agree with extra credit when it is hard earned (on assignments)and gives a student a chance to be successful in the course. Younger students have not learned yet that there are consequences to their actions and need a way to recover from poor choices.
Hi Marina:
Many teachers and institutions don't allow EC on any graded assignment, believing that the stated learning objectives and existing grading system should adequetly and accuretly assess the learning that has (or has not ) occured. If it's important and worthy of receiving credit, it should be a part of the curriculum to start with.
But policies vary among institutions and teachers - each having to decide what's best for their students.
Regards, Barry
I think it really depends on the nature and subject of the course. As an art & design educator, quizzes are less used than project-based learning so adding additional research and project elements is my way of using "extra credit" to deepen the rubric of the learning involved.
Hi Darren:
In my opinion, no, never. But that's my persuasion, and opinions vary. Raising grades really doesn't address the degree of learning that may or may not have occured.
Regards, Barry
