Extra Credit
I have mixed feeling about giving Extra Credits to my students. I like extra credit because it reward the students who are willing to go a step further in their study. On the other hand are college students too old for extra credit? I was educated in Europe and we did not have extra credit. I would appreciate your feedback.
I usually have a grading scale for extra credit which turns around 10 to 15 pts which most of the time can help some of the low test grades.
Hi Raymond,
This is a good way to give students another chance in case they really have blown a test but are still wanting to be successful. The point value does help them but doesn't replace it totally so they still have to work hard to complete all of the requirements.
Gary
In the event that a student fails an exam or written test, I allow the student the option of doing a make up research assignment (extra credit). Once completed, the maximum point value of the assignment would be 50% for the failed test. This 50% is still considered a failing grade, but isn't quite as harsh a blow as a zero-to the over all grade for the test missed. This assignment may be used once per semester. The make up work is usually centered around writing a research paper on current trends and/or techniques featured on the subject matter at hand.
Hi David,
Extra credit is a challenging area to delve into. If you are going to give it how can you be fair to all of the students?
I don't give extra credit in my classes due to some of the reasons you listed in your forum response. I do give professional points that can be earned by completing work in a timely and professional manner. I do offer students an opportunity to redo certain parts of their work if it does not meet the standards for the course. It is extra work for the opportunity to earn additional points within a category (professional points). The professional points of sufficient to help boost a student to another grade level or drop their grade if not earned. The professional points can be earned for attendance, being on time, completions of case studies, group work, etc. I keep the students informed about the number of professional points they have throughout the course phase.
I have found that it is better to give straight letter grades (A-B-C-D-F). The straight letter grades are straight forward and I don't get into point values of 1 point here 2 points there with students trying to earn a plus or minus.
Also, I have found that with extra credit there can be no limit. Students will want to earn extra credit for everything so they can pad their points.
Gary
Okay, I'm a little confused. In my "previous teacher training" I was told by my director not to offer extra credit. Then I was told if it was offered, to be fair and legal, it had to be offered to all students in the class. When I've offered it to all students, the high achievers almost always do the extra credit work and then expect points that will always put them over an "A" when the grading scale is suppose to be no higher than 100% (in other words, they expect an "A+). How do I reward my high achievers while giving points to other students that require makeup?
I like extra credit because it will usually help
those students who need just a few extra points.
It seems these students are the ones that will go
that extra step. I only give at the most 10 points.
Lydia
Our school does not have any grade flexiblity
for extra credit but the faster students
and more advanced students are usually
very enthusiastic about repairing training
aids because this usually requires work
at a higher level and presents them with
a greater challenge, and these are the
students that need it to keep their interest.
Fedele, this is an excellent way of keeping the student motivated - they gain extra points but as you mentioned, the learning experience is far greater. Great tip!
I like to use extra credit for small items, things that do not effect the students final grade a whole lot. For example I have extra homeworks that are not required for my class.
Any student that is willing to do these extra homeworks, I give one extra point per homework on thier quiz. So if someone does three of the extra homeworks I give them three bonus points on there quiz. The outcome on the final grade is minimal but the effect on the students learning experience it much greater.
Hi Jessie
I agree but, you could also give extra credit to someone who is cooperative in a manner that helps other students to succeed while they may be on the "bubble" themselves.
I believe it is not a substitute for slacking.
If you allow it happen that way you will only encourage them to slack again.
Ken Lowell
It would not be fair to the students that are giving an extra effort to stay on top of things if you are giving extra credit to those that have fallen behind in order to allow them to catch up
I give extra credit. It seems to also relieve some test anxiety.
Hi Reva,
Extra credit can be used in many different ways and you have shared one approach with the participants. Thanks giving another idea of how to use extra credit as a learning tool.
Gary
I think giving Extra Credit to students is good tool, and it usually serves as motivator. I usually incorporate Extra Credit as a Bonus Question(s). Bonus Questions are optional and it can make a difference in grades, i.e. B- A or C-B.
Hi Sandy,
You hit upon one of my concerns about extra credit. Some instructors allow enough extra credit to be earned that the students can pass the course without ever doing the actual course work. I think the students need to do the work required and be rewarded for their efforts as a result.
Gary
I dont like giving extra credit assignments,in fact they have been banned from our college... it is college and they need to be getting points for work that needs to be done
Hi Delores,
I agree with regarding extra credit it does encourage students to prepare for their exams.
Hi Abdul,
Thank you for your comments on extra credit. Each teacher has to develop their own way of handling extra credit. Your approach of not letting it exceed 10% of the total grade is a good one. Some instructors let students earn enough extra credit that they don't need to do the course project, etc. This defeats the purpose of the other grade points.
Gary
I believe extra credit will help students as long as they don't exceed 5 to 10% of overall grade and given early in the week in order to encourage students to review their material a head of time.
Other students who can benefit from these credits are those who cannot attend weekly tests on time due to sickness or other emergency. For these students the make up tests are given from 70% of the whole grade and this will be a major lost for them.
