Extra credit and Grading
Agree that extracredit must be from the things they learn and should be in such a way that helps the students.and grading always should be handed in next class meeting
James,
I believe that extra credit is more about grades, and less about learning, understanding, and applying critical, essential knowledge. But I understand that in some courses, tweaking the grades might not be such a big deal. So it really comes down to institutional policies or individual instructor preferences. In most health professions, a passing score on a credentialing or licensing exam is required. I know these tests exist to demonstrate minimal knowledge for safe practice. I'm sure they don't give extra credit. Respiratory Therapists often perform independent clinical decision making. For me, a graduate who cannot comprehend essential concepts or principles does potentially put patients at risk. That said, each instructor has to decide what works best for them.
Barry Westling
There are several threads on extra credit in this forum, and the opinions are quite diverse. Unfortunately, so is the research in the subject. It is generally concluded that students are more enthusiastic to have the option available, but unfortunately the students that could use the credit most are least likley to use it. It seems to be of limited merit.
I have also taught and practiced in the medical field for many years, and I must disagree with the argument that there is no room for error in medicine. If a newly hired surg tech hands the surgeon the wrong instrument, they may get a look of disgust, but they won't get fired and they haven't threatened any patient's safety. If there were truly no room for error why would you graduate a student with anything less than 100% on every assessment?
Larry,
Instructor experience seems to ultimately determine the value (or lack of) awarding EC. I'll give a bonus question on an exam, but that's about the extent of it.
Barry Westling
I too am not a fan of extra credit pt. When i look at what the extra credit points is for: 1) as a way to make up for missed work for absents etc. or 2) to show the student has more than the base requirments for the course?
in case one, would depend on the reason for the missed work - in my school's case the decision is up to the register for excused or not excuse absents - with excused, the student may do the missed work for full points -- w/ out i also let the student make up the missed work but for 50% of the points. this will apply to both quiz and exams.
in case two, only the students who do not need the points end up get them, setting up the situation were the student has more than 100% of the points available! this has happen to me several times in the past- so no i do not to extra credit any more!
Josette,
I lean this way as well. Perhaps there some instances where some EC is appropriate, but not in too many heath or medical programs.
Barry Westling
I am a firm believer in not allowing extra credit.
This stems from the type of classes that I teach (Surgical Technology).My students are not going to be given a second chance if they mess up during a surgical procedure nor is a surgical patient likely to give them a second chance if they do something wrong once they are in the work force. There is no room for error in the medical field so feel they must get use to that from the beginning.
Dinesh,
I tend to not favor extra credit. But if there is a way for a student to express their knowledge, in their own way, I believe there's value in that. Sometimes I'll give an open-ended essay question on an exam for the students to free-flow all they can share about the topic. And for that, I'll give some small amount of credit, depending on their accuracy and completeness.
Barry Westling
