VIRGILIO,
We want to help students when we can. But I choose not to use EC, as I don't think it helps, but does promote entitlement and creates a false sense of performance in the mind of the student. EC is not a reality in the worforce, so it ought not be a part of a technical education. I find difficulty with objectively grading EC, there are nearly always issues or feelings of unfairness by some better performing students, and the biggest point is the questionable amount of learning that results. EC is about points and grades, I am interested in student learning, and if life circumstances impact learning, that's unfortunate. I will do what I can to assist, but not monkey with their earned grades. That's my choice, my opinion, my bias. Each teacher has to decide what works best for them.
Barry Westling
Angela,
Well, I agree 100%, as would the majority of teachers, and many institutions even have policies that prohibit giving EC for the very reasons you site. Also, grading EC, issues of fairness, and determing how much real learning results from EC are also pertinent to reasons not to go down that road.
Barry Westling
Extra credit is given to students who not only submitted their project on time but also demonstrated the correct method of completing a project. I subscribe to the award of extra credit because the student may have had poor attendance but is not totally the student's fault.
I work with a very structured curriculum and extra credit is not used at all. The theory being that adult learners need to strive to achieve the best they can without artificially being given a grade, they will not be offered so called extra credit in the work field therefore need to have the responsibility to complete what is expected for the task at hand.
Paula,
For me I choose not to award EC at all. It's difficult to grade objective, may be perceived as unfair unless all get the same assignment, and the degree of learning that occurs from any EC is questionable.
Barry Westling
Additional points should be clarified during the initial session and be included in the syllabus should a question arise. The point value of such should not supercede that of test or performance based components.
Sally,
I think dropping the lowest quiz score or even adding as essay (critical thinking) question on a final or mid-rerm are fine. These are different than adding extra points (extra credit) as they are bassed on student performance. Also, the minute change in grade is not significant. Dropping one quiz or homework works best when in a class that has many quizes and/or homework assignments.
Barry Westling
Does dropping a grade allow for some of the same issues as awarding extra credit. I have assigning home work and class work to be weighted at 10% of their overall grade. I beleive I may allow for one grade to be dropped since there are so many zeros for days when the student may have been absent and missed the classwork.
Kundukisa,
I am interested in student learning - not student grades. Socrates would ask questions and I suspect his method of grading was more aligned with "yeah, they got it" or "no, they've missed it". I am not a fan of EC and choose not to use it. What good is a higher grade if higher learning has not accompanied it? I say, if it's important to learning the material, it should be included in the regular assignments. No EC. My opinion - my bias. Other opinions may vary, and that's OK.
Barry Westling
In final grades extra credit should help students to improve their grades. This will be applicable to all students to maintain fairness in grading.
Sabina,
Everyone and every institution has to come up with what works for them. I find EC is mostly about grades and points, i.e., "extra", and usually has little to do with new or applicable learning. I think research assignment are a terrific method to acquire learning. It's the awarding points for it I would choose not to award. I feel if it's important enough to give any kind of grade it's worthwhile putting that assignment into the required, not option category for grading. But that's just me, my bias, and not necessarily representative of this course.
Barry Westling
STUDENT HAS TO DESERVE AN EXTRA CREDIT: HI/SHE HAS TO MAKE SPECIAL RESEARCH. I USE EXTRA CREDITS JUST FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH
Kori,
Your creativeness is commendable. For me, if the three bonus questions are important, I would just make them part of the graded quiz (or ask the questions without grading to challenge the students knlowledge). Students will come to expect "extra" in everything, and in the workplace, there is no extra credit. Very small adjustments at the end of a course seem reasonable, like a bonus question on a final exam, or dropping the lowest quiz score (in a class where are a lot of quizes). This shows some consideration for having a bad day, or recognition of knowledge above and beyond that which is required. I guess it's just the degree of EC points that seems in excess. To me, grading is the measure of learning and I hold it sacred. But I understand others differ in their opinion about awarding EC.
Barry Westling
I like to give 3 bonus questions at the end of most tests/quizzes. This gives me an opportunity to be a little more creative. Also, it allows the students to really think about what was taught.
Sabina,
For me, I choose not to offer it. Just my opinion and bias.
Barry Westling
In my opinion extra credits play big role in final: if student makes some research for extra credit hi/she improves theoretical knowlege
Karen,
I love it when students want to or are willing to go the extra mile. It can really vitalize their enthusiasm and interest in learning the material. I just choose not to award credit for it. My grading is set up for 100% of of the assignded work. Now, a bonus question or perhaps dropping the lowest quiz score (when there are many quizes) is probably OK if any "adjustment" is to be made, because it won't impact the final grade that much (5 points out of 1000 perhaps). My opinion, others have their own policies about this and it's up to them to decide what works and what they want to do.
Barry Westling
J,
For me, I say if the meaningful experience is worthwhile, it ought to be a part of the regular course assignments to begin with. Being fair and objective with the grading process is just as important in school as it is in the work setting. There is no extra credit for missed due dates or bungled work projects at work. I think we set our students up for feeling entitled (more than they already are) when EC assignments are given, although I recognize there are alternate opinions. This is my bias.
Barry Westling
I will award extra credit if it can enhance the assignment I am assigning. If they wish to do a bit extra work then I find that a low graded (2 - 5 points) extra credit assignment can sometimes create a new excitement for the subject.
