I feel like extra credit is good thing, because it rewards students who want to go a step further in their work. If you have the go to exercise this option why not, it will not hurt.
Hi Sheila,
I have the basic set of points to be earned for the course so they know what it takes to pass the course. I use extra credit only in situations that enable students to earn points if they are on the bubble between grade or if they want to take on a special project. I don't offer extra credit work just to make up being absence (not excused) or missed assignments. The reason is that some instructors offer extra credit for everything to the point that students can pass the course with little add ons of extra credit without really earning points and/or skills within the core of the course. I want my students to earn their points as they work through the course.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
How do you grade them on the extra work?
Extra credit some times help the students to upgrade their knowledge. Examples: You can ask the students for some special works after selecting a related topics. Some times extra credit also helps in clinical field.
Hi Annie,
I like your approach to giving extra credit. I think extra credit should be "earned" in such a manner as to be extra credit, not a way to fill in work not completed or classes not attended.
The rigor of the course must be protected and then extra credit can be earned. Otherwise students will use the "extra credit" as a way to shortcut the required work. For many students the earning of extra credit lets them gain additional knowledge within the course due to their dedication or desire for additional information.
Gary
I do not give a lot of extra credit. I give the students the option to complete extra assignments for a minimal amount of extra. Most of the time the extra credit is 5-10 pts. This is not enough to significantly change their grade but it could save them from failing.
HI Delores,
Extra credit for work is effective depending on how you use it. There are many different ways of integrating extra credit into your grading scheme. The key is to make sure extra credit is given for additional work. The key skills and course content has to be acquired in order to turn out high quality graduates. There are many different ways for you to get your students there.
Gary
I feel that extra credit help the students that are failing and it encourage students to do their homework and help prepare them for exams.
Hi Anne-Patricia,
I don't give extra credit but I do allow the students to earn professional development credit for doing certain projects as support their field. Example, they can interview a person in their field and write up the results or I give them a space on my tests to tell something they have learned that I did not test them over. This way I can become aware of their study patterns and what they are perceiving as being important.
Gary
